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For those who are worried about having their own unique drawing style, spoiler alert: you already kinda have it. Let me explain, style is an accumulation of your culture, your tastes, your inspirations/influences, and your execution in a subject.
Maybe the real question you guys are asking is having your own drawing style that is effective, and well executed? Style is subjective, some are liked and some aren't as much. However, I can appreciate a style that's not my cup of tea when its well done, and ends up changing my-
view on a style for the better. The styles I feel that are well executed have a few common traits, and something I can give my two cents for those asking about having a style.
1. Solid foundation drawing skills. Whether its academic drawing, or graphic sensibilities - there's a strong skill in draftsmanship. You can tell the person has a good sense/control of shape, form, and maybe even gesture. Life drawing, perspective class and other fundamentals.
2. Clear study from life and not just cartoons/illustrations and art. Good artists can observe things from life, and capture that essence it into their drawing. Observe the subtle things from life since those things can add so much more believably. Blind contours, cafe sketches..
3. Question your influences and inspirations. A lot of people send me portfolios where they are clearly ripping off artists in how they draw their characters. I ask them why, they say "because its pro". You should start asking yourselves why they respond well to you-
and what their weaknesses are. This allows you to be more decisive and think about how you can make your work stronger. Gather all the great things you like about your influences, and how you can make them work for your own drawings.
4. Have a shit ton of influences and inspirations, ranging from different styles. be cultured in all the art surrounding you and not just look at one certain world of drawing. Look at the masters, upa, disney, anime, folk art - therefore you absorb the things that work for you
5. Your style is constantly changing over time. Like a teen from their emo angsty days (liek meeee), we all go through phases of what we like and what we were into. With time, you also grow your drawing sensibilities, and absorb new things.
6. Be you. One of the worst advice I hear a teacher give to a student (this happened at my school) was to be "random well known artist". Don't be an imitation of another person - rather study why those artists work or don't work for you - and see what you do from there.
Be you because how you grew up, where, why and when will also speak in your work.
OH and another thing I'd like to add is: clarity, personality and charisma. All the styles I said I feel like are all drawing emphasis, but I've found myself deeply engaged or laughing off to crude doodles. In other words: what are you trying to say about your drawing?
