In the late 1950s, the Dutch painter Arie Smit, who has since become an Indonesian subject, arrived and lived in Campuan Ubud. During this time, there was a shortage of jobs, and all children of the agricultural population in this society had their duties: young boys watched ducks and cows, chopped wood, and worked as assistants in the rice fields. A group of young boys gathered at Arie Smit's house and borrowed painting tools from him. Later, the duck herders became painters and began supporting their families by earning money from their paintings. This background laid the foundation for the group of painters who became known as the "Young Artists," a name that also became a style of painting.

The present generation of artists imitating the "Young Artist Style" as from 60s (mostly their fathers & grandparents teachings). The artists work with the canvases on the floor of their homes or art gallery, starting with a penciled outline, composing with great freedom: they then fill in the colours very much like in a colouring book. The final touch is the delineation of the rich detailing, completing their work. According to the painters, they may take between a week to several months to finish a large work.