How to Study Other Artists Styles

Hi, Friends, did you have a nice weekend?
I'll chat on "my" strategy, how to learn other artists' techniques. I use  "similarities and differences" to study others. Each artist's has different approaches to create work. Their techniques are, in my view, ultimately, theirs. Thus, it's essential to digest another technique and apply it to myself. Then, it's become mine.  
Below, my study of light, colour and wash, based on David Curtis's work, "An Orkney Dawn."

Regarding "similarities," it's easy to get into favorite watercolourists' work or someone similar to one's own style. Practical and very helpful, because it saves lots of time to learn it. Sometimes, unexpected techniques are found to make a same watercolour effect, which fascinates me so much.  

Learning "differences" is quite challenging and interesting! No idea how to do it until I see a demo. So, it's time consuming, sometimes stressful, even though quite adventurous. Making heeps of messes sometimes does not work well. The worst result, in my view, is that losing confidence or losing "who I am." In short, pros and cons in learning other techniques, all comes to an artist's "identity issue." Below, my FIRST experience, PASTEL work!! 
**A dear friend encouraged me to try a pastel workshop. 
(I know, my hair was too short just after hair cut!) 

 Oh, pastel is not easy. I need more time to conquer "Chalk"!

So, I bear in mind my mentor's advice. The mentor, a very experienced landscape watercolorist, said, "Keep your old style so that you can come back to it when you need. Then, keep challenging something new all the time." The wise mentor knew the importance of a healthy self-esteem for an artist. 
I have to confess, I happily went back to watercolour after the pastel class!

Friends, for me, to study other artists' styles is a part of establishing "who I am." Using similarities and differences is effective to learn other techniques. But of course, this is my strategy. Find your own way and work on your style, please!
In addition, we do not need to compare ourselves to others at all.  We're already unique and precious on the earth. I celebrate TONs of messes as "achievements" at the end of a day, because I did my best! This paradox is true. If we accept who we are fully, we begin to change in a better way, naturally. As long as we compel ourselves to change to be someone better, it will not occur. Why? It's an empty effort to be "someone else." When a person accepts herself fully, a person can love herself properly. So, with joy, she begins to change in a better and unique way!
Friends, Happy Painting!! 

How to Study Other Artists Styles