Does Signature Style Matter in Art Licensing?
It’s Halloween week so I am talking about something that seems to spook SO many artists looking to get into art licensing… signature style. These two little words seem to cause widespread panic to many artists, and I can totally understand why.
Let’s jump back to early 2022, before I had even started my art licensing journey, to when I was just taking all kinds of Skillshare courses to try and learn Procreate. I was just focused on understanding the program and figuring out how to make art in a new way. Eventually I found my way around the program and was proud that I could follow along with the projects that the instructors set out in their courses, with results that looked very similar to the teacher’s example. With with Procreate problem tackled, I moved on to jumping into all things art licensing and learning all I could about the industry.
Suddenly, I realized that I now had a new problem. I had been so focused on how to create the art, and trying to mimic the instructors example, that I had neglected to consider what MY art should look like. As I started learning more about art licensing, I kept coming across the concept of "signature style.” These two little words kept rattling around in the back of my head, and I knew that it was time to face them head on!
What I kept coming across was this idea that having a signature style was very important for artists who were looking to build a strong brand in the art licensing world. I was very aware that not all successful licensing artists had just one style, but the ones that I was really impressed by, the ones landing their art in places like Anthropologie, Target, Crate and Barrel… they all had it. So, I knew that if I wanted to build something like that, I needed my own signature style.
My approach for defining my signature was very intentional, and I know that some of you might think that “choosing” a signature style goes against the very nature of the concept. A signature style is something that chooses us, right? Well, yes and no.
I wanted to lean into my own, natural inclinations as an artist when developing my style, but I also wanted to be mindful of the other priorities that I was focusing on in my creative career. Priorities like work-life balance, and the types of clients I was going to be pitching my artwork to. So, with all of these considerations in mind, I set to work to define and refine my signature style.
It was not the easiest process, but eventually I landed on something that worked for me. A playful, bold, style that was simple, yet expressive. If you know me and my art, you probably know that my style is instantly recognizable, and I am very proud of that! I worked hard to make that happen :)
I attribute my strong signature style to much of my fast success in art licensing. Some people are surprised when I say this, but here is why I think signature style was such an impactful part of my success.
You stand out. Having a signature style that is unique from other art currently being pitched is attractive to clients. This is pretty obvious, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important.
My art all goes together. When you have a signature style that is consistent across all of your art, you can easily mix and match almost ANY piece with any OTHER piece, and they will go together. My clients have built collections out of 8-10 pieces of standalone art, and it looks like it was all part of one singular collection.
Clients know what they are getting. If a client has a request for a new piece of art or even a whole new collection, they know exactly what style it will be in and can be confident in what the end result will be.
My workflow is SO MUCH more efficient. When I sit down to start a new piece of art, my process is so streamlined that I feel like I can almost do it with my eyes closed. I know my sketch process, my brushes, my colors, my motifs, my composition, how I will handle text… all of it. All I have to bring with me is a new idea and I can jump right in without a moments hesistation.
Recognizability x Repeatability = Success. I have come to the realization that this formula is one of most fundemental building blocks of a successful art licensing business. When you can create art that people know and love, and you can do it over and over again (hopefully in a pretty time efficient way) then you are going to be successful in licensing your art. Period. Full-stop.
Over the past few months I have been thinking more and more about how to share my process for finding and developing my own signature style. I decided that the best way to do this was to make a mini course that does a deep dive into all things signature style. I am SO EXCITED to share that Signature Style Studio is coming soon, and I hope to have it live + open for registration in the next few weeks!
If you want to access to Signature Style Studio before everyone else, and want the guaranteed lowest price offered, then join the waitlist now!
This mini-course is made-up of 3 modules covering 12 lessons, takes you through the entire process of creating your own Signature Style! Even if you already have a style that you work in, but you feel like it could be stronger, this course is the perfect push to make your signature style SHINE.
Because I know that none of us have tons of extra time on our hands, the course will be about 90 minutes long and something that can be tackled in a a few days to a weeks time. There will be worksheets and exercises to guide you through each part of the process, and I share tons of my own examples along the way. I believe so strongly in signature style that I am super committed to making this course as accessible to everyone as I possibly can, and will be pricing it in the $100-$200 range.
I am so, so proud of this mini course that I have created, and I am even MORE proud of all of you who I know will be joining me to make your style shine through - your art licensing business is going to be so much stronger for it!
Questions? Thoughts? As always don’t be a stranger - reach out! Email me at Krissy@krissymast.com or send me a DM on Instagram!
P.S. - Have you checked out my new Instagram feed @artlicensingunlocked where I am sharing the wins from my students inside Art Licensing Unlocked? Come follow along for the journey, I LOVE bragging about my students and sharing their art with everyone I can!
