Artists, writers, and creative people of all sorts are often encouraged to find their own unique Style, to distinguish their work from everyone else’s…but how does one go about doing that?

In my experience, developing an artistic style happens naturally, without much conscious awareness. Sure, we may consciously try different techniques and borrow from our favorite artists, but there is more to style than that. And contrary to what many people believe, style isn’t adherence to the conventions of a particular genre. If that were the case, then where does style go when a musician switches from pop to jazz or an artist paints a picture, then creates a sculpture? Let’s examine the works of Michelangelo as an example.

Michelangelo’s distinctive style didn’t disappear when he switched between genres. He created his figures with similar muscular tone and dramatic poses. More importantly, both works of art have a similar essence about them. Michelangelo’s work has a different feel from Leonardo da Vinci’s, despite using similar techniques and portraying similar subjects.

That is why I argue that style is more than outward aesthetics, which can be altered to fit different genres. Style is the unique, personal imprint of an artist’s soul that arises naturally and is inimitable…the patterns of a particular mind expressing ideas through particular hands. That is why style doesn’t need to be found…because it exists in latency, unfolding over time as the artist practices his or her craft.