creative challenge

My blog is really about being CREATIVE. I myself an an illustrator and designer. I work for a company that is considered a creative think tank. The majority of our work is entertainment related and kid oriented but you never know what kind of assignment will come in. In this blog I intend to put down some tricks and insight into working in the creative fields.
As an illustrator in school I remember being told to pick a style and develop a portfolio. Pick a look! The reasoning was that when you went to an agency they could look at your book and know what type of thing you would bring in. But when I went into the world and when I review a portfolio I'm looking for a range. I want to see not a book of the same thing. I'm looking to see if they think and can do more than one thing. Todays world moves to fast and clients come in with all kinds of odd projects. A one trick pony gets real old.
I have a friend who works and teaches how to draw comics. He has a beautiful style. But just the one look. He is having a hard time because his look is somewhat dated now. Styles change. Talent will allow a person to adapt. You must never stop learning and trying new things.
To that end here's a challenge, pick up the latest Workbook or Directory of Illustration. Open the book randomly to any page. Now sit down and try to copy that style. Don't copy the work, copy the style. Try to match what ever page you hit on and make something that looks like the same family.
Remember that what your copying is someone's work and heart. ALWAYS respect others copyrights but try to learn from them. Don't just copy it but try to figure out what makes it special. Is it the color or the way they shade or the flow of the line. Try to learn and expand your own style.