Creating Impact: How Different Artists Amplify Their Style

Check out my Free Illustration Mini Workshop where I share my journey from Amateur to Pro: https://www.thedrawingcodex.com/illustrationworkshop You will get some simple advice on how to get more detail and polish in your work. How to think about composition. And my thoughts on how to prepare for professional work. Let's talk about finding impact with your art - understanding the many ways to make your work stand out without sacrificing your unique voice. Below is an Automagically generated summary to help understand the video and aid search optimisation: ---- In this study session, I explore how artists can create impact with their work while staying true to themselves. I examine various art books to understand how different artists and styles achieve visual power through both subtle and bold approaches. I frame this exploration using my signal-volume-presence framework. Your "signal" is your unique artistic voice, "volume" determines how loudly that signal reaches your audience, and "presence" is about maintaining consistency over time so people recognize your work. Looking at children's book illustrators like Beatrix Potter and Beek, I show how even subtle, non-violent imagery can command attention through simple but powerful illustration principles: repetition of shapes, primary colors, overlapping forms, and creating a sense of depth. These examples prove you don't need "sex, violence, and rock and roll" to create memorable art - sometimes harmony, rhythm, and beautiful color relationships can be just as powerful. I contrast this with the work of Frank Frazetta and Simon Beasley, who turned up the volume through provocative, dynamic imagery. While their approach uses biological triggers to grab attention, their success came from combining these elements with strong composition and craft. I also examine Studio Ghibli films - comparing Nausicaä, Arrietty, and Ponyo - to show how the same artistic "signal" can be adjusted for different projects while maintaining a recognizable style. Ponyo uses flat, vibrant colors with simple shapes, while Arrietty employs depth of field and dramatic lighting, yet both remain unmistakably Ghibli. The key takeaway is that illustration theory - understanding composition, color relationships, shape repetition, and visual flow - provides a foundation to amplify your unique artistic voice. Whether you're creating gentle children's illustrations or dynamic fantasy scenes, these principles help you communicate your vision effectively. Rather than chasing trends or copying what works for others, focus on finding techniques that amplify your natural inclinations. Understand what makes your favorite artists' work impactful, and then apply those principles to your own unique signal. Great art doesn't always need to scream to be heard - sometimes a clear, thoughtful whisper can be just as powerful. ---- 00:00 Intro 01:50 Welcome 02:33 Introduction And Recap Of Volume Framework 08:53 Books And Artists We Are Talking About Today 12:14 Children's Books From Yesteryear (Harmsen van der Beek & Beatrix Potter) 14:56 What Is Illustration Theory? 21:00 Beatrix Potter 27:53 Frazetta 37:47 Studio Ghibli Style Signal And Variety 48:49 Check This Out! Artist's mentioned in the Video: Beatrix Potter - Creator of Peter Rabbit children's books Harmsen van der Beek ("Beek")- Illustrator who worked on Enid Blyton's "Noddy" books Andrew Loomis - Influential illustrator and author of "Creative Illustration" Frank Frazetta - Fantasy artist known for Conan the Barbarian covers and dynamic imagery Simon Beasley - Artist adjacent to Frazetta's style, with more extreme/provocative imagery J. Allen St. John - Illustrator who influenced Frazetta, created Tarzan and John Carter art Alex Raymond - Creator of Flash Gordon comics Hayao Miyazaki - Studio Ghibli co-founder and director (Nausicaä, Ponyo) Hiromasa Yonebayashi - Studio Ghibli director (Arrietty) Craig Mullins - Artist briefly mentioned for his advice about good images working upside down Piet Mondrian - Abstract artist mentioned as example of abstract composition principles Jackson Pollock - Abstract artist mentioned alongside Mondrian Pablo Picasso - Mentioned as example of artwork with inherent abstract appeal Happy Drawing! Tim Mcburnie Learn Drawing and Illustration from me: www.thedrawingcodex.com Portfolio: www.timmcburnie.com www.artstation.com/tim-mcburnie www.instagram.com/timmcburnie twitter.com/timmcburnie