One of the most common things I hear from students is this: “I just want my art to feel more like me.” And I get it—because I’ve been there too. There’s something deeply personal about making art, and when it doesn’t feel like it’s coming from your own voice, it can leave you feeling disconnected from your work.

Whether you're just starting out or you've been painting for years, figuring out how to make your art feel more like you is a journey that takes time, curiosity, and trust. It’s not about finding the “right” way to paint—it’s about discovering the way you paint when you stop trying to sound (or look) like everyone else.

So if you’ve ever stared at your work and thought, this doesn’t really feel like me, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about what it actually means to create in your own style—and how you can start tapping into it in a real and authentic way.

What Does “Your Own Style” Even Mean?

Let’s start here—because I think the idea of “finding your style” can get a little confusing. A lot of people think it means picking a certain look and sticking to it forever. But in my experience, it’s not that rigid.

Your style is simply the way your creativity naturally flows through your hands, your brush, your colors, your choices. It’s the combination of your preferences, your influences, your lived experiences—and it’s always evolving. (And honestly, it should evolve.)

The tricky part is that most of us spend so much time consuming other people’s work that we forget how to listen to our own instincts. We try to mimic what we see, hoping it will unlock something in us. But the more you try to fit into someone else’s box, the harder it becomes to hear your own voice.

So if you’re wondering how to make your art feel more like you, the first step is learning how to come back to yourself.

Side note: If you’ve ever wrestled with how to stay inspired by other artists without accidentally copying their work, I wrote a blog post you’ll love—How to Be Inspired by an Artist Without Copying. It’s packed with practical tips for navigating influence without losing your own voice.

Ways to Make Your Art More Personal

There are so many ways to bring more of you into your art—and you don’t need to overhaul your entire practice to start doing it. These are the small shifts that have made a big difference for me over the years (and I still come back to them often when I feel disconnected from my work).

1. Follow Your Natural Instincts

This sounds simple, but it’s huge.

What colors are you naturally drawn to? What shapes or textures do you love painting? What kind of brush strokes feel satisfying in your hand?

Instead of asking, What should this look like?, start asking, What feels right to me? Even if it’s not trendy or polished or perfect—follow it. That’s where your style starts to come alive.

Sometimes I’ll notice I’m reaching for the same greens or coral tones again and again (even when I try to branch out). And I’ve learned to just trust that pull—because that’s my style showing up.

2. Embrace Imperfections

This one’s hard, especially if you’re used to striving for “perfect” art. But the truth is—perfection is the fastest way to erase your personality from your work.

The little quirks, the uneven lines, the unpredictable blending in watercolor— that’s where the soul of your art lives. That’s the part that people connect with.

Some of my favorite paintings have tiny flaws or odd shapes that I originally tried to fix. But those “mistakes” are often what make the piece feel real—and that’s what helps your art feel like you.

3. Infuse Meaning into Your Work

One of the best ways to make your art more personal is to give it a deeper meaning—something rooted in your story or your life experience.

For example, in my children’s book project (you can follow along on the process here), I’ve woven in pieces of my life—like the eucalyptus tree that grows outside my house and my background in calligraphy. These aren’t random details—they’re part of my story, and they’ve helped shape how the book feels visually and emotionally.

So ask yourself: What memories, places, or symbols feel meaningful to you? It doesn’t have to be obvious or literal. Even just using colors that remind you of home or shapes inspired by your surroundings can bring more of you into the work.

4. Experiment Without Pressure

Sometimes the best way to discover your style is to stop trying to figure it out and just start playing.

Try something new—a different brush shape, a new color palette, a looser technique. Then notice what you like and what you don’t. Don’t worry about making something “good.” Just explore.

The more you allow yourself to explore, the more your preferences start to reveal themselves—and that’s key if you’re learning how to make your art feel more like you.

5. Limit Your Inspiration Overload

This is a big one, and it might sound counterintuitive at first.

Inspiration is important—but too much of it can drown out your own voice. If you’re spending hours scrolling Pinterest or Instagram before you ever pick up your brush, you’re probably absorbing more than you realize. It’s hard to make something original when your head is filled with someone else’s style.

I’m not saying you should stop looking at beautiful art. But try this: before you dive into painting, take five minutes to check in with yourself first. What do you want to create today? What colors are you feeling pulled toward? What’s a shape or flower you’ve been wanting to explore?

Your voice won’t get louder unless you give it space.

The Role of Practice and Patience

I know this isn’t the most exciting answer—but it’s the honest one. If you really want to know how to make your art feel more like you, you have to keep showing up.

Style doesn’t appear overnight. It’s something that grows over time—through repetition, exploration, and learning from your own work.

Every sketch, every painting, every piece you make (even the ones you hate) is part of your journey. And with each one, you get closer to understanding what makes your work yours.

So keep painting. Keep asking questions. Keep paying attention to what feels true to you—and trust that your style is unfolding exactly the way it’s meant to.

Want More Guidance on Finding Your Flow?

If this is something you’ve been thinking about—how to create art that feels more aligned with who you are, how to build confidence in your creative voice—I’d love to invite you to check out my course The Art Within.

This is where I teach the exact process I use in my own creative work—from developing original ideas to finding flow in your practice. Our students are creating work that finally feels like them—not just a copy of someone else’s tutorial.

And most importantly, you’ll learn how to make your art feel more like you—from the inside out.

You can check out The Art Within here.

How to Make Your Art Feel More Like You

And wherever you are on your art journey right now, just remember—your style is already inside you. You don’t have to chase it. You just have to create enough space for it to show up.

Keep painting. Keep exploring. Keep coming back to yourself.

That’s how your best work always begins.