How do you find your Style?
Let’s explore
Hey there,
Have you found your style?
I think I have—for now. But what I’ve realised is that it’s ever evolving, shaped by my skill level, what I’m drawn to, and how my taste changes over time.
While I know this isn’t my forever-style, here are some of the steps I took to get to where I am now, and a few thoughts on how style can grow with you.
Embrace Trial and Error
Developing your style involves trying different techniques, mediums, and subjects. It’s through this process of trial and error that you begin to understand what resonates with you. For instance, I find myself drawn to intricate details and realistic portrayals with a bit of whimsy. Also what type of nose, eyes or mouth are you drawn to? Here are some examples.
Draw Inspiration from Others
Looking at the work of artists you admire can provide valuable insights. Analyzing their work can help you identify elements that you might want to incorporate into your own style. Artists whose styles resonate wth me are Kayla Harren, Azxel Scheduler, and Sophie Blackall.
Allow Your Style to Evolve
Your style isn’t something you find once and stick with forever. It’s natural for it to evolve over time as you grow and transform as an artist. Think of recording artists like U2. They’ve been a band for decades, and while there’s a distinctive U2 sound, each album explores different genres— Albums like Achtung Baby and Zooropa are so different.
Consistency in Sequential Art
While experimentation is key, consistency becomes crucial in sequential art, such as picture books. Characters need to remain recognizable throughout the story. For example, if a character starts with dot eyes on page one, they shouldn’t have oval eyes with whites and blacks by page seven.
Participate in “Draw This in Your Style” Challenges
Engaging in “Draw This in Your Style” challenges on platforms like Instagram can be a fun way to experiment and see how others interpret the same subject differently. It’s fascinating to observe the diversity of styles and approaches, all stemming from a single prompt. This is one of the main avenues I used near the beginning of my journey. You can read my previous substack on this topic below.
Further Reading on Finding Your Style
If you’re interested in exploring this topic further, here are some insightful Substack posts:
The Illustration Department: it’s all about consistency of practice and being authentic.
And check out this Article from Medium, which offers a more practical guild.
Remember, finding your style is a personal journey. Embrace the process, stay curious, and allow your style to develop naturally over time.
And…
here is a wonderful example of how different styles from different illustrators can be woven together to make a fun, imaginative story.
Somewhere Lost is a picture book anthology that explores the theme of being lost—physically, emotionally, or in imagination—featuring works from creators across Australia. All proceeds go to support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, whose work ensures access to books and literacy resources for children in remote Indigenous communities.
Somewhere Lost is out now! I’m honoured to have my illustration on the cover and in the book alongside many talented Australian illustrators.
You can order it and all proceeds go to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
You can see more of my work on my website and stay connected on Instagram.
Thanks for reading!
Carla
My Books
I AM ME (Written by Mitch Tambo; Allen & Unwin; September 2025),
Harries - The Lifeguard from Bondi (Written by Anthony ‘Harries’ Carroll and Emily Carroll; EK Books; October 2025)
Boldilocks (Written by Deborah Frenkel; EK Books; September 2025).
Somewhere Lost (Anthology, Daisy Lane Publishing; May 2025)
Our Australian Heart’ (Anthology, Daisy Lane Publishing; 2024)
Mia’s grandma (Written by Josie Montano; IP Kids (Interactive Publications); 2023)
Little Shark Lulu is Sleeping (Written by Josie Montano and Charlotte Birkmanis; IP Kids (Interactive Publications); 2022)