Today was very slow, and I didn't really do much at all. I'm kinda considering this study as a work in progress and I'm hoping to render it out to quite a high standard over a few days. That being said the next few days involve a few parties.... SOCIALISING IS EXHAUSTING. So we'll just have to see how it goes!

Today I've been pretty busy with non-art things so I've only done something quick. I'll also be attending my first game jam over the next couple of days so I have no idea how much I'll be able to produce that isn't game jam stuff. I'll have to see!

So I'm on a bit of an inspiration dip since yesterday.. I couldn't decide what to study (AGAIN- I really need to plan this) and I didn't know what else I wanted to paint today. Not a good combination.

Saying that, right after I finish this blog post I'm going to make a list of studies I need to do!

So I did the one above trying to focus on composition and also dynamic poses. I figured if I do the linework now I can always come back to it and use it again for a colour study or something.


I also did this study which I definitely didn't need to do but couldn't think of anything else to do...

Although I ended up sticking with something pretty similar to the first idea I still found it valuable to look at different options.

Okay so it isn't technically day 6.. I went home for a few days for my dad's birthday so had to leave my computer behind. Technically yes I coulda done some stuff in my sketchbook but I'm lazy so I didn't!

Naturally it shows and I definitely felt it when I started painting this Bouguereau piece. This is a very small crop of the whole painting I originally set out to pain


I'm thinking about starting to focus my studies onto paintings that feature people or a figure in particular rather than mostly landscape; I really feel like my strengths are there and at the moment I really want to make a portfolio that reflects my strengths rather than my attempts at learning environments etc.

I fully intend to work on my landscapes in the meantime but the focus needs to be on what I'm good at (in my opinion, feel free to let me know what you think!)


I was a bit all over the place today in terms of what I wanted to paint. I haven't got any solid ideas down for any illustrations so I need to work some out and line them up! I took advantage of this though and decided to paint a Lana Del Rey portrait.

Its interesting as I was painting it I realised how completely in my comfort zone I am when painting portraits (particularly straight up photo copies) If anything it reminds me what I can do if I really work at something.

Okay so day 4 wasn't 100% true to the challenge.. I did a couple of sketches of master paintings and then called it a day on that front; I was lacking focus and didn't really know what I needed to focus on next.

I did finish my Dinosaur painting though! I'm kinda pleased with it although obviously I can see things wrong with it after I finished it. I feel like I keep sacrificing paintings in order to learn; I need to produce something not very good in order to improve. Improvement is good but mediocre paintings ain't no fun.

2013 (left) and 2015 comparisons

 Although the best thing about re-doing old paintings is that even if you think you could have done better on the most recent at least you know you've still done better than the other one. Mini ego boost!

In terms of 'studying' today I've looked at experimenting with my style.


I keep flitting between wanting to be super realistic and wanting to have a prominent style. It's just one of those things that I'm only gonna find if I keep experimenting and painting!

Day 3! I decided to do a style study of the late Frank Frazetta. Not quite a master study perhaps? But regardless I thoroughly enjoyed doing it and actually picked up a lot of his techniques.


I love the bold and chunky shapes in this piece in particular. So much fun to study!


I've also been putting a lot of preperation into my latest illustration and taking the time to check my anatomy and sketch things out before diving straight into the painting. Here's a sneaky peak... DINOSAURS! :D

Today marked day 1 of my 21 days! I decided to look at this painting and focus on the composition and understanding what makes the composition good. It didn't necessarily require me to reproduce it but I figured I'd sketch it and stick some colour over it but I wasn't gonna let myself spend all day copying it... (but oh how I wanted to :'( ).


I think the composition in this piece is relatively straightforwards; the focus is on the woman and nearly all the lines lead to her. The strategic placing of the men and the nets all lead your eye to her while still looking convincing. She is also illuminated against the dark sea and nets again drawing the eye. I love the flow of this painting as well- it adds drama and while looking very romanticised (obviously) still looks convincing.

Moving on! I had kinda tried to stop myself from doing flat out copies of photos and master paintings since I'd got into the habit of mindlessly copying them and wasn't learning anything at all. Taking some time away from doing that and reflecting on that helped me to realise what I needed to do when I studied.


In my day of moping and reading I re-read the whole of James Gurney's 'Imaginative Realism' and I'm so glad I did! I've read it before but it was a few years ago and I forget things; reading it again was a good refresher and I could also apply different parts to where I'm at now. Among other things I've taken away from the book, doing regular studies of things you see is a really important one.

I don't think I'll be able to go out all the time and do plein air studies like he does but I can definitely do it with some of the photos I find.

I can also do it with animals which (in terms of learning their anatomy) will be really beneficial.

I'm trying to keep them relevant and remember why I'm doing them so it's not mindless rubbish all over again but I think we may be onto something! I'm also working on re-launching (so to speak) an old idea of mine which I think could be really interesting as well as being a good focus for me so stay tuned!