What to Do When Your Style Feels All Over the Place

You scroll through your own work and think… “Was this made by five different people?”

Relatable. Painfully so.

If your art style feels like it’s having an identity crisis—jumpy, inconsistent, maybe even a little chaotic—you’re not alone.

And if it leaves you feeling like you’re not a “real” artist yet — or, even as a seasoned artist, like you’re finding your footing all over again — you’re really not alone.

Here’s the truth: your style doesn’t have to be one thing.

In fact, it shouldn’t be—especially when you’re still evolving. Because your style isn’t just what your art looks like. It’s how you see, how you choose, how you feel. It’s the thread that runs through your work whether you notice it yet or not.

And honestly? I’m still finding mine. Some weeks I’m into delicate, dreamy lines and soft colour palettes. Other weeks I want bold shapes and cartoon chaos. I get it—it can feel like your portfolio is having an identity crisis. But that doesn’t mean you’re lost. It just means you’re exploring.

Here’s what I remind myself (and now you):

1. Your style evolves naturally.

The more you make, the more consistent you get. You don’t have to choose a style like you’re picking a font. It unfolds on its own, through repetition, curiosity, and time. You might not see it happening, but others will.

2. Exploration is not failure.

Trying different mediums, trends, aesthetics, or techniques is not a detour—it’s development. You’re not flaky for bouncing around. You’re gathering tools, tastes, and ideas. You’re experimenting, which part of growing as an artist.

3. Your voice is already in there.

Even if your art “looks different” piece to piece, your choices—how you draw a face, what colours you’re drawn to, the textures you lean toward—leave clues. The way you solve creative problems is part of your fingerprint.

Some small ways to reconnect with your style:

• Make a mood board of pieces you’ve made that feel most you. Don’t overthink it—just collect what you love and look for patterns.

• Draw one subject five different ways. Same subject, different styles. You’ll be surprised what shows up.

• Take a break from social scrolling. If you’re constantly seeing everyone else’s style, it’s easy to feel thrown off your own. Step away for a bit and let your brain detox.

• Make ugly art on purpose. Remove the pressure to “nail the look” and just have fun. Sometimes style shows up when you’re not trying so hard to impress yourself.

One last thing:

Style isn’t a trophy you unlock. It’s not a linear journey, and it’s not a fixed aesthetic. It’s more like a living thing that shifts with you. So if yours feels messy or uncertain right now—same. Keep making things anyway.

You’re not lost. You’re layering up.

I’ll be sharing a fresh prompt list in the next post to help kickstart creativity - stay tuned!