To my knowledge and experience it's more of a self found evolution.

For example I drew the following:





I tend to doodle and draw naturally like the second drawing, but I make myself draw like the first one. Like said before doodling is pretty good way of finding out what comes naturally to you. :)

Side notes: If you're going to follow my blog/deviantart link on that first image, be warned there is some artistic nudity. Also, be careful with only drawing animals, I drew 99% horses for 8+ years and now I have serious horse skills and I really struggle with people. :I

edit: here's my human art, same as before first image is how I WANT to draw but second is how my drawings actually flow ;-;

Ah..personally, I don't think that it's a fantastic idea to base your style off someone else's. However, using it as a starting point is okay. For example, I really liked this one way to draw eyes, so I copied it (or try to). However, I worked so hard on it, drawing and redrawing, that it developed into something that's not even remotely similar to what I had originally started. You just gotta draw. And draw. And your art style will change SO MUCH. But one day, you'll see something you've drawn and be like "yep. This is it. My style."

So basically, the point is: just draw so much. Draw until you're sick of drawing. Take a break, draw some more. You're gonna have to be patient. It's gonna take a while. But you'll get there.

How to learn to draw better/find your style: Sheepy style

Step 1.
Decide on what you primarily want to draw. Humans? Furries? Anthro? Gijinka? Animals? Cartoon-ish? Chibi? Anything really.

Step 2. Once you have decided on what you want to draw, I suggest studying two things: the general anatomy of what you want to draw and how other people draw it. For example, I'm currently working on drawing dragon gijinkas for Flight Rising and literally every day I watch speedpaints while I doodle, and I also look up "gijinka" in Google. I also browse art forums to see different styles.

Step 3.
Draw. Doodle. Sketch. Just draw, really. Practice makes perfect! (lol the other day my hand started cramping because I drew so much, don't draw too much)

Step 4.
After you have drawn, maybe continue like that for a week, and then look at your old art. In what ways can you improve it? What would make it look nicer or more anatomically correct?

And that's basically it uwu

Thanks! I shall try that.

Honestly, the honest truth is 'just draw'. It sounds really vague and unhelpful, but let me elaborate--the more you draw, the more you'll start naturally developing a style. You'll be drawing certain things with the same approach(not like, same-face syndrome, more like your own way of doing something). You always see things differently than how others do, so that alone will give you a unique style, in addition to your hand creating something no one else can mimic on their own. What you tend to draw most becomes a part of your style. Since you want to draw a lot of animals, that'll be your art style.

Learning the basics like anatomy, shapes, and color theory can help you flesh out a style, too; anatomy can be warped into a caricature, but if you don't know the basics you have nothing to warp! A lot of artists often have a certain type of color choice theme, too. Ever notice how some artists tend to choose a lot of super vivid colors, while others choose a duller array of shades?

Sometimes people like to look at other artists, for inspiration. Directly copying styles is usually a no-no, since a lot of artists online earn money by having a specific style and someone mimicking them can take away from their income(there's exceptions, like adapting a certain mainstream comic or cartoon style in). But artists with a distinct style can prove to be huge inspiration; take Alphonse Mucha's art, a LOT of people use the lineart and coloring style Mucha used, but they merge it with their own style to make it their own. Google Mucha's work, i'm sure you'll see similarities in other art you've come across. Of course, not all artists can be so closely imitated, but you get the gist.

Personally, i draw like, 98% humans and humanoids, with not a lot of variety(average sized females...sigh) because i've gotten lazy OTL
Actually i haven't finished any piece for a month, everything's scribbles and half finished/tossed stuff. Don't get lazy, man. Don't get lazy.

Sorry to barge in..

I do a bit of drawing though I should do more but here is the thing..for me at least. While I have a few books at home on how to draw manga for example (actually the only books I have on drawing) I use it is a guide to help me with how to attain certain styles and all but like the others said, trying to copy a style without integrating your own style can get tedious and after a while it will become frustrating.

For example, I like the FullMetal Alchemist series and I have a few videos and in them are inserts of characters....I use the images as guides and yes, I do try to copy the features only so I can get an idea of how I might do things but inevitably my own slant gets applied and that is really how it should be.

Even though someone already created the character, when you apply your own styles and slants, you end up giving it a "life" of its own (in your mind, of course)

Once you become somewhat comfortable with what you are after then you can start creating your own characters....since I am a fan of the "Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter" game, I study the characters in the game so I have an idea of just what features of the new characters I have in my head should have that would fit..but then again my own internal storyline takes off on its own which is good then it gives my characters more flexibility...

Anyways..experiment and don't get stuck on trying to copy something 'cause that is all you'd be doing is copying and not developing.

Ok...end of my pointless blathering (coffee fuel ran out..) Back to your regularly scheduled program..now with coffee!

By the way DeathDust..I like your sketches...they're coming along. It all takes time...

ALSO..Uranium..I liked that one image you made of the dragon coming out of the lamp. That was really neat!