Develop your own artistic style - acrylic painting - 5 key steps

Cultivate Your Own Artistic Voice in 5 steps
Many artists, drawn to acrylic painting or abstract art, struggle to find their own unique style. They spend hours searching for inspiration online, feeling overwhelmed by the vast array of artistic approaches. But what if the answer isn't out there, but within you?

This is the message The Old Guy (artist Henrik Skorá) delivers in this encouraging video.
Instead of desperately hunting for a style, you should focus on cultivating the artistic style you already possess.It's a personal journey, and this video offers a 5-step approach to guide you:

1. Paint as much as possible. Consistent practice is the cornerstone of artistic development. Think of it as an artistic marathon, not a sprint. Don't overthink every stroke. Trust your gut and paint freely. This initial effort becomes stepping stones in your artistic evolution, helping you discover your natural preferences for subjects, colors, and techniques. Acrylic painting, with its vibrant colors and fast-drying nature, is a great medium to experiment with.
2. Master the Craft: This involves learning the fundamentals of composition, which helps arrange elements in a visually pleasing way. Understanding color theory, how colors interact and mix, unlocks a vast palette of possibilities. Additionally, exploring various painting techniques, like those used in abstract art, expands your artistic toolkit.
3. Develop your process: Every artist develops a personal approach to their work, a painting process that hugely influences their style. Some say that your process is your style. Experiment until you find a workflow that feels natural for you. Basically you must develop a plan on how to approach the painting process in practice.
4. Seek Inspiration: You can do this in many ways.
Study the work of other artists, both within acrylic painting and other styles. Let their work inspire you, but avoid simply copying it. Instead, identify elements you admire and incorporate them into your own work, creating a unique blend of influences.
5. Courage: Mistakes are inevitable, and they are valuable learning experiences. Don't get discouraged by a misstep – view it as an opportunity to refine your skills. As you gain experience, these mistakes will become less frequent.

Index
0:00 Intro – 5 key steps to develop a personal style
0:57 What is style?
01:42 Handwriting and style
02:40 Your style evolves all the time
03:35 1. step - Paint as much as possible – develop a taste.
04:45 Painting Flowers?
05:48 Paint what you like to paint, not what you like to look at
06:30 2. Step – Master the craft of painting
07:28 Paint for fun like kids do – Klara is painting
08:35 3. Step - Develop a process
09:34 4. Step – Inspiration – how to find it and how to use it
10:20 The issue of copying
10:39 Thinking outside the box?
12:15 The cave painter
15:29 5. Step – Courage – to make mistakes
17:05 Form an opinion on your own work
17:55 The trick – creativity and the “not so good paintings”
19:07 The mindset of a professional painter – good or bad?
19:50 Thank you for watching

Remember, your artistic style is a unique fingerprint, a combination of your personality, the choices you make in your artwork, and your life experiences. It will naturally evolve over time as you refine your skills and explore new ideas. Focus on enjoying the process of discovery and cultivating your artistic voice.

With dedication and these helpful steps, you'll be well on your way to developing a distinctive style that reflects you, and your unique artistic vision.

[jotex]

Best lesson ever on becoming an artist and finding your own style. Thank you very much.

[exoticwater]

Your comment about a child painting without worrying whether the painting is good or bad, until an adult steps in rating their drawings, really hit home for me..
When I was a young girl I would draw and paint all the time, almost obsessively.
One day, I went to give a drawing to my mother’s friend, only to be belittled by my mother, and told (in front of her friends), I needed to grow up and stop drawing stupid things all day.
I felt so embarrassed and ashamed 😔
Until this day I still feel something is holding me back, even though I have paints, brushes, pencils, canvases etc.. Without sounding petty, I need to get over this hurdle as all I want to do is draw and paint again.

Thank you for making this point in your video, much appreciated and something I hadn’t considered until now.

[piera]

Dear dearest Old guy I would like to hug you tight! Your words really made me so happy! I'm self-taught and my teachers are the artists like you on YouTube. I try to learn the techniques. I love looking at the works of artists of yesterday and today. I don't think I have my own style, but now with your words you have given me confidence. Thank you very much. A warm greeting from Italy 🇮🇹🌹🌹🌹
P. S. I love your paintings very much

[MDiMa-klte]

THIS WAS A GREAT VIDEO! we all need the reminder to stop stressing, stop overthinking, and just put the paint on the surface! thank you

[lindatennies]

Just wanted to thank you. I was recently diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia ( condition that makes it hard to speak) and haven't been painting. I watched one of your videos, and you gave me inspiration! Thank you.

[lollettealipe]

I’m 67 and I just started painting this year. Your 5 steps are very encouraging as I try to discover my personal style.

[creativeandaliveat]

I discovered you this morning and I am an instant subscriber. I have been painting in my head for at least 25 years, but my canvases stand blank in the closet. Paints dried up in tubs and tubes over the years. I am too afraid to make a "mistake" and show it to my eyes...
Today (as special a day as any other) I listened to you, felt my spirit caressed and cared for, and I made my mission of the day to find just a little strand of courage. I decided to humour myself by filling the first page of an old abandoned (and blank) journal, with colour - any colour. Today I let myself be seen.

[poetryjones]

This is the painting video I’ve been searching for. 🙏🏽🌹

[gdrew]

Your teaching style is wonderful, clear, and joyful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. It is much appreciated!

[mary-annestuart]

Thank you Henrik! A great reminder, and reinforcement, to just paint paint paint! Our paintings don’t need to look like anyone else’s or like some ideal painting.

[lindathaxton]

Enjoyed your steps - thank. you for sharing. Started painting at age 76 - age gives us an edge on being free. I am to paint everyday & love it! I am addicted - watercolor is MAGIG!

[zoecxjr]

I can’t tell you how happy I am that I came across your video. Thank you!

[jeanwagenhoffer]

I usually dislike most abstract art, but I love yours! ❤ They are amazing, unique and very beautiful!! Love your flowers too!!👏👏👏

[Samahra]

This is great, straight forward, unpretentious, and genuine. Thank You ❤🙏🏽

[ToutPsy]

Dear old guy. I'm over the moon for having discovered your channel which is, by far, the best art channel I've seen. So, from an old guy to another old guy, thank you and keep on inspiring others with your wonderful and inspiring masterpieces!

[liesesadler]

Not only do I find your advice and thoughts interesting but I share your vids with non painting friends in other creative pursuits. Thank you for taking the time to make these, time that you could easily spend on something, someone else but instead you’re investing your time in all of us!

[suzangroves]

You are such a good teacher, you have put into words a lot of thoughts I have about my work, I love flowers too and am trying to capture my emotions when enjoying them and nature. I find so much information and encouragement from watching your videos, thank you so much, you really have changed my life ❤

[esthergarcia]

I love your works. Thank you for sharing your ideas on how to be a better painter.
It inspires me to go on and believe on myself as an artist. I Love you.

[crisc]

You Sir are blessed, and you have blessed me. Thank you.

[mary-annestuart]

Thank you Henrik! A great reminder, and reinforcement, to just paint paint paint! Our paintings don’t need to look like anyone else’s or like some ideal painting. Also, thank you for speaking in English.