This was such an eye opening class, Dylan! It was so helpful to put a bunch of the images I love together and find the common threads. I feel like I have a much better idea of what I am drawn to and why, as well as the language to express what I like.

Now I just need to keep these things in my mind when I am creating my own art. I think it will be the key to truly finding a cohesiveness in my style.

I had a really hard time narrowing it down to only 3 elements/principles (I am a maximalist after all), so I combined a couple of them together to make 3 groups.

First up: LINE + TEXTURE

Finding My Style with Elements and Principles of Design - image 1 - student project

I find that I tend to like drawings with visible outlines, especially when they have a slightly wonky, hand-drawn feel. I also really love the use of lines and dots to add texture, detail and depth, as seen in the teepee illustration and the jungle piece. I am definitely a maximalist and gravitate toward designs that are fairly busy and full with lots of embellishments and patterns within the artwork. I feel like texture can even be artwork on its own, as in the orange diamond pattern. It's imperfect lines add life and movement.

Next up: SPACE + CONTRAST

Finding My Style with Elements and Principles of Design - image 2 - student project

I don't like a lot of open, unfilled space. I like a pattern that is full and doesn't leave much space between motifs. When in doubt, add dots to fill the empty space! In the case of the black and white cat pattern, I don't mind the slightly larger empty spaces between them because the different shaped tails add interest and movement and I also like the contrast of black and white. I seem to be drawn to pieces that have little space but a lot of contrast. I tend to prefer a dark background with brighter earthy colors, but I am also a total sucker for black and white (especially stripes!). The exception to my no space rule can be seen in the dandelion sketch. I also appreciate a detailed and textured line drawing on its own, especially when balanced by a subtle dose of humor (blow me) and good contrast.

And lastly: BALANCE + EMPHASIS

Finding My Style with Elements and Principles of Design - image 3 - student project

I like a well balanced piece of art, but it doesn't necessarily have to be symmetrically balanced. I love a good folk style symmetrical pattern, but I am also attracted to pieces that have a slightly uneven balance as in the dancing skeletons piece and the mushroom girl piece which have the same types of trees on either side, but because they are hand drawn individually, they are not exact replicas of each other. Or with the piece in the bottom right corner, the feathers being similar but varying lengths and widths making it feel alive. I also like a diagonal balance, as in the cactus piece with the circles and the flowers, and the girl flying to the moon piece with the path of the girl and the moon.

I like pieces where the emphasis of the artwork is shown using contrast usually as a light color on a darker background, like the levitating girl, the hand with the eye, the cactus, and the mushroom girl. Or, as in the musicians in the forest, the contrast is the detail and texture of the musicians against the more blurry forest background.

Here are some examples of my work. After completing this exercise, I feel that I could go back to some of my older artwork and add some of the elements that I like to give them more texture, balance and contrast and bring more life and movement into my pieces. I feel this will help me to hone my style and make my portfolio more cohesive. I welcome any constructive criticism or comments!

Finding My Style with Elements and Principles of Design - image 4 - student project

Finding My Style with Elements and Principles of Design - image 5 - student project

Thanks so much!

Lara @lollygoatdesign

Lara Johnson

Lollygoat Design

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