What Makes An Artist Original?

As artists, trying different styles, aesthetics, and narratives helps us grow. It’s common to explore fan art or imitate other artists’ approaches. This works well for practice. But the goal should be to build your own voice—something personal, original, and clear.

Step 1: Learn Through Focused Study

Study gives you a map of what exists. Start with the fundamentals, for example:
– Shapes
– Composition
– Colour and light
– Storytelling

Use other artists’ work as examples to understand how tools work and how ideas take shape. Look at subjects that reflect human experience—emotion, conflict, change, beauty, contradiction. You can find these in books, films, conversations, and memory. Studying technique together with these deeper themes forms a solid base.

Step 2: Explore With Intent

Once you build a foundation, create your own pieces using what you’ve learned. Choose themes that matter to you. Use the tools to express your view. In this phase, the artwork starts to reflect your values, your culture, your interests.

Sometimes your work may resemble others. Focus on the idea you are expressing and the process you followed. Ask questions like:

– What part of this came from personal experience?
– What concept am I working through in this piece?
– What tools or methods helped me communicate it?

By focusing on your own process and themes, your work starts to gain structure and direction. This builds authenticity.

Step 3: Start Early and Stay Consistent

Create personal projects early, even if you feel unprepared. You will improve as you continue. Use each project as a step forward. Build a habit of asking questions and reflecting on what you want to say.

For example: I learned by copying. But a few months ago, I started asking why artists make certain choices. What do they see in reality? What emotion or concept are they trying to show? When I asked those questions, I found better material—in human nature, daily life, inner conflict. These themes give my work depth and make it easier to move forward with purpose.

Final Thought

Original work comes from experience combined with structure. Use what you learn to build your own system. Choose themes that mean something to you. Use tools to shape them. And stay in motion—because each step you take creates a clearer voice.

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70 HOURS TO GO!

Before the campaign of my book ends! We recently hit the £60k goal to unlock the final stretch goal reward: the sticker sheet, so good. In case you missed it, you still have time!. As a patron, make sure to use the links to get all the benefits!

Signed book + exclusive print:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1906838062/the-art-of-ramonn90?secret_reward_token=5629261e

Unsigned book + exclusive print:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1906838062/the-art-of-ramonn90?secret_reward_token=89737f38

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