His signature, ό Λυδός, ho Lydos ("the Lydian"), inscribed on two vases, is informative regarding the cultural background of the artist.

It is difficult to definitely recognise his work, since he was the centre and main artist of a highly productive Attic pottery workshop.

The style of Lydos strongly resembles that of older artists, such as the painters of Siana cups, of which he himself painted many.

He was the last Attic painter to decorate large vases entirely with polychrome animal friezes in the Corinthian style.

Similarly, at an early stage he paid much attention to certain details, such as the hairy backs of cat-like animals, whereas later he concentrated more on gesture.

[3] Lydos painted vases by a variety of potters, including Nikosthenes, Kolchos, Epitimos and Amasis.

He often painted so-called "penguin women", wearing a cloak held together by the chest, probably by a kind of sash, and terminating in a tail-like feature at the back.

[3] Athena (supporting Heracles, who is fighting Kyknos) is rendered as a silhouette figure in the style of the Amasis Painter, while the figures of Ares and Zeus (who joins the fighting) represent an attempt to utilise the new three-dimensional drawing style, developed around 540 BC.

Works ascribed to Lydos can be found on all types of vase shape then produced in the Athenian potters' quarter, including a series of grave pinakes.