In this article I answer what is an artist’s “signature style” and why is is important? I hope to bring clarity to how you can determine what your “signature style” is and/or how to acquire one.
Gallery owners, collectors, and art writers are drawn to art that contains a treasure trove of unique and distinctive characteristics. They enjoy proclaiming the virtues about a body of work art that tells a story with unique features and attributes.
When an artist asks me to write an Art Review about their art so they can use it for their promotion I view their art on their website. It’s such a joy to immediately see their artistic strengths and how they developed a cohesive body of work known, as a “signature style”.
When was the last time you stopped to study the unique and distinctive lines, ridges and patterns on the palm of your hand? Your handprint is totally unique. No one on the planet has the same handprint as you. For a moment, stop and consider that the same is true about your artwork.
Many words and phrases immediately come to my mind that describe the distinctive features of their art. This is possible because I can view their art through a lens of objectivity and many years of professional experience viewing art, writing about art, coaching artists, and curating exhibitions.
As one who spends several hours a day on social media it is disappointing to see artists posting their art with no regard to how they present their unique vision to the world. And, they complain to me they aren’t receiving the sales and awards they wish for.
Unfortunately, many artists are unable to fully recognize their unique skills because they are intensely absorbed in their creative process. They may fail to appreciate their own greatness that flows throughout their body of work. If that’s you, I hope this article will change that for you.
We all recognize a painting by Gustav Klimt from a distance because he had a “signature style”. His painting “The Kiss” is an example of the artist’s foray into his Golden Period. The pose of the lovers depicted in this painting also reflects the merging of different artistic styles in which Klimt excelled.
The natural forms, true to the Vienna Art Nouveau movement, are fused with the bold patterns in the couple’s cloaks, attributed to the impact of the Arts and Crafts movement, while the use of spirals suggests art of the Bronze Age.
What is a Signature Style?
It’s probably best to describe a “signature style” by visualizing this scenario.
Imagine walking into a museum or gallery and a diverse group exhibition is on view. It spans many spectrums of styles and mediums. From several feet away, as your eyes scan the space, you can immediately identify the names of the artists, based on the unique characteristics of their art. You are able to discern an iconic Monet painting from one by O’Keeffe or Kandinsky. This power of observation is possible because each of the artists has developed their instantly recognizable “signature style”.
Such artists have claimed their own artistic territory, or “niche”, often as pioneers amidst an enormous creative field. Their places of distinction in the annals of art history have endured for decades. Their individual persona shines through their “signature style”. Their unique creative vision provides extraordinary breadth and depth for the viewer.
Developing a “signature style” is an admirable and arduous achievement.
It is based on years of creative discipline and effort. The balance for an artist is to express versatility within individuality, whatever subject or medium they choose.
The best “signature style” is one that has common threads without being repetitive.
It shows a confidence and clarity without impairing the artist’s freedom of expression. Within that “niche” an artist’s creative vision can expand. They may then develop different series that deviate from each other while they also have a commonality. Cohesion and congruency can be achieved while also maintaining innovation and intuition.
You don’t have to stay with your current “signature style” throughout your entire career.
We know from art history artists’ styles evolve, artists are influenced by new artistic movements, and are drawn to new inspiration. Therefore, give yourself permission to alter your current body of work as time progresses.
You can create a few different series within one large portfolio and keep them separated from each other on your art website. You can also return to your previous styles occasionally. That is a natural flow of creativity.
Wassily Kandinsky had a strong signature style; however, on his way to developing it he embraced all artistic styles — from Art Nouveau’s sinuous, organic forms, to Fauvism and Blaue Reiter’s shocking colors, to Surrealism’s mysteries, and the Bauhaus period’s focus on Constructivism, and more.
Why is a “Signature Style” Important?
There are many advantages for the artist.
When you can identify and appreciate the distinctive qualities of your art work you will know why it appeals to others. Based on this valuable information you can define your art customer profiles. You can develop a plan to reach your markets. Your marketing efforts will be easier and more manageable.
Gallery owners favor artists who have transformed their creative vision into an inimitable “signature style”, as this facilitates promoting and selling art to potential buyers. They enjoy proclaiming the virtues about art that embodies outstanding qualities.
Many collectors consider buying art with a clear point of view. They often look for art that will expand upon a particular focus of their existing collection.
Chances of being selected for more theme exhibitions, specific awards, grants and other opportunities, will increase.
The Freedom of Pursuing a “Signature Style”
Many artists say they don’t want to be “pinned down” to any one artistic direction because they will lose “artistic freedom”. They may refer to Picasso, an artist who was very rare because he excelled in many different artistic directions.
However, when an artist shows a wide variety of expressions without any sign of forward development in any of them and does not have the superior skills of a Picasso, one has to wonder if that is an excuse.
Do they simply get bored easily and quickly? Are they overly self-critical? Are they trying to please too many people? Do they lack focus and commitment? Are they still in the experimental stage trying to find their authentic voice? Believe it or not, I can usually perceive the answers when viewing the different artistic directions of such an artist.
On the contrary, an artist who chooses to master their individual style achieves clarity and cohesion. When they nurture, build, and improve their artistic vision they ultimately attain a greater creative freedom of self-awareness and self-discovery. They achieve higher levels of proficiency and their art radiates a powerful presence.
How Do You Attain Your “Signature Style”?
Give the process some time.
Don’t rush or force it. Developing a “signature style” requires time, attention, trial and error, perseverance, and the desire to nurture it. It often appears in subtle increments and develops and evolves over time.
It requires an exciting exploration and learning how to use various art materials, studying the techniques of masters, developing confidence, maturity. It will often grow and change as you have new life experiences and inner discoveries.
You can also ask for objective feedback from an experienced professional who knows how to view their art, without judgment or criticism, to offer aspects about your art you may be too close to see.
Changing Your Signature Style
Chances are you’ll change your signature style and medium more than once during your career. During the period of uncertainty remember the artists who altered their styles with no regrets. Find mentors among your contemporaries who have been successful.
Remember that Richard Diebenkorn was influenced by Abstract Expressionism. But unlike many artists of his day who were reluctant to change their successful signature styles, he made major shifts during the course of his entire career.
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Thank you Renee for an insightful article.
I believe I am getting closer to developing a signature style, not on purpose, just seems I am going that way.
My little trick to check if an artist has a signature style is to Google lens a work and see how many if the results show that particular’s artist works.
Happy creating!
Hi Renee this article is so helpful I have nt picked up a brush in 3 yrs and I’m creating but can get back into one style I have adhd and enjoy abstract art I have a million ideas but am finding it hard to get it into one style how do I get my work looked at by you please let me know
Dear Ann, Thank you for your comment. I’m delighted to know that this article was helpful. I love viewing artists’ artwork and offering my professional feedback; however I’ve had to stop giving those consultations. Currently, I am busy with the Manhattan Arts International website and The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website where we promote artists and curate online exhibitions.
If and when I start offering consultations again I will definitely post the announcement on this website.
I hope you visit this website often and enjoy reading the many different articles I have written to help artists.
Best wishes, Renee
I love this advice, and I often come back to it.
Thank you Renee.
Thank you Andrea, You have achieved the task of developing your signature styles. I would be able to recognize your art from miles away!
Renee, Signature style is such a great topic. It’s been my observation that signature style takes time. The intent of work can be very different than the art we view. Art museum exhibits have been a solid learning. It becomes solidified upon reading great biographical literature. History is vital to understanding or merely accepting the style as may be viewed. It’s like a treasure hunt to identify the character and history to fully grasp. Art is the gift keeps me seeking the story of the author/artist. Thank you for a great topic.
Yes your signature arrives from your soul and practice! Most of my piers can tell my work immediately and I can also see an atist’s that I’m familiar with when hanging an exhibit!
I thought you were going to talk about your name on the front of your canvas or whatever your support is etc; paper or wood or metal!
I’m for signing my canvases or paper on bottom left. I am aware that some agents or gallery owners prefer the artist not to sign their work, I do not support that theory!
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Thank you Karen. I always recognize your extraordinary works of art immediately. You definitely have what I refer to as a “Signature Style”.
Renee this is very interesting. I do not think I have seen any article really relating to this point. My work is said to have a signature style. One reason is because I started painting in my late twenties and was exhibiting and going to art school at night. My style developed as it did because I was a blank sheet and did not know enough to try and imitate artists I liked. Teachers and others would say this piece reminds me of so and so, I would have to run and look up who they were speaking of. I feel that starting out blindly worked out well for me. As others say, “they can tell a Thomas Kelly, from across the room.” Good piece. Thanks for sharing.
Thomas, Thank you for your insightful comment. As you have proven the journey to developing your own signature style requires nurturing your own innate vision from a place of independence, confidence and authenticity.
We really think Style of Art is important. I see the OKeefe painting shared on Renee’s message make some people think OKeefe was featuring a certain Body part of women in her art. It wasn’t true that OKeefe wanted to share that. People often see in art what they think is the artist’s style.
Susan, that’s a very good point. That’s why it’s important to read more about the artist’s intentions so we can gain insight into what their purpose is, what inspires them, and what they try to convey. On this subject there is an article to read Art and Artist’s Statements – Quotes by Famous Artists. An important article for artists: how to write an artist’s statement.
Love this article Renee! With so many artists on the internet, a signature style plays to the artist advantage. A signature style becomes the fourth element in a great painting: technique, use of color, composition and the spirit of the painting otherwise known as one’s signature style. To my fellow artists; paint what you love, have fun with it and display it!
Thank you Lisa, you definitely are an example of an artist who has developed her own “signature style”. You are one of a kind. 🙂
Thank you Renee, this is such a useful article. Your words about nurturing and growing your own style particularly resonate with me. It’s so easy to be impatient with ourselves and expect our style to be defined early. While this may be the case for some, for others it takes longer, and can be dependant on many factors.
Thank you Andrea for reminding us that it is important for an artist to be patient and let the natural flow of creative vision to evolve.
Dear Renee, I do not have my own website at this time. However, you could see several of my paintings on my FACEBOOK, LAUREEN OXLEY CARSON.. I am asking you to look at my work and tell me what you think. I would so greatly appreciate it, as I feel I am on to something. However, need your objectivity and opinions. Click on my albums pictures etc. My email is laureencarson1@gmail.com. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. lAUREEN CARSON
Hi Laureen, Thank you for expressing interest in my consultation with feedback about your art. You don’t need to have your own website to schedule the consultation. (Details provided here: “Receive Professional Feedback About Your Artwork”). I sent you an email regarding your request.