3 answers
Isabella
Student
Monterey, Tennessee
2
Questions
Asked
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What are some tips for developing an art style and getting commissions?
I start college next fall and opened an Etsy store to make some money to help cover tuition (digital media major), but I want to work on opening commissions to help pay and develop a portfolio before I go. Also if you have any tips on getting your art seen I'd really appreciate it.
#Fall25
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3 answers
Kim Schiavone
Illustrator and Graphic Designer
53
Answers
Missoula, Montana
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Isabella,
Starting your own Etsy store and doing commissioned work is a great way to see how your art connects with others. It's exciting because you can experiment with different styles, subjects, and materials, and see how people react to your creations.
You asked a crucial question about style, one that many artists struggle with, including me when I was in school. Style is important, and today, with technology and computers, it feels different from when I grew up. Back then, being versatile in various drawing and painting styles helped me find work. The job market favored those who could adapt their style. Later, when I studied art more, I found it challenging to develop a unique style.
To simplify this complex topic, focus on what you truly like and what feels natural to you. You might be able to mimic a style, but is it your favorite? By understanding what you love about line, composition, color, materials, and subjects, you'll gradually discover your personal style. Experimentation and personal meaning are of utmost importance. Be patient with this process; it's worth the wait. I also suggest reading "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron and doing the "Morning Pages" exercise for a year. The more you learn about yourself, the quicker you'll find your style.
Starting your own Etsy store and doing commissioned work is a great way to see how your art connects with others. It's exciting because you can experiment with different styles, subjects, and materials, and see how people react to your creations.
You asked a crucial question about style, one that many artists struggle with, including me when I was in school. Style is important, and today, with technology and computers, it feels different from when I grew up. Back then, being versatile in various drawing and painting styles helped me find work. The job market favored those who could adapt their style. Later, when I studied art more, I found it challenging to develop a unique style.
To simplify this complex topic, focus on what you truly like and what feels natural to you. You might be able to mimic a style, but is it your favorite? By understanding what you love about line, composition, color, materials, and subjects, you'll gradually discover your personal style. Experimentation and personal meaning are of utmost importance. Be patient with this process; it's worth the wait. I also suggest reading "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron and doing the "Morning Pages" exercise for a year. The more you learn about yourself, the quicker you'll find your style.
Kim Matthews
Graphic Production Designer and Sculptor
109
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Isabella,
Re: "style," the ceramic sculptor Grayson Perry said, "Your mistakes are your style." What he means by that, I think, is to focus on doing your work the best you can, constantly analyzing and sharpening your skills and judgment, and you'll learn to accept your limitations as well as your strengths. If you keep at it, your style will emerge naturally, and you can begin to figure out what you like and what you want to change. Basically, the short answer is that you develop a style by working.
As for getting your art seen, I suggest searching sites like CaFE (Call for Entry), which posts calls for in-person and virtual competitions and exhibition opportunities. You might want to ask an experienced artist for help with this, because you have to be careful--especially if money is involved. There are galleries that support themselves by running juried shows and never do anything to help artists. There are also galleries that charge artists to show their work ("pay to play"). Definitely avoid! But CaFE and similar sites like EntryThingy post calls all the time for various opportunities; just search for "art calls for entry" and you'll find a bunch. College and university galleries are good places to exhibit, but many of them don't have any kind of financial assistance for artists for shipping, artist talks, etc., anymore, so you'll want to try to stay close to home.
One last tip: Start looking on sites like Artsy for artists whose style resonates with kind of work you do or want to do. Go to each artist's website, check out their CV, and see where they've exhibited. That will give you a sense of their career path and maybe give you some ideas of venues you might want to look into. Maybe start following them on Instagram or Pinterest if you're into social media. Consider having your own presence there as well.
Hope this helps! Best to you.
Re: "style," the ceramic sculptor Grayson Perry said, "Your mistakes are your style." What he means by that, I think, is to focus on doing your work the best you can, constantly analyzing and sharpening your skills and judgment, and you'll learn to accept your limitations as well as your strengths. If you keep at it, your style will emerge naturally, and you can begin to figure out what you like and what you want to change. Basically, the short answer is that you develop a style by working.
As for getting your art seen, I suggest searching sites like CaFE (Call for Entry), which posts calls for in-person and virtual competitions and exhibition opportunities. You might want to ask an experienced artist for help with this, because you have to be careful--especially if money is involved. There are galleries that support themselves by running juried shows and never do anything to help artists. There are also galleries that charge artists to show their work ("pay to play"). Definitely avoid! But CaFE and similar sites like EntryThingy post calls all the time for various opportunities; just search for "art calls for entry" and you'll find a bunch. College and university galleries are good places to exhibit, but many of them don't have any kind of financial assistance for artists for shipping, artist talks, etc., anymore, so you'll want to try to stay close to home.
One last tip: Start looking on sites like Artsy for artists whose style resonates with kind of work you do or want to do. Go to each artist's website, check out their CV, and see where they've exhibited. That will give you a sense of their career path and maybe give you some ideas of venues you might want to look into. Maybe start following them on Instagram or Pinterest if you're into social media. Consider having your own presence there as well.
Hope this helps! Best to you.
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Isabella !
As a high school student in Monterey, Tennessee it may be a bit hard to get your art seen to where it would be shown in public in the art world. There are no art galleries in Monterey, Tennessee, but you can ask someone at your school if you can have an event - an art show of yours and other student's art work. That's basically one thing you can do now. Try to do things at school and then in college there may be more opportunities through college.
There's really no artist community where you live. Hopefully your website will prove to be advantageous. Commissions are obtained from people that commission you to create a work of art that the client makes detailed specifications for. It would be a brand new work, not something you have already made. I'm not sure how you would start getting commissions in high school, especially in an area where there's no art community. Many times the customers to do this chooses a known artist in their area. I am also not sure that there is a lot of call for digital media commissions because many business people or others know how to do it or already know people that can do it. Painting and Sculpture are usually the most commissioned. Digital Media is sometimes commissioned but it is a very narrow market.
If you can't rely on commissions, why not look into applying for scholarships to help with your college costs ? There are many scholarships and Federal Student Financial Aid that you can apply for and you can find information about this at your high school as well as online by doing a search. Also, find out if the college you will be attending has a Gallery that you can be involved in. That is mostly how artists get known - through art shows and mingling at art events.
If you are serious about starting to get known as an artist, consider starting to spend a lot of time in Nashville which has a very rich Art Community. It's fine to have a website, but you really need to do considerable networking in person. Get business cards made up with the URL to your site on the card, too. Try to choose a college within an area that has an Art Community also so that you can become known while in college.
I am not sure why you are asking for "tips" on developing an art style but yet feel ready for and want commissions. No one can or should tell you what style to do, that is completely up to you. You will need to let natural artist inspiration guide you. When you begin college as a Digital Media Major, you will discover your style as well as learn how to do your career.
Usually the art that is hung in Galleries (you'd think about Nashville) is of artists that have already made a presence in their artist community. You should begin going to all the galleries in Nashville and speaking with the people. Besides being an opinion business, this career takes a great deal of networking to make contacts that will get your work shown and so that people will get to know your name and the work that you do. You'll have opportunities once you get to college.
I wish you all the best in discovering this exciting career !
As a high school student in Monterey, Tennessee it may be a bit hard to get your art seen to where it would be shown in public in the art world. There are no art galleries in Monterey, Tennessee, but you can ask someone at your school if you can have an event - an art show of yours and other student's art work. That's basically one thing you can do now. Try to do things at school and then in college there may be more opportunities through college.
There's really no artist community where you live. Hopefully your website will prove to be advantageous. Commissions are obtained from people that commission you to create a work of art that the client makes detailed specifications for. It would be a brand new work, not something you have already made. I'm not sure how you would start getting commissions in high school, especially in an area where there's no art community. Many times the customers to do this chooses a known artist in their area. I am also not sure that there is a lot of call for digital media commissions because many business people or others know how to do it or already know people that can do it. Painting and Sculpture are usually the most commissioned. Digital Media is sometimes commissioned but it is a very narrow market.
If you can't rely on commissions, why not look into applying for scholarships to help with your college costs ? There are many scholarships and Federal Student Financial Aid that you can apply for and you can find information about this at your high school as well as online by doing a search. Also, find out if the college you will be attending has a Gallery that you can be involved in. That is mostly how artists get known - through art shows and mingling at art events.
If you are serious about starting to get known as an artist, consider starting to spend a lot of time in Nashville which has a very rich Art Community. It's fine to have a website, but you really need to do considerable networking in person. Get business cards made up with the URL to your site on the card, too. Try to choose a college within an area that has an Art Community also so that you can become known while in college.
I am not sure why you are asking for "tips" on developing an art style but yet feel ready for and want commissions. No one can or should tell you what style to do, that is completely up to you. You will need to let natural artist inspiration guide you. When you begin college as a Digital Media Major, you will discover your style as well as learn how to do your career.
Usually the art that is hung in Galleries (you'd think about Nashville) is of artists that have already made a presence in their artist community. You should begin going to all the galleries in Nashville and speaking with the people. Besides being an opinion business, this career takes a great deal of networking to make contacts that will get your work shown and so that people will get to know your name and the work that you do. You'll have opportunities once you get to college.
I wish you all the best in discovering this exciting career !