Finding your Artist style is like a Great Big Onion*

*Thanks to the inspiration from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell! (The Onion Song )

They say your artistic style “emerges” if you just make enough work.

But what if it’s not that simple? What if style isn’t something you find at all — but something you uncover, like peeling back the layers of a very large, occasionally tear-inducing onion?

This is the messy, honest part of my journey as an illustrator: the myths, the mindset blocks, the quirky dog-drawing side projects, and the slow, tender work of letting my real self be seen.

If you spend any time in creative circles, you’ve probably heard the advice: “Just make loads of work and your style will emerge.”

It’s well-meaning advice. And maybe it’s true for some people. But for me (and I suspect a lot of others), it hasn’t been that simple.

The trouble I’m having at the moment is that I can’t quite figure out what’s unique about my art — even though I can see I’m improving. I sometimes struggle to see what’s unique about other people’s work too. It’s as if the world is simultaneously telling us to both “be original” and “fit in,” which leaves me in a creative tug-of-war with myself.

Peeling Back the Onion layers

For me, I’ve come to discover that ‘finding’ an artistic style is like peeling an enormous onion. It’s less about “inventing” something brand new and more about uncovering what was already there — removing the layers of false self, “shoulds,” and societal expectations to reveal the core of who we are as artists.

Over time, life can pull us away from that core. Childhood wonder gets replaced by rules, grades, and well-meaning authority figures who nudge us toward practicality. That’s how you end up with adults who say they’re “no good at art” — not because it’s true, but because somewhere along the line, a parent, teacher, or peer planted that belief.

Then there’s the classic myth: “You can’t make money from art.” Another layer of conditioning, another reason to give up before we’ve even started.

Style and Safety

If an artist’s style reflects their personality, philosophy, ideas, and emotions, what happens when those things have been mocked, dismissed, or shamed?

The subconscious steps in to protect us. It whispers: Don’t go there. Don’t share that. It’s not safe.

And so, while I might want to “find my style,” I have to acknowledge that it won’t come easily if I don’t feel safe to express my real self. This isn’t just a discipline problem — it’s a mindset and self-trust problem. Which means “just make a lot of work” might not work until I’ve untangled those inner beliefs.

An example

Take my current side project: the A–Z of dog breeds. I’ve always loved dogs — to the point of happily watching Crufts and memorising breed names just for fun. It’s quirky, maybe even a bit odd, and it doesn’t make perfect sense in the context of “building a portfolio.” But it’s something that makes me feel like me.

Sharing it is my way of testing the waters — showing something personal and playful to the world without overthinking whether it “fits” my style.

Uncovering, not finding

So maybe the language matters. Maybe instead of “finding” our style — which sounds like it’s hidden somewhere outside of us — we should be talking about uncovering or excavating it.

That process takes time. It takes gentleness. And it takes more than just filling sketchbooks. It asks us to explore why we’re scared to be visible, to dismantle unhelpful beliefs about what it means to be an artist, and to peel back those onion layers until the essence of our creativity can finally breathe.

If you’re also peeling your onion, welcome. Bring tissues. There might be tears. But there will also be clarity, freedom, and the joy of creating from a place that feels entirely — unapologetically — like you.