How to Find Your Art Style | Sam's digital art tips

a lot of you guys asked me how I found my style in our instagram poll, so here's a video explaining how I did it, and how you can use the same method to find your own style! ✨

Artists mentioned in this video:

[Kei-xcjf]

"A good composer does not imitate; he steals." —Igor Stravinsky

I know this quote is from a musical composer but the essence of the message being said here can be applied in art as well.

[joshuarosal]

From Bert Dodson's book Keys to Drawing:

COPY to gain a felt sense of what the term "handwriting" (with artists this refers to our analytical and intuitive way of putting down lines) means and to become more intimate with an artist you admire, choose a piece of work and try to duplicate it.

EMULATE after copying another artist's work, see if you can do an original drawing in that artist's hand. Through the act of becoming another person, you will find yourself doing surprisingly fresh and interesting work.

Always glad to hear this advice from other artists, at least I know I'm going the right direction.

[phoebeahn]

I’m glad that you addressed the fact that your art style isn’t set in stone and will change along with you 😊

[kaylin]

your one of the artists I look up too!

[ExplodingDice]

I've always said that a person's "style" is just a combination of their influences, and this is true regardless of what the medium of art is. We all become artists because we see inspiration in people's work around us and it lights that fire in us. And who you are exposed to and what you see will become the pieces that make up how you create. A person's style just becomes a process of picking a little bit from this person, and a little bit from that person, and a little from someone or something else. And in the process of taking little bits from other artists, you put together with your own little idiosyncrasies and methods, and end up with a new amalgamation that is distinct from all of them, and that's you.

[samarah]

“You need to look at other people’s art, people who inspire you”
That’s why I’m here!

[Bee]

I know this is unrelated but your voice is so calming, it’s like art asmr lol (great video btw 🥰)

[kelcsticks]

This has made me feel better for not having a set style yet, I still need to learn the groundwork autonomy behind everything and that's okay

[fattimmy]

This has honestly helped me. My art style is between Disney's old school style, and Fairy Tail and Bleach styles. I grew up watching those movies and animes and it has influenced my art so much and now I feel more confident that my style IS my style.

[ReaderRayna]

If you look at my art from a year ago to now, it's completely different. I fluctuated between several styles for a few years before I settled on my current style, but even in my current style I am still trying new things, implementing small elements of artists I look up to into my own work, while also keeping some of the way I do my own thing in there, too. I'm always looking to improve and change in my art. I don't really know where I'm headed or what I'm aiming for, and I think that's kind of the point! Great video and advice!

[scoldingtissue]

When I started drawing I kept watching videos on how to find my art style but I couldn’t even draw a stick figure. So moral of the story is that if your a beginner don’t get discouraged if you don’t like what you draw or don’t like your “art style”, first get good at drawing different styles like realism, cartoon, etc. and then try to look for your art style.

[aynjuhl]

the part where you said about how you were having a really hard time trying to break free from the photo realistic proportions is so spot on with my current situation. that’s what i needed to hear to realize what’s been holding me back from improving. i feel restricted by trying to make things look realistic. this made me look back at all my previous arts and realizing that the ones i actually am proud of are the ones that were created with my own style. they aren’t realistic but they are much better. I was on a artist’s-block for a while now but now i’m inspired again. so thank you!!

also this goes without saying, you and your work are obviously an inspiration of mine <3

[KarenKintanar]

You draw with only one layer?! Amazing O_O

I love how you address how some artist kind of judge you if they see you copy another artist. You gotta start somewhere

[theprofessor]

i feel like you’re speaking to me directly with these videos! first, your insights with wanting to simplify things in your art, now it’s the ‘fear’ of losing ig followers! It’s always so relatable and I feel like if I could relate to you on things, then I could also push to be better at making art like you!

Just can’t thank you enough! 🥺 The channel is growing! 12k strong now!

[jikito]

When I'll go pro, I'll talk about you as my inspiration during my art journey. Keep the good stuff!

[revuart]

Ohk I am currently struggling to find my art style and this video is a blessing!

[jonahmudlaff]

Hoo boy I feel like I am re learning everything about art now that I am trying to learn digital painting. I just need to keep it up or else I wont improve.

[zamnovgaming]

Watching this now, damn sam you have improved a lot over two years.

[pointandshootvideo]

IMO, your initial focus on realism helped you perfect the fundamentals and that's why your anime style looks so good. Values, lighting, proportions, etc...

[grr_chongyun]

I was actually really disappointed in my art today cause it didn't turn out the way i hoped... but then I found your channel through Amanda, and clicked on this video!

The way u explained about how art styles change and how they grow with you ( with your calm voice) it somehow put me to ease and somewhat eased my anxiousness.

And about my favourite artists, I think I can currently call your art as one of my favorites. It just clicked with me!!