Trying On New Styles: One Landmark, Six Ways
Every once in a while, I get the itch to shake things up — to take a familiar subject and run it through a handful of completely different illustration styles just to see what happens. Consider this my version of a creative costume change. This single landmark became the perfect test subject. Same building, same angle, same general composition… but six entirely different moods, techniques, and storytelling personalities.
1. Sketchy Ink & Gestural Watercolor Wash
Quick linework paired with soft washes that give everything that breezy, travel-sketchbook feel.
2. Wes Anderson (because… obviously)
Symmetry, pastel micro-dramas, and the kind of tidy color palette that makes you want to arrange your socks by hue.
3. Gestural Calligraphic Brush
Bold, spontaneous strokes that feel like the building was drawn in one confident brush. Imperfect on purpose — energetic, expressive, and fun to make.
4. Minimalist Mid-Century Toile
Clean lines, soft shapes, and a touch of nostalgia. Think: vintage storybook meets subtle textile print. A style that whispers instead of shouts.
5. Loose Monochromatic Watercolor
Moody, calm, and beautifully simple. Letting tone do the heavy lifting while the paper texture adds its own attitude.
6. Etching / Engraving-Inspired
More detailed, more textural, more “I inherited this from a very distinguished great-great-uncle.”
Why Do This?
Because illustration style is storytelling. And sometimes the best way to refine your voice is to try on a few different ones. This little experiment reminded me how many directions a single subject can go — and how style can shift the emotional tone of a place without changing the place itself.
What’s Next?
More style tests, more experiments, and possibly a whole series of landmarks getting a multi-style makeover. It’s a fun way to stretch creatively, and an even better way to help clients imagine their projects in different visual directions.