Struggles With Developing Art Style and Their Solutions

Every artist wants a style that’s their own — a fingerprint in paint, pencil, or pixels. But the struggles with developing art style can feel like wading through mud with a blindfold on. Self-doubt, a flood of influences, comparison traps, and the nagging worry your work isn’t fresh enough — they’re all part of the gig. This isn’t some airy-fairy rant; it’s the real muck artists slog through daily. We’ll unpack why these challenges in finding art style hit so hard, dig into four big culprits, and toss some no-nonsense fixes to claw your way out. You’re not alone, and your creative identity isn’t a lost cause — let’s get to it.

Table of Contents

Why Struggles With Developing Art Style Happen

The struggles with developing art style aren’t some rare curse — they’re the default setting for anyone who dares to make art. You’ve got this itch to create something that’s undeniably you, but every stroke feels like a fight. Why does it suck so much? Because art isn’t just slapping colors on a canvas — it’s a bare-knuckle brawl between your head, your heart, and the world outside. Inside, you’re wrestling with a voice that says your work’s trash or someone’s already done it better. Outside, you’re dodging a barrage of trends, opinions, and the pressure to be “sellable.” It’s a mess, and it’s universal.

Think about it: you’re trying to carve out your personal expression in a world that’s loud as hell. One minute, you’re inspired by some genius on X; the next, you’re panicking because your sketch looks like their reject pile. The biggest challenges in developing a unique art style come from that push-pull — wanting to stand out while drowning in noise. Every artist from da Vinci to the kid down the street has felt this. It’s not a sign you’re failing; it’s proof you’re in the ring. The trick is figuring out why it’s so damn loud in there — and then turning down the volume.

Struggles with developing art style illustration

Common Problems When Developing an Art Style

The struggles with developing art style don’t hit abstract — they’re specific, gnawing little bastards that show up every time you pick up a brush. Let’s name the main, most common ones: self-doubt and imposter syndrome, overwhelm from too many influences, comparing yourself to other artists, and the fear of not being original enough. These aren’t just vibes; they’re the bricks in the wall between you and your creative identity. Here’s the breakdown.

Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome: or “Is it good enough or is it crap?”. Self-doubt and imposter syndrome are the loudest jerks in the struggles with developing art style lineup. You’re mid-drawing, and suddenly your brain’s like, “You? An artist? Please.” It’s that gut punch asking, “Am I really an artist if I don’t have a defined style?” — Yes, 100%. Style doesn’t make you an artist; creating does. Doesn’t stop the feeling, though. You look at your lines and think you’re faking it, that real artists have it all figured out, like all those people on Instagram. Spoiler: they don’t have it all figured out.

The worst move? Quitting. The worst thing you can do is stop making art just because you feel lost. The more you create, the more your style will naturally emerge. Every half-baked sketch is a brick in your foundation. Even the big shots — like, say, Van Gogh cutting off his ear in a fit — doubted their chops. Keep going. Those doubts? They’re just noise. Your personal expression grows louder the more you ignore them.

Overwhelm From Too Many Influences: or “I follow 1.000 artists and am inspired by all of them”. Too many influences can turn artistic inspiration into a chokehold. You’re scrolling X, Pinterest, whatever, and it’s a firehose of styles — minimalism one second, baroque the next. It’s a challenge in finding art style because you want to try everything, but it leaves you spinning. Ever felt like you’re copying without meaning to? That’s normal. Our brains absorb influences, but over time, they mix and transform into something original. Still, the sheer volume can paralyze you.

Here’s the deal: you’re not a thief, you’re a blender. Every artist borrows — Monet swiped from the Japanese prints he loved. The problem’s not the influences; it’s the overwhelm. Pick a handful you dig and lean in hard. Narrow the flood to a stream, and your creative identity starts peeking through the muck. Less is more when you’re figuring out who you are on the page.

 

Visual example of overwhelm from influences

Comparing Yourself to Other Artists: or “Why am I even trying if THAT is what art looks like”. Comparison’s a sneaky little bitch when developing an art style. You’re minding your business, then bam — some 19-year-old’s got a gallery show, and your canvas looks like a toddler’s tantrum. Social media is a blessing and a curse — it gives inspiration but also makes it easy to compare yourself to others and feel like your work isn’t ‘unique enough’. It’s not just jealousy; it’s a creativity vampire sucking your will to keep going.

Flip the script. Those shiny posts? They’re not your yardstick. Your developing unique artist style lives in your scratched-up sketchbook, not their highlight reel. Stop gawking and start making — peek at how to learn from other artists for a smarter way to use that inspo. Your path’s yours. Quit measuring it against someone else’s finish line.

And we’ll share the saying here that we use quite a lot in every niche and profession: don’t compare your beginning with someone else’s middle. Sometimes it’s not that they are better and you are worse. It’s that they’ve been doing it longer than you.

Fear of Not Being Original Enough: or “I still don’t look 100% original”. Disclaimer: you can’t. The fear of not being original enough is the ghost rattling chains in your studio. You finish a piece, and your brain goes, “Wait, didn’t I see this in Museo del Prado (or worse, Etsy)?” It’s brutal what stops artists from finding their style, because we’ve all bought the lie that “original” means never-before-seen. It’s not only artists’ problem, it’s universal for creatives. The secret? Originality isn’t about inventing something from scratch — it’s about making something feel personal. You don’t need to birth a new genre — just make it you.

Look at your stuff from the last year — what pops up over and over? Your style is probably emerging without you even realizing it. Warhol didn’t invent soup cans; he made them his. Your quirks — those weird lines or colors you love — are your gold. Stop chasing “new” and start chasing “mine.” And check is a unique art style essential? if you’re still sweating it.

Forget the myth of 100% originality — it’s a ghost story we tell ourselves. You exist in a world built on thousands of years of culture, history, politics, and collective experience. Your eyes, your brain, your instincts? All shaped by the art, ideas, and chaos that came before you. Everything you create is, in some way, rooted in something else. And that’s not a bad thing, it’s the thing — it’s inevitable. So don’t waste time chasing pure originality like some artistic holy grail. Instead, focus on making work that feels true to you, remixing influences in a way only you can. That’s where the magic happens.

What to Do About Art Style Struggles

So, we’ve established you’re neck-deep in struggles with developing art style (like who isn’t, right?) — what now? You don’t just shrug and let the canvas collect dust. There’s a way out, and it’s not a meditation retreat. These are real, grab-a-shovel fixes to bust through self-doubt, overwhelm, comparison, and originality panic. Your creative identity isn’t a myth — it’s waiting for you to quit whining and start working.

For self-doubt, make stuff anyway. Crappy doodles beat a blank page every time. Overwhelm? Pick one thing — say, ink or watercolor — and mess with it for a month. Comparison? Look at your own old work, not some stranger’s flex on X. You’ll see your own progress, and that’s the only thing that matters. Originality? Quit obsessing — your influences are ingredients, not a jail sentence. Instead of asking ‘What should my style be?’, ask ‘What do I enjoy creating the most?’ — your style is hidden in what excites you. Here’s the short version:

  • Doodle daily — crap’s fine, it’s still progress.
  • Cut the inspo noise — stick to a couple of sources.
  • Measure you against you, not them.
  • Twist what you love into something yours.

Show up. That’s it. Your overcoming art style obstacles game plan starts with doing, not dreaming. And take a look at these 7 ways to develop your art style and voice for more tricks.

Developing Unique Artist Style Through Experimentation

Here’s the most important part: developing unique artist style through technique experimentation. This isn’t about sitting around hoping for a lightbulb — it’s about getting your hands dirty and seeing what sticks. The struggles with developing art style don’t vanish, but they turn into fuel when you play. Every artist who’s made it big — Pollock, Kahlo, whoever — didn’t just think their way to a style; they screwed around until it clicked.

Grab something new — charcoal, a tablet, hell, a stick in the dirt — and go wild. Try making a series — working on 5-10 pieces in a similar theme or technique can reveal your natural tendencies. You’ll see what you gravitate toward: sharp lines, soft vibes, whatever. Look back at the mess — what keeps showing up? That’s your personal expression waving hello. Need a nudge? Finding your unique art style has some solid pointers. Experimentation’s your hammer — bash through the wall and build something real.

 

Summary image for experimentation in art style

FAQ: Common Questions About Art Style Struggles

Q: What are the struggles with developing art style?

A: The struggles with developing art style are a rogue’s gallery — self-doubt, too many influences, comparison, and originality fears. They’re the usual suspects screwing with every artist’s head.

Q: How can artists overcome struggles with art style?

A: Beat the struggles with developing art style by making stuff, cutting the clutter, and playing with technique experimentation. It’s less about genius and more about grit.

Q: Why is developing an art style so hard?

A: It’s a beast because challenges in finding art style mash up your doubts with the world’s noise. You’re fighting for creative identity in a storm—tough, but doable.

Q: What stops artists from finding their style?

A: Self-doubt, overload, and “been done” panic are the big 3 of what stops artists from finding their style. They’re speed bumps, not brick walls.

Q: How do I find my unique art style despite struggles?

A: Chase what fires you up and experiment like mad — your developing unique artist style hides in your personal expression, not some rulebook.

Conclusion

The struggles with developing art style — self-doubt, overwhelm, comparison, originality jitters — are a rite of passage, not a death sentence. Every artist who’s ever mattered has tripped over these same rocks. You’re not broken; you’re just in the thick of it. The overcoming art style obstacles bit isn’t magic — it’s showing up, messing up, and keeping going.

You’ve got the playbook now: experiment like a kid with finger paints, zero in on what you love, and let your developing unique artist style creep out of the chaos. Art’s not a race or a test — it’s a brawl, and you’re tougher than you think. Grab your tools and start swinging. Your style’s not lost; it’s waiting for you to find it.