Style
I find that when I look through the newest art here or on other art sites… I get bummed. Bummed not in the sense of “I can’t draw”, bummed in the sense of “what’s my style”? Others seemed to have honed and refined their art skills. Whether it’s in their painting, design or over all look of what they draw, it’s something that they own. They’ve made decisions based on influences as to how they want to art. Me? I feel sort of lost most time. Like I don’t know what my style is.
I’ve always drifted around following one artist or another, being in awe of their skills. Pulling techniques out and mimicking to learn but never really deciding on how I want to draw. I like so many styles that I find it hard to dedicate myself to just one and focus on it.
I feel like I’m sort of pulling a scam. I can draw… but I feel lost and don’t know what I like in my own art. I very much enjoy the art that I do, don’t get me wrong. It’s just, out side of work when I can draw how I want, I just feel lost.
Play Asia
August 17th, 2010 at 6:49 am
It’s interesting you picked another artist’s squirrel girl for your example.
Being an outsider to your art (like most all people), I can instantly recognize your art. Some artists have a very particular — probably what they would call a “style” and can’t see this — *static* way of drawing. They’re art gets tiring very quickly. No names need to name names. you can probably list 5 very quickly 🙂
Your style is continuously evolving, and it’s cool to see you’re flowing your style this way or that depending on who’s influencing you at the time. That’s a mark of a talented artist.
A fair amount of the public art of yours I see on this site and FA is of other’s characters. That may have something to do with you thinking you have no particular style. Every time you do them though, it’s in the “Joe Randel” style.
Part of having a defined style is a conscious effort to create characters having a particular design — model sheets and the like. But not stick to model sheets at all costs.
newf
August 17th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
but… that’s my squirrel girl… I drew that… T_T
August 18th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Aw man dude, that’s cold….
August 18th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Hey ! It’s HIS squirrel and a great one !
She has personality, style, an interesting choice of colors. From that one I know she was from an artist with good taste in colors, composition and shape. It was easy to spot his art from others’ profiles on deviant art or FA.
August 18th, 2010 at 8:06 am
Hey, there’s no need to get bummed about not having a “style.” Like newf said, if all your art looks too similar, then it gets boring. Yours is enough to recognize it’s your art, usually, but at the same time keep your fans interested.
Let me give you this example: my sister writes a lot of fan-fiction on the internet, and she’s pretty well known in her circles. However, part of this reason is because of her versatility – not because of her style. Granted, all of her stories are in some way connected to romance – she’s a ship writer. However, they range greatly in style and genre outside of that. Most writers she follows typically have “their” style. My sister, by contrast, will write any given story how she sees it fit to be written. A lot of her friends she sees as “storytellers” but sees herself more as a “writer.” She uses different styles of writing to give better emphasis to her stories, rather than just sticking with “her style” and bending the story so it works.
I don’t think drawing should be considered very much different in this respect. Rather than bend a character that may not be yours or that you only have a concept for in order to fit the way you draw – one artist comes to mind in which all of his females have the same identical body and only aesthetic differences to tell them apart such as faces – you have a variety of styles you’re willing to pull from – as such, all of your art feels very natural. Unlike other artists, I’ve never seen a drawing of yours that feels forced.
So cheer up, emo kid. We love you no matter how you draw.
August 18th, 2010 at 9:52 am
I agree with Newfmike. I can recognize your art in a second. All your images you draw have manage to keep a look of cuteness and innocence, even as they are being soaked in toon spooge, or rammed with toon dick.
August 18th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Hmm. Well I’m no artist (I’m lucky to pull off a stick figure or two…) but I definitely can tell you have your own style. For example, Lola Bunny. I’ve seen many variations of her by many different artists, but when I look at your art, I can without a doubt say “This came from Joe Randel.” Whether you believe it or not, you do have your own style.
Now if one were to look deeper into your style, one would notice that over the years, you have adapted and perfected your style. Where once the characters might have been sharp and definitive (again not an artist, but I think that is the word I’m looking for), have now become soft and cuddly and blended. If you look at your first Babs or Gwen pictures, and you compare them with recent Random Squirrel or the Lola/Fifi kiss picture (my favorite by the way) you can see what I mean.
I’m not sure what to say to make you feel better or to help you not feel lost. I’m sorry. But you should know it or not, your art is recognized all over the interwebs and that is something to be proud of. In my opinion, you do have your own art style that has been built by studying and personalizing the other art styles of other great artists out there. Besides if you think about it, where did they get their art styles? Had to come from studying artists that came before them….
August 19th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
I find your style to be very unique,Joe. When I look at your art,I can tell it apart from everyone else’s art,primarily because when you create art,the subjects are heppy,and enjoying themselves.
I can’t deny the fact that your art does have a Miu vibe,but he’s one of your primary inspirations,if I’m reading the concept map correctly,and you can’t be blamed for that.
All in all,my thoughts can be summed up with a not-so-polite-or-elegant “Whatchoo talkin’ ’bout?”
August 30th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
I’ve followed your work for while and I must say style is more so attention to detail and you’ve always shown that in my eyes. I think you’re a cut above the rest, adapting and changing as you go is also a type of style if you think about it and I hope you’ll continue. I’m looking forward to see what’s next. ^.^