Developing style is a good point. Today style is confused with gimmick. If I paint all red painting...or if I throw some piant here and there...or if I get a naked girl to roll onto the canvas, collectors will recognize my style.
A painters style evolves. It's within them, but takes time, yards of canvas, exposure and willingness to involve oneself in the act of living that will develop your style.
Producing work for sale, inhibits your "style" development. One produces for money so one has to copy a proven style and get in on the rewards of the current style. One can steal from other current painters style or reach into the past and steal from the "masters".
Don't misunderstand me here. I'm not saying don't steal!
All artists steal. It's good and necessary. If we were to learn this process all by ourselves, we would just be breaking into the market at around the age of one hundred and six or there abouts.
So steeling, or I sould say borrowing someone else's sytle, for awhile, is okay. At least by me.
But there comes a time (with all good artists) when what is in you begins to emerge. When you begin to evolve and you start to drop the trappings of the "borrowed" style and begin to..as they say..come into your own.
But be careful that your style is not just a gimmick. Style and gimmick is a very gray area especially in todays climate. Does the word "Kinkaid" mean anything?
I believe if you are true to your art (whatever that means to you) you will develop a style all you own.
Worry about creating great work, style will follow.