Starting as an artist is exhilarating, but it can also feel overwhelming at times. From experimenting with new mediums to hunting for inspiration, every step comes with its own set of challenges. Looking back on my own journey, I realize there are a few lessons I wish I had learned much earlier, insights that could have made the path a little smoother and a lot more rewarding.

How to develop your own style

Whether you’re just picking up a brush for the first time or refining your craft, these lessons have guided me toward greater confidence, growth, and joy in my work. I hope they can do the same for you.

Lesson 1: Embrace Your Unique Style

Embracing your unique style is about daring to trust your own voice in a landscape full of impressions, trends, and expectations. For me, the process began with noticing what I naturally gravitate toward—what colors feel right, what shapes repeat, and what expressions energize me. When you allow these preferences to find their way into your art, your work becomes not only more personal, but also more authentic and alive.

While it can be tempting to compare yourself to others, it’s what sets you apart that makes your art interesting. The style you might have thought was “weird” or “different” is often what gives your work its identity and strength. By embracing it wholeheartedly, you give yourself the opportunity to grow, explore, and create art that feels real—both to yourself and to those who experience it.

Lesson 2: Practice makes mastery

When I work on my art regularly, I notice how my creativity begins to flow more easily. Every time I sit down with my canvas or sketchbook, I discover something new – whether in the way the colors behave, or in the way the lines fall more naturally than before. It’s not about everything having to be perfect, but about being present in the process and giving yourself space to explore.

Over time, I’ve come to know how small adjustments, almost imperceptible from day to day, build up to a clear development. The same thing will happen to you when you give your art some space, some regularity and a good dose of curiosity.

As this rhythm has become part of my everyday life, I’ve also started to take more creative chances. I try new ideas that I would have been unsure of before, and I’ve discovered that it’s often precisely the spontaneous attempts that lead to the most exciting results. Mistakes have stopped being a problem; they’ve become a kind of secret entrance to new solutions. And it’s in this process that my own artistic voice has really begun to emerge.

I fully believe that you will also feel this joy and freedom when you allow yourself to create, again and again, with a mixture of patience and the desire to learn.

Lesson 3: Seek Constructive Feedback

Seeking constructive feedback has been one of the most valuable habits I’ve developed as an artist. It can feel vulnerable to show off a work that means something to you, but that’s why feedback is so incredibly important. When you invite others into the process, you gain new perspectives on things you might be blind to yourself—perhaps a composition that could be strengthened, an idea that could be simplified, or a technique that could be further developed.

Constructive criticism isn’t about changing who you are as an artist, it’s about opening the door to growth. When you learn to distinguish between helpful input and people’s opinions that don’t help you, the response becomes a tool that elevates your work to a higher level. Receiving such feedback with curiosity rather than fear can really benefit your development—and at the same time give you greater confidence in what you’re creating.

Lesson 4: Don’t Fear Mistakes

Not being afraid to make mistakes is perhaps one of the most important things I’ve learned as an artist. Many of my most instructive moments have come from works that didn’t turn out the way I had envisioned. When you give yourself permission to try, experiment, and even fail, you open yourself up to a creative freedom that’s hard to find otherwise.

Mistakes aren’t a sign that you lack talent—they’re traces of brave attempts, and often a springboard to new ideas and techniques you wouldn’t have otherwise discovered. When you let the process be more important than the result, both your confidence and your skills grow. It’s in this space, where you dare to let go of control a little, that artistic development truly takes off.

Lesson 5: Build a Supportive Community

Being an artist can sometimes feel surprisingly lonely. I’ve spent many hours in my studio completely immersed in my work, and I’ve found that connecting with other creatives can make a huge difference, not just for inspiration but also for motivation and encouragement.

Building a supportive network around me has been crucial to my own artistic development. When you surround yourself with people who cheer you on, challenge you, and understand what you’re trying to express, the path becomes both safer and more inspiring. Such a network can consist of other artists, teachers, friends, or digital communities where experiences and ideas are openly shared. They help keep you motivated, provide honest feedback, and remind you of why you create when doubts creep in.

Being part of a community doesn’t just make your art better—it makes the journey far more meaningful.

My Artistic Journey

Looking back, these experiences have not only shaped my work but also how I approach being an artist. Embracing my own style, showing up to practice, seeking feedback, learning from mistakes, and building a supportive community—each of these has played a crucial role in my growth.

Every artist’s journey is different, and that’s what makes it exciting. There will be challenges, moments of doubt, and unexpected setbacks, but there will also be triumphs and small victories that make it all worthwhile. I hope that sharing these experiences provides you with some guidance, or just a little support, as you navigate your own path.

Whether you’re just starting out or honing your craft, remember to be curious, take risks, and celebrate your progress along the way. Art is a vast ever-changing world, and there’s always something new to explore. So, dive in with enthusiasm and let your creativity lead the way.

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