What distinguishes the Great from the very technically accomplished?

[Richard Monro]

What distinguishes the great artists from the many very technically accomplished artists? That question has been buzzing in my head for a long time now. Here is my take on the question.

All the great artists have been very technically accomplished in their craft, but they brought something else very special to the art world...a unique identifiable style. You can walk into any gallery or museum in the world and instantly pick out the Reubens, Bouguereau, Van Gogh, Caravaggio, El Greco, Picasso, Monet, Turner and any number of other greats.Their style identifies them and their work.

On this forum there are many brilliantly accomplished artists. Some standout because they have created a unique, distinguishing style that we could identify in any gallery that has their work hanging on the wall. Here are just a few that come to mind....Linda Nelson, Kimberly Dow, Tony Pro. There are others that I am sure come instantly to mind.

Now here is the crux of the matter. What constitutes a unique identifiable style?