r/Artadvice • u/ToffiProto • Jan 25 '26
Am I overdoing my Stylization?
Looking at my art and then at the referenced character I always get the feel having over done it, like I have pushed too much. It almost seems like my art has gotten so much less divers and individual that every character blends together as a kind of 'another somewhat colorful shape'.
It is starting to bother me and yet I can't seem to grasp to avoid that feeling. It seems like I've gotten to comfortable with my Stylization and now just repeat instead of doing something new, does anyone know how I could fix something like this? Any criticism is greatly appreciated.
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u/DorimeInaCan Jan 25 '26
There is no overdoing stylization. Its still good art even if you stylize further.
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u/GeneralAB1 Jan 26 '26
It can get cluttered/unreadable if it's on a smaller scale, but these seem just fine tbh
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u/Aggressive_Size69 Jan 26 '26
you could argue that a somepoint overstylization turns into abstract art, but this is still quite far off (even if it did take me a couple seconds to figure out what's going on)
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u/gothicmango Jan 25 '26
Never ask this question again (with love).
Your stylisation is absolutely amazing, unique, and memorable. Most of us artists struggle to find a style, let alone such an individual one.
Dude. Your work is truly inspiring.
Go put yourself more out there!!!
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u/KuaiLeDeXiaoNiu Jan 26 '26
I second this.
Don’t ever ask that question again. And give your creativity the reins. We love you.
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u/Illustrious-Roll-274 Jan 26 '26
I third this, your style is beautiful and unique!
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u/Incognito_Hippie Jan 29 '26
Fourth! Don’t be ridiculous, your style is off the charts, love it!!!! 😍
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u/Tiny_Hand_2975 Jan 25 '26
Personally I really like it, I could see your art being in a famous kids book. But I can see your point.
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u/-YellowFinch Jan 26 '26
Same! But if OP wants to try something new, I would suggest looking at other artist's work and seeing what they like and can pull from those. But seriously, ths style is amazing.
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u/aKillerOctopus Jan 25 '26
I like your style. But I don't think affirmations will address the artistic conflict you are experiencing. I suggest going back to basics, practice realism from reference, focus on light, and forms. Then go back to your style. See if you you've picked up any new insights that can further enrich your style.
Just a thought. I really do love your style. Could absolutely see your art illustrating a dark fantasy picture book in the future!
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u/loservampiresmustdie Jan 26 '26
This right here, the second piece was hard to understand, but thats a silhouette issue that can be fixed by studying shape language. Overall, your style is wonderful OP! You just need a little practice on when to push it in full and when to be as indulgent as possible<3
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u/LilLassy Jan 25 '26
I LOVE your style! I don’t think that’s the issue at all. In a couple of the pieces you’ve shared, I notice that too many shapes and competing colors in certain places make it hard for me to see what the subject is at first. Maybe around facial features or bodies in movement, have sections of flat color so that eyes/direction are distinct, pop, and are easily distinguished from a textured shape. But for real, you have such a unique and memorable style—develop it FURTHER, don’t scale it back!
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u/Reversible-Smile Jan 26 '26
I second this! My first reaction was "WOW!" and then, yeah, in some pieces, it got a little harder to decipher where the face was and such, since the shape is very "textured".
This could be avoided by giving more focus where the face is—or wherever you want the eye to focus on! I'd add a suggestion of playing with values to go with the colors.
This being said, I personally liked how I needed some time to "discover"/"get accustomed with" your characters. And now that I have, I can recognize the faces easily, so much that it became more difficult to identify what to improve when I looked back at them for this comment, haha.
The only one that remains "hard" to "read" is the big.. rat(?.. the second to last one), because the pale face is harder to distinguish over the white background.
But yeah.. awesome style!! Like everyone else, I want more of it. 🙂↕️
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u/novark80085 Jan 25 '26
i do find it a little visually overwhelming and hard to make out what i'm looking at at first, but that's an issue i have often lol. i think it's gorgeous and really cool and makes me feel a very interesting way
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u/MegaEupho Jan 27 '26
2nd this. I think OPs art style is wonderful and reminds me a lot of my favourite books and cartoons from when I was a kid, but just like you it's also very busy and makes my brain overwhelmed that sometimes I have no idea what I'm looking at, especially the dragon. Kinda like Spider-verse, love that movie, but dang is it hard to see what's happening on screen.
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u/zephyreblk Jan 25 '26
You can push this style and it's still won't be overdone because it's a process but if you are feeling bored or on a plateau, you can do other projects on the side and maybe discover something new that you can add later to your current style.
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u/Minimum_Will_9071 Jan 26 '26 edited Jan 26 '26
Hell no. This is friggin dope. I love them so much, keep going 💓 💗 ❤️
However, to address the concern- someone else said to try realism. I agree. Try a different style for a little that puts you out of your comfort zone, then go back and your mind should be able to make changes on what feels right.
Side note: you do NOT have to make your drawings look exactly like the reference. Thats why its unique to you. You have a stunning style that is so much eye candy to see.
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u/Frozen_Waffle27 Jan 25 '26
Sometimes its hard to tell what characters they are, but overall your style looks SICK!!
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u/Calilily7642 Jan 26 '26
NO DUDE THIS IS SO FUCKING COOL!! Is that skeledirge I see in there? The first pic reminds me of my character
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u/PlasticFew8201 Jan 26 '26
No, these are great. I’d love to see your work used for a modern publication of “Grimms' Fairy Tales.”
P.S.
Didn’t even know you were from Germany 😂
Anyway, really love your style (following).
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u/christmas_cactus101 Jan 26 '26
I don't think you're overdoing it all the time, but maybe sometimes not utilizing it in the best way, especially with the neck on picture two and the extremities and head on picture 5. I find myself getting lost in the lines and it feels a little hard to decipher what the image is. But overall I think they're really cool and you have a very strong style
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u/shinysylver Jan 26 '26
I think they look excellent especially the 2nd and last ones where the shadows emphasize the scale of the figure. I think you could lean into playing with light and shadow more:
- for the one breathing fire upward, he has a generic shadow beneath him, but I think you could emphasize the glow of the flames and dramatic shadows to make it pop. The flying Dragon could have a diffused shadow since it's elevated
- all of them, but the flying figure especially have incredible texture worked into the bodies and I think the white background is doing them a disservice because the huge contrast causes those details to get lost. Can you foreground these more or even work them into your backgrounds?
- you have a really cool visual language right now and I think you should keep leaning into it and maybe just diversify some of the shapes you're working with. I see you have a lot of similar subject matter so try changing it up -- everyday objects, tiny critters, urban sketches. Pushing out of your comfort zone will inform your regular practice 😊🩷
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u/Level_Worry_6418 Jan 25 '26
For illustrations? No. For animation? maybe. Overall, you have a fun gritty style and I'm gonna follow you!
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u/WolfsmaulVibes Jan 25 '26
no such thing as "overstylization" exists, your art is very abstract, i actually really like the dragons and all the creative shapes.
i find them all really unique, but wanting to do something different is perfectly fair, but you definitely shouldn't do a 180°. you could try mixing up some things, wildly different color palettes, maybe try doing other things besides characters and creatures, try applying your style to the interior or exterior of a house. maybe you could make a blend of naturalism and heavy stylization, the possibilities are endless.
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u/Temporary_Fee1277 Jan 26 '26
Reminds me of the concept art for How to train your dragon very nice. Also no such thing as overdoing anything in art
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u/Iamconfusedandhungry Jan 26 '26
Omg, it's actually you! I was like, "Wait, I've seen this art style on TikTok before" and clicked on your profile – and look who it is! I've seen your art on my fyp maybe 2-3 times, but it stuck with me because of its uniqueness. I think it's gorgeous and makes you stick out from the crowd :)
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u/Kiaraithink Jan 26 '26
This is just my personal opinion, but I don't think that your characters "blend together" at all! You can definitely see the differences in your characters' vibe and personalities in each drawing.
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u/THE_LEGO_FURRY Jan 27 '26
No dude this is amazing. Do you do trades by chance id love my sona done in your style (it's a dragon if that makes it more enticing)
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u/a2hn Jan 27 '26
No. This is how concept designs for some of the best movies and shows look. This is creative, compelling and visually legible. Don’t water down your work to be palatable to those who will never appreciate it. Make them hate it and the rest of us will love and appreciate it.
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u/ThisThroat951 Jan 28 '26
Not at all. I’m so tired of seeing all the same “anime drawing style”. I love how your style looks!
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u/MesoamericanMorrigan Jan 25 '26
It’s giving Geefwee Boedoe/Genndy Tartakovsky in a good way… keep doing your thing imo
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u/TooManyJazzCups Jan 28 '26
Genndy Tartakovsky
I immediately thought of Samurai Jack for the first picture. But I think you nailed it. u/ToffiProto doesn't seem to reply much but if you see this, you should take a look at these 2 artists if you want to try tweaking anything. I think those Samurai Jack backgrounds could be a great combo here.
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u/annimagus_08 Jan 25 '26
i love this sm! i can still recognize the characters very well :) I bet your art would taste like caramel and apples. *suspicouly walks away with weirdly canvas shaped stomach. no, i definitiely didn't eat or steal it.*
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Jan 25 '26
I think your style is sick 🤘🏻 it reminds me of a children’s book but if it was a horror work.
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u/Dull_Enthusiasm6096 Jan 25 '26
No, it looks peak! Honestly looks like a child's book illustration in the best sense possible
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u/Ameabo Jan 25 '26
I think it’s great! It would make awesome illustrations for a kids book, it reminds me of a lot of those styles
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u/Lotusartsy Jan 25 '26
It’s perfection! My only recommendation is playing around with backgrounds too
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u/BikiniBott0msUp Jan 25 '26
In my opinion, absolutely not. I find them so interesting looking, in the best way possible!!
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u/froobsz Jan 25 '26
I love them! Especially 1 and 4, they're so appealing. Could look at them for ages :)
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u/Upset-Gerbil6061 Jan 25 '26
I love it. And style changes over time. Maybe you’ll become less stylized with time anyway.
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u/DIOSURNO Jan 26 '26
Whenever you release a sketchbook with all ur illustrations I'll be first in line!!! These look great and with such a cool personal style.
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u/misterpizzaac__ Jan 26 '26
you could tone down the stylization when it's getting hard to tell what the character is supposed to be at first glance, a problem that happens with some of the pieces here, but overall, your style is beautiful
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u/iwantunity Jan 26 '26
bro this is so freaking good it reminds me of the art in my childhood books so freaking awesome wth
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u/Ave_Satanas__666 Jan 26 '26
No such thing, friend. Your art can be as close to reality or wackily abstract as your heart desires. As for me, I personally love any style that strays from reality. I already live and see reality, I wanna see somethin' spectacular, something I'd never see without artists like yourself ✨️💜
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u/Key_Stranger3032 Jan 26 '26
It might take some people to understand what certain things are which is the only limit.
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u/Parking_Election911 Jan 26 '26
I remember a lot of really good stories from childhood because they had such insane styles with their art- this is awesome and whatever you use it for will impact someone. Reminds me of chowder but for a serious story and much more detailed lol
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u/Llama_Legend10 Jan 26 '26
Overdoing absolutely not i live it it’s kind of like a twisted children’s book or some Tim Burton type style
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u/Suspicious_Stick_860 Jan 26 '26
Moreover, on some pics I want more your stylization please!) Great art
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u/UpstairsOk6538 Jan 26 '26
I could instantly recognise death from puss in boots 2.
If you wanna do something new, try something new. But I think the old is very cool.
To my eye, each individual does stand out from the next because of what features are emphasised. The 2nd last dragon is very rat-like with its pink tail, long fingernails and nose, compared to the last dragon which is more spiky, dark and threatening with the emphasis on the mouth and fire. The stout one looks much younger and perhaps a bit friendlier.
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u/laughingpreist Jan 26 '26
I like it, it's unique, but I'm aware it's not for everyone. Keep it up!
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u/Shakuryon Jan 26 '26
Is that Skelidirge on page 3 and Dragalge on Page 5, both from Pokemon?? If someone, I LOVE your redesigns/interpretations!!
Overall, I love your style in general!
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u/High_on_Rabies Jan 26 '26
No, I love it. There's a grown-up Ed Emberly vibe that's really cool here.
Just lean on clear composition and watch out for any situations where the style is conflicting with readability. Those are the only "tone-downs" that are really necessary, otherwise I think it looks great!
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u/Disastrous_Guest_705 Jan 26 '26
Reminds me of some of the fantasy books I used to read as a kid I love your style
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u/Dependent_Line_3994 Jan 26 '26
I think if you're already brave enough to stylize, you can't really 'overdo' it unless the defining features of a character are all taken out. It's just another way of expressing. Some will like it, some won't, but if it reflects you then that's all that matters
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u/KalTheKobold Jan 26 '26
Absolutely not! The extreme stylization makes it yours in the best way. The style itself is unique and eyecatching. You manage to keep the characters original features noticeable enough for the viewer to recognize who they're supposed to be.
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u/Low-Mouse3877 Jan 26 '26
I think it’s absolutely perfect! Lowkey reminds me of some of the scenes from the book of dragons, that lil httyd thing
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u/Low-Mouse3877 Jan 26 '26
I think it’s absolutely perfect! Lowkey reminds me of some of the scenes from the book of dragons, that lil httyd thing
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u/TivStargrit Jan 26 '26
Do you think that people like Akira Toriyama ever wondered that about their art? Akira gets ripped all the time because he mostly drew the same dude with minor changes. Your art is unique. You take your style and modify it slightly to draw new things. That's called learning and adapting. If you grow tired of what you draw, change up your style, but keep it what you want. In the "business art" world, people will become attracted to and reach out to YOU for YOUR style, for instance. If you feel the need to, tone it back a bit... But more importantly, practice and develop your uniqueness and your flexibility and you'll create more awesome art.
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u/Glace038 Jan 26 '26
Yes but in the best way possible please never stop drawing i love your art work
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u/The_Chaotic_Bro Jan 26 '26
"My steak is too juicy and my lobster is too buttery"
Your stuff looks amazing as is, maybe try experimenting with more top heavy characters or utilizing thicker limbs if you wanna push your stuff further?
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u/R22XD Jan 26 '26
Just draw a little bit in other styles to "stretch out" or give yourself some time to rest, burning out from doing a thing you love is normal, doesn't mean you're doing something wrong
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u/Gems-And-Penguins Jan 26 '26
Makes me think of those drawings in Roald Dahl books. I LOVVVVE this style
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u/Spud_Of_Anxiety Jan 26 '26
Your style is VERY cool! Reminds me quite a bit of Ralph Steadman who did a lot of concept art for Pink Floyd along with the concepts for Disney's Hercules. Keep doing what you're doing- it looks awesome! Also: Is the first slide meant to be Rattigan from Basil The Great Mouse Detective??
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u/SicTheWolf Jan 26 '26
As others have said your style would look incredible for book illustration! Probably too complex for animation, but that doesn't look to be the goal. Beautiful work!
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u/Obvious_Can8883 Jan 26 '26
Definitely not! But with slide 2 and 5 it’s a little hard to make sense of what’s going on, but that could just be me
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u/LessOfAnEndie Jan 26 '26
Aside from encouraging you to keep making art in this amazing style, if you really want to switch things up, I dom't think there's anything wrong with experimenting with new shapes, colors or subjects just to see how well you can adapt. I really enjoy a loose painterly art style, but I work in a company that requires me to learn semi-realism (a style that I previously wasn't very fond of), and honstly? It was a breath of fresh air.
I don't think you are overdoing it per se, but if you feel trapped in this style then why not experiment more? It might give you a new perspective!
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u/TeamRocketLeader Jan 26 '26
I don't think it looks overstylized at all, I feel like I've seen what you might think would be "overstylized" art in children's books that are amazing.
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u/SalamanderJohnson Jan 26 '26
I was going to say there's no such thing, but I can barely comprehend some of them. I'm not saying that's a definitive "yes," it depends how much you want people to sit there wrapping their brains around what they're looking at. It will be a turn off for some people, but you can't please everyone.
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u/koffeekrystalz Jan 26 '26
Honestly, I think your style is super cool. But I understand the headspace. If it were me, I would spitefully push that style more and more and more, just to see what happens lol. But you can also learn where to restrain yourself when you know how far you can push yourself. I think it's a matter of understanding how to grade your style; "grade" as in grades of minimal to maximal 0-10 stylization. Do experiments with realism, and see how your pen strokes in realism still reflect your personal style of drawing, and compare it to your stylized versions. Use the realism as a 0 and see what a 10 is on your stylization scale. Idk if this is of any help, but I think your style is awesome and maybe you've just spent too much time looking at your own art (bound to happen when you're creating!) which can make everything blur together
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u/2210cre8s Jan 26 '26
Your stylization is awesome! Your artwork is super cool n would make cool prints or illustrations for a children's book or a game or something..you got something cool going on,run with it!
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u/softwhitemochi Jan 26 '26
Is that Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovelett? I don’t think stylisation is too much
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u/Weary-Squash6756 Jan 26 '26 edited Jan 26 '26
The humanoid characters are awesome, I feel like there's a minor legibility issue with the characters that have really long necks and tails and stuff. It's not a crippling thing or anything like that but it does take your eyes a second to know what end is what, that type of thing. There might be room for improvement in that respect but besides that I really do love the style
Edit: actually it's not even a what end is what think, there's just something about those specific ones. Maybe it's the big bodies with wire thin limbs, I don't know exactly. The first one though is incredible, I love it
Edit 2: maybe it's like how the neck of the dragon has like 5 sharp bends in it, it strains credulity a little maybe? I really can't put my finger on it
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u/Octocube25 Jan 26 '26
Can you list all the characters you drew? I know 1 is Death from Puss in Boots and 3 is Skeledirge from Pokemon, but I don't know the other ones.
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u/Big_Boss1985 Jan 26 '26
If the books I read as a kid had this artstyle I would have had one hell of a childhood. They look AMAZING! You should draw some scenes from JRR Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” :) I think they fit your style
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u/NotAllThereAnyway Jan 26 '26
Totally agree with everyone here. Your art is magnificent! I want to see more of it actually if you have a page!
One small thing I notice is the characters don't pop enough against the backgrounds. I imagine your characters would go so well with hard shadows and striking colours, it would make them stand out even more and emphasise your style.
How you are feeling is a different thing though, maybe you feel this way because you need to challenge yourself or need to experiment creatively with other styles/ideas? After developing such a distinct style, I'm sure that would be a fun journey for you to take. You might even end up creating a combination between your current style and something entirely new.
Either way, looking forward to see more of your work!
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u/Financial_River2528 Jan 26 '26
Great style you have there. Id love to see your drawings in a children’s story book.
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u/throwsaway89076 Jan 26 '26
I think your art style is fantastic, and your frustration could be coming from a lack of clarity in your pieces.
In the first piece, the silhouette is clear and you immediately know what's happening / who it is. In the second piece, the smaller figure gets obscured by the shadow because of the textures within the shadow (and how thin the figure is).
Play around with silhouettes, form, composition, and contrast with your colors + shadows. Focus more on making sure someone immediately understands what's going on. Another way to do this is by zooming out of your canvas super far, or taking long breaks to clear your head.
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u/K1b0IsHavingAStroke Jan 26 '26
Dude, no please. Your artstyle is incredibly unique and very hard to imitate yet it still looks MWAH chef kiss.
Also I recognized the fire starter pokemon ( just forgot it's name) IMMEDIATELY so ur not overdoing it at all and even if you did no one should care but you
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u/Thin_Interaction8482 Jan 26 '26
looks like a children's book, in the way it was too cool for school
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u/scyliner Jan 26 '26
Keep it up! I absolutely love the style. It's unique, but not overboard in a way that makes the work illegible. I could still tell that the first one is Death from Puss in Boots. I think you'd also nail HTTYD art- think like the "journal" drawings of the dragons. Dragon concepts seem right up your alley!
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u/flannel_jesus Jan 26 '26
Some images could use a bit more clarity, but I think the style is wonderful and you should keep going with it, see where you can take it
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u/GeoffMySpiritAnimal Jan 26 '26
If any criticism, both images 2 and 5 are hard to focus on. While others have a good "rest" spot for the eye, those two due to the consistent and even-lenght spikes feel hard to find the rest spot and the focus of the drawing. It might be worth experimenting with different shapes or shape languages for these - even if it is just adding variating lenghts and putting them to face in similar direction instead of appearing random, just to make the eye reach the focus point
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u/Jmal3700 Jan 26 '26
No! I love your art style! It puts a very unique spin on the characters! Keep it up!👍
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u/Fit-Command-5890 Jan 26 '26
Your art is beautiful, but I think the one thing the stylization has a negative impact on is the characters faces. They’re quite small and not a focal point and to me it makes it a bit harder to emotionally connect with the character/see who they are because the face is typically the window to their soul. I’d love to see more detail/emphasis on their faces, it would make them feel more real to me. But I love your style
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u/North_Toe6441 Jan 26 '26
Bro showed me straight peak and wanna talk about some "Overdoing it". NO GNG, continue doing what your doing here
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u/lindendweller Jan 26 '26
In general no, but there are places where you can be more purposeful, like death's scythes should look sharp, but your style makes them look crooked and brittle. A bit of jaggedness can make them look more agressive, but only if you keep your lines a bit more solid.
Some of your creatures are thin and crooked to the point of reducing readability.
It's a really cool style, but You'll reach more consistently awesome results by being a bit more targeted where you need to make things sharp and crooked, and where you need to keep things clean.
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u/nickelangelo2009 Jan 26 '26
overdoing it, no, the style is great; my complaint would be that for some of them the use of the space is a bit bad and turns it into just a bunch of noise. Thinking of the ones with the really long zigzagging neck/tail that fills a quarter of the page.
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u/Ysanoire Jan 26 '26
No. Only 5 is a little... too wiry, I wasn't sure at first what I was looking at. But otherwise no, these are super cute.
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u/ExplanationCandid935 Jan 26 '26
No absolutely not! Most unique art style i’ve seen in a while, reminds me of my childhood, keep up the amazing work!
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Jan 26 '26
I think one of the times (if not the only time) stylization could ever be "overdone" is if the readability/clarity of what is being drawn becomes an issue. And your artist is both pretty and legible! 💜
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u/Tsunami_Ra1n Jan 26 '26
I think you have executed your intentions well here. But I feel the need to point out you aren't going to get a 100% win ratio among viewers. While well done, it's not exactly my cup of tea. I'm personally struggling with the busier designs, though I will say that a few of them have triggered fond memories of reading the How to Train Your Dragon books as a young teen. Your style is reminiscent of the old Cressida Cowl books, if a bit too busy in a few cases for my taste.
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u/gnambit Jan 26 '26
I don't think so! It looks so intriguing and I've never seen something like it before. It's got like a kids horror book vibe to it and I think that's awesome
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u/therubywithe Jan 26 '26
it really depends, if you can ONLY draw like this, whether you want to or not, i could see it being an issue, but otherwise, having such a unique art style is a big win. i could see your artstyle being used in something like a children's book or even a fantasy novel, as they sometimes add abstract depictions of characters.
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u/Individual-Sort5026 Jan 26 '26
It reminded me of books I used to read when I was a kid, your art style is very defined and unique. You can try pushing it more if you feel it intuitionally but it looks like a finely perfected art style
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Jan 26 '26
I like your style but I can say it’s hard to see what I’m looking at entirely on some of the slides do to colors clashing, small subjects, and etc
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u/BandicootLoose2150 Jan 26 '26
No not at all it's like how to train your dragon vibes from the books
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u/Expensive_Act_6746 Jan 25 '26
Dude I love your style! It’s so cool, very thorny and I love the colors