Hey friends! So recently I posted a painting on my feed, and someone DMed me:

"Are you more academy-style or avant-garde?"

That really got me thinking… because honestly, I've been pulled between both worlds for years.

Whether you're an art student, a creative soul, or just someone who loves to scroll through beautiful visuals, I bet you've felt this too — that invisible tug-of-war between doing what's been proven and respected, versus doing something bold and new.

Let's break it down.

What's "Academy-style" anyway?

Think: clean lines, proper anatomy, realistic shading — basically the kind of stuff they teach you in traditional art schools. I spent years learning this style. It's technical, it's refined, and honestly, it taught me discipline.

When you see those hyper-real portraits or detailed landscapes that almost look like a photo? That's academy-style magic.

I used to spend hours trying to get the lighting just right on a figure sketch, erasing and redrawing until my hands hurt. Was it tough? Yes. But it gave me structure.

It's like learning grammar before writing poetry. Once you know the rules — you can break them beautifully.

Then came the wild side: Avant-garde 🧠✨

Now this is the fun, rebellious cousin in the art family. Abstract forms, strange color combos, mixed media — anything goes.

When I started experimenting with this, it felt like a breath of fresh air. Suddenly, I wasn't obsessed with "perfect" anymore. I was creating from my gut — messy, emotional, raw.

I posted my first avant-garde piece last year. It got fewer likes than my realistic work, but the comments? They were so deep. People felt something. That's when I realized: connection matters more than perfection.

So… who wins? 🤔

Honestly? Neither. Or maybe both.

We don't have to choose one side forever. Some days I want clean lines and control. Other days I want to splash paint around like a storm. And that's okay.

Style isn't a box — it's a language. And we can speak both fluently.

Here's what I learned ❤️

👉 The "academy" taught me patience.

👉 The "avant-garde" taught me courage.

👉 Mixing both? That's where the magic is.

Now, my favorite works combine technique and emotion. A little polish, a little chaos. Like life, right?

Let's chat! 🫶

So tell me — are you more of a rule-follower or a rebel when it comes to creativity? Drop a 🎨 or 🧨 below and let's talk in the comments! I'd love to hear what inspires you most.

And if you're just starting your art journey, here's my advice: Learn the rules. Break them later. But always, always create from the heart.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts 💬💛