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Do you consider yourself someone who appreciates art, but feels a bit lost in the sometimes overwhelming world of artistic expression? Or, perhaps you’d like cool art prints to decorate the walls of your new home with, but haven’t gone through the experience of choosing from a very wide selection of pieces?
Fear not, as this guide is written for those who may not consider themselves "artsy," but are eager to discover art pieces that resonate with their unique tastes. Let's unveil the art enthusiast in you and explore different avenues to find your personal art style.
1) Get to Know Your Style
While following art trends is one way to start your art collection, you wouldn’t want to be stocking your place with art pieces that don’t appeal to you. If you intend for these to grace the walls of your home for a long time, you’ll want art that inspires, challenges or brings out interesting emotions from within you.
Being able to understand your personal preferences is a good first step towards discovering art that truly speaks to you. To achieve this, you can look at art pieces and start reflecting on the colours, themes, and emotions that move something in you.
Are you drawn to vibrant and bold palettes, or do you find solace in muted tones? Have you always enjoyed classic art styles, or are you more drawn to the contemporary styles you see in sick graphic design prints?
Consider the styles that evoke positive or complex feelings in you, and make a mental note of what your preferences are really like. Take pictures of these pieces or bookmark the most eye-catching illustration art prints from a platform like DROOL. It doesn’t matter whether you vibe with abstract, surrealist, or realist art. No one can decide on your style but you, and being able to identify what excites you art-wise will do a lot to further your creativity.
2) Visit Local Museums and Art Fairs
Local museums and art fairs are treasure troves for artistic experiences. Attend these events to immerse yourself in a diverse range of artistic styles and genres. Don’t be worried, too, about not having too broad a vocabulary for art. You’ll be among people who are just as curious as you, and you’ll be in the best position to learn about art from artists themselves.
Engage with the artworks by asking artists questions, attending guided tours, and simply allowing yourself to be captivated by the stories behind each piece. The accessibility and variety at these venues may also help you discover hidden gems that align with your evolving preferences for art.
3) Follow Art Blogs and Publications
Now that we’re in the digital age, exploring art has never been more convenient. You can follow a number of reputable art blogs and publications for free to gain insights into the art styles and artists you’re most curious about.
Online art platforms and galleries will also offer you a wealth of information on artists, exhibitions, and different sectors of the art market. It won’t be hard to discover exciting new art from your computer or phone screen and broaden your horizons.
4) Archive the Art that You Like
It should also be a fun exercise to create a personal art archive for yourself, documenting and revisiting your favourite artworks. You can do this using online platforms like Pinterest or Instagram, where you can curate virtual collections of pieces that interest you.
Archiving allows you to track your evolving tastes and get some food for thought about what drives your artistic inspiration. Revisit your archive regularly to rediscover artworks that speak with you and to refine your understanding of your personal art style.
5) Enroll in an Art Appreciation Class
For a more structured approach to art discovery, consider enrolling in an art appreciation class or something similar. These classes can help you do a deep dive on art history, various artistic movements, and the principles of artistic expression.
Whether you want to push the envelope further and learn artistic techniques yourself or simply want to be a master of your favourite types of art, local classes or online courses will enhance your understanding of art and even put you toe-to-toe with naturally artsy types.
6) Trust Your Instincts
Lastly, don’t forget the role of intuition in nurturing your artistic sense. Trust your instincts and emotional responses to artwork. Don’t be afraid of judgement from other people about how you feel about a particular work or settle on an opinion because it seems like the “smarter” or “artsier” one.
Allow yourself to be moved by a piece that resonates with you on a personal level. Everyone’s emotional connections to art are unique, and yours is what you can trust to develop an art style and art preferences that truly reflect your individuality.
Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and explore styles that intrigue you, even if they differ from your initial preferences. Again, the key is to trust your instincts and embrace the fluidity of your evolving taste in art.
Ultimately, knowing the art you like will lead to a more authentic engagement with it. This creativity is sure to seep into other aspects of your life and bring out the inner artist who was probably there all along.
