The Style NIGHTMARE

[mymightypencil]

Hi everyone - I thought it would be 'fun' (crying inside) to post a few of my varying styles from over the past few years - it's been so hard to stick to a set 'design' for me and I can't help but go round in circles! The past 2-3 years i've been trying to nail down a unique children's book style but there are so many options out there - it just gives me a headache and I can't seem to move forward at all.

I'm sure many of us have had the same problem - and if you have, i'd love to see some of your styles too!

[Meekipink]

Wow! These styles look like they were created by 5 different people!! Consistently replicating style extremes is a skill all in itself.

If you're going down the children's illustration route, then having the bottom three styles in your portfolio (especially in a sequence like you have now), to me would be a very good thing, because art directors would be looking to see if you have the skills to complete a book/project consistently. Also, it opens up the types of projects you could be hired for as an illustrator.

The 2nd style looks like you can branch out into MG novels, graphic novels and book covers. Is that something you'd be interested in or are you looking to stick predominately with picture books?

Also, your B&W portraits are AH-MAZING!!!! Do you still do this?? Haha, seriously, if you're still into this and you love it, there's nothing stopping you from making side art accounts/stores ^_^

[CukiArtist]

@mymightypencil I feel this so much. My art doesn't vary as much as this but my style still wanders as I try to figure out what I want it to do and face uncertainty.
In regards to your art, honestly, even though they vary a lot they are all really impressive. I think any of these have potential if you lean into them.

An artist friend once recommended an exercise that I do every few years and I find helps.
The exercise is this: find 100+ artworks that make you think 'this is it, this is what I want to make' (Be careful of pictures that impress you but don't give you this feeling). Save them into a single folder on your computer. Once you have found enough artworks (the more the better), start looking for patterns. How many focus on people or animals, men or women, babies, children, teens or adults, spot or full illustration, realistic/stylised, MG/Picture book, etc. Hopefully, you get the idea. Use this to better direct your future plans.
Disclaimer: This hasn't stopped me from wandering but I have found it helps me focus better than I would otherwise.

[Kim Rosenlof]

@mymightypencil I think the 2021 and 2022 styles work well for children's books. I think the last row is a fun way of using different colors. The shapes are similar even though the color palettes are different between the styles, so I don't feel like the last three rows are too far off from each other.
I had a portfolio review a few months ago from an art director and she said that I had a couple of different styles. She suggested that I do some sequential art for both so that I could show that I could be consistent with both styles. She didn't say that I should pick just one, thank goodness. I like doing both so I was happy she didn't say to take one out. Of course I have also heard that you should keep with one style in other places, so it can definitely be confusing on what to do.
Do you have a favorite style that you do? If there is a style that you don't like doing, then take that out because you wouldn't want to do that for an entire book .

[Asyas_illos]

The bottom three look fairly consistent to me I could tell they are all done by you. And yes they are the better out of them all, for picture books. Your Instagram is very consistent with this style too, very nice work.

[patricialamas]

I agree with everyone else that the stuff you have that’s specifically for children’s books really does look very consistent! Maybe your struggle is really between what markets you actually want to pursue? At least that’s what mine seems to be, since I often feel like a creative chameleon, for better or for worse.

My personal style struggle over the last many years seems to have been about breaking away from my teenage aesthetics (very Neopets-inspired, slick and “cereal box,” as they call it on 3PP). Often what I make still tends to feel more cartoonish and 3D than I want, but it’s been hard to pin down what I actually do want it to look like! So I guess right now I’m just trying it all out and seeing what processes feel the most fun to me.

Here are some of my various styles over the years:

2005

2008

2016?

2018

2021

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@mymightypencil Hi if it helps, I think your style is getting more consistent during the last 3 years.

[Miriam]

Have you watched Lee White's class:"How To Discover Your Style"? https://courses.svslearn.com/courses/uncovering-your-style

You already have some distinct styles, but I think the lectures and assignments could help you find the answers you're looking for.

I really enjoyed the course & Lee's insights.

[Lee White]

@mymightypencil The simple answer to this complex problem, in my opinion, is learning the difference between what you CAN do and what you WANT to do.

When people start out in art, the metric by what "success" means is making something look realistic. But then over time we start to understand that really isn't that important overall. Then we starting thinking about voice and what we are trying to say. So to find the right "style" you need to ask "which one of these looks is right for what I'm trying to say.?" Then go on from there! easy peasy! ; )

[mymightypencil]

@Lee-White that hit me deep, sound advice as always - thank you for this, and for the continued work you guys do!

[mymightypencil]

@Miriam Thanks for your reply, I watched this one a while back but it's worth another watch for sure - so thank you so much for sharing!

[mymightypencil]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz Thanks - that does help, it's narrowing down for sure. I THINK I can see the light at the end of the tunnel

[Oana]

I am trying to find a style too, and feel a bit stuck, but I never tried to make a collage of this kind, and, looking at it now... maybe it is helpful looks fun anyway