The “Style Recipe”: How to Find Your Unique Artistic Voice (Even If You’re Inspired by Others)

Andrea Gianchiglia Author

The “Style Recipe”: How to Find Your Unique Artistic Voice (Even If You’re Inspired by Others)

Have you ever looked at an artist’s work and thought, “Wow, I wish I had my own style like that!”? Maybe you’ve even worried that your art looks too much like someone else’s, or that you’re just mimicking techniques instead of creating something original.

Guess what? That’s completely normal! In fact, almost every artist—yes, even the greats—started by being inspired by someone else. The secret? If you let things develop naturally, even borrowed techniques will gradually become your own.

Your Style Isn’t Found, It’s Built

Many artists think that one day, their signature style will just poof into existence, like a magical creative lightning bolt. But in reality, your style is something that evolves over time, like a slow-cooked stew (mmm, art stew).

Instead of waiting for that perfect, fully-formed style to appear, try breaking it down into key ingredients—your Style Recipe!

How to Find Your “Style Recipe”

To uncover what makes your art uniquely yours, ask yourself these questions:

✅ What subject matter do I gravitate toward? (Animals? Landscapes? Moody portraits of my cat looking judgmental?)

✅ What colors do I use most often? (Are you a soft, pastel lover? Do you lean toward dramatic purples and deep blues? Always add purple, just saying!)

✅ Do I prefer loose and expressive strokes or tight, controlled details?

✅ Do I like bold contrast or soft transitions?

✅ Is my work high-energy or quiet and moody?

Your answers = your artistic DNA.

Try This: Your Style Recipe Exercise

1️⃣ Write out your answers and create your personal “Style Recipe.”

2️⃣ Create a piece of art where you intentionally emphasize those elements—really lean into them!

3️⃣ Repeat this process over time, and watch how your voice naturally starts to emerge.

Remember, even if you start by mimicking, your true style will shine through the more you create. The key is to trust the process and let it develop naturally.

And if you’re ready to sharpen those skills (one sketch at a time!), check out Sketch & Inspire—where we explore sketching techniques in a fun, stress-free way!

Now go forth and cook up that art stew! 🎨✨

Post your outcomes and join my free fb community here!