Finding Your Style to Create Art

I can't tell you the number of students that ask me about this. In this video I'll show you 12 students who all painted the same thing, and how different each student is one from another.

They can't help it. That is the point. Your style is as unique to you as your handwriting. You can't hide it even if you wanted to.

What you need to do is put the foundational skills in place so you can give expression to it.

[JGalegria]

"you can't hide your style" brilliant 😎 yes I'm attracted to back lighting, translucence, letting the medium or materials speak and guide the outcome, intuitive processes.... etc 🙏🦋

[peterjager]

It`s never too late to learn ! I`m 78 years old and have started a new life - with painting. It`s a grate adventure for me ! Thank you very much - I enjoy your videos more than any televisionpicture !

[abebesi]

I discover my style erlier but it took me years to accept what I really become. Today, on the first day of 2022 you helped me assert my thought by sharing the truth about having my own Style.
Thank you

[robinbruscato]

I just started drawing again after 40 years of working. I had enjoyed drawing and print making for 15 years before that but stopped to pursue a career in Nursung. Heading into retirement I am crazy excited to pick it up again. You are amazing and I enjoy your style, color and presentations on the various aspects of painting that are bringing me back and up to date. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and knowledge. Best for health. Robin

[Wendy]

Finding your passion can be so cliche applied to creativity. There is this romantic societal notion that artists are long-suffering martyrs. Exhuberant expression of the self is beautiful and moves away from that self-destructive path. Thanks for this video!

[nancywhite]

Great exercise: mix my 'own' pink-purple-blue-10% green from
a limited palette of ultramarine blue, alizarin and cad yellow light. Plus white.
Thank you, Ian, brilliant as always

[samahsamir]

I liked this content a lot. This is one of the videos that helped me the most in my life. I study at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Egypt, but when I asked the doctors about this topic, they did not give clear answers. I used to think that there are hidden steps that I must take, but now I discovered that the secret is within us. There is no hidden secret that it is only us

[orcamum]

First of all, I must say that being a watercolourist I don't really watch videos about oil painting.... and here I am, having stumbled on one of your videos, then having a fast look into your channel and one hour later still watching your videos and just now subscribing.... you've drawn me into your painting sir and kept me "watching and watching" as you very well put it in one of your videos!Lol! I love the way you talk about it all! Thank you!

[donnaweintraub]

Well, it's 2022, but your wisdom is timeless. Appreciating you and grateful you are available on YouTube. Thank you

[Argyll]

Some things in life are self evident and our 'style' of painting is one of them and it comes from what's inside.

[CatherineGrenfell]

Thank you! Now I can stop wondering about 'my style' and focus on skills. So glad I found your channel.

[Jacklette]

the year 2023 has just begun and I enjoyed this video very much as it took away the pressure that I HAVE to find my own style! Thank you so much for your lovely explanations which help in many ways. 
Fabienne, Munich/Germany

[KathyBrooksArt]

This was eye opening for me, thanks. I am looking forward to learning more about why we desire to emulate the style of artists we are attracted to, which I find myself feeling much of the time. So glad I discovered you Ian, and looking forward to continuing to learn from you about composition and so much more. Thank you for your generosity and kindness. You are an amazing teacher.

[louisestaats]

4:00. I noticed this a an art class the library had. About 30 students. Not one painting was like the other. It was amazing. Every one of them had their own charm.

[Nonduality]

As I work on a piece, I'm always asking myself, "Is it beautiful?" I learned that from the architect Christopher Alexander. .

[paiger]

when the 12 paintings came onto the screen I started to tear up and cry. art is so wonderful Praise the Lord

[Grumpysusie]

Boy oh boy! THAT was a game changer for me...thank you so much for breaking down the wall that has held me back. I have always struggled with self esteem, lacked the ability to believe that I'm actually an artist no matter how many times my husband and family and friends call me an artist, I could never say it, because I thought I had not developed my own artistic SIGNATURE! You have no idea what this little chat has done for me. You have single handedly wiped away years of self doubt and thoughts of failure. Thank you so very much.
Recently, I slightly came out of my self-loathing (artistically speaking of course) when a very accomplished artist from India commented on my work in this way, "her work is very childlike." I went back and looked at my work and realized that it's true, I can see me, as a child, in my work and only then did I realize that I do actually have a touch of my own "style." But now, with what you said, I realize that my work is just that...it's mine and only mine no matter what I'm painting or how I'm painting...I'm me and no one can paint like me, and I can't paint like anyone else either. I can learn from their skills that I may not have yet, but we are always working on that, aren't we! Thank you again...I feel like a new person today, a new me! Muah!

[alexandrah]

I know it’s been ages, but can I just say that it’s precious that you darned your elbow? Appreciating the mending so much, as a knitter as well as a painter.

[dutchamericanman]

Your videos are so helpful. I watch these as often as I’m able, and I apply what I learn. My process makes more sense, it’s sustainable and repeatable, and I’m grateful to you for every lesson. Thank you, Doc.

[AJ.-dw]

I have been painting for over 50 years, yet I learn a lot from you!! Thank you!!!