I've written extensively about this subject through several different posts, from anatomy to expression, yet I could not share a single post that condenses all the key ideas behind creating faces, so in today's post I'll be sharing them from the beginning of my Patreon up to today, along with linking the original post in which I developed each i...
2025-10-06 16:05:26 +0000 UTC View Post
Here are some insights on my latest practices, along with practical art suggestions, my process video, files, and brushes! Subscribe and let's dive in:
Flirting with Death - Focal points in a reference
It's been a while since I've painted bones, and I quite like the romantic feeling in this reference. I've always bet...
2025-10-03 16:06:56 +0000 UTC View Post
When a completed artwork feels "off," identifying the issue can be challenging. Here are three practical tips to address this problem. Subscribe to unlock this content if you haven't already:
1. Check Composition and Balance
Check the visual flow. Is the focal point clear, or are elements competing for attention? Use...
2025-09-29 15:58:18 +0000 UTC View Post
Hi there! Here are some insights on my latest practices, along with practical art suggestions, my process video, files, and brushes! Let's dive in:
A Sad Look Lines Can Catch
The statue's gesture did not really feel that sad, I assume because of the lighting. Still, I wanted to capture that expression throughout the ...
2025-09-26 16:55:15 +0000 UTC View Post
As a follow-up to my previous guide, this article expands into structured progression ladders for each category and technical level. Based on your feedback, it provides clear levels (Lvl 1-3) with task lists to avoid overwhelm, build consistency, and address motivation dips like fear of big goals. Focus on tiny, achievable steps to sustain pract...
2025-09-22 16:34:16 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello everyone, today I wrote some insights on my latest practices, along with practical art suggestions. Let's dive in:
Out of Earth - Unconventional References
I believe one of the reasons that keeps me motivated to paint is trying different themes. I chose this NASA picture because I've never done it before. I thoug...
Struggling to start your art practice? As a Patreon creator, I've seen many artists join without a clear routine. This step-by-step guide answers key questions to get you on track efficiently.
Define one subject you would like to become a pro. I like to split subjects into these categories:
Hey everyone, here are some thoughts and practical advice behind my latest practices. Let's dive in:
Shocking eyes - Simple tip on sharp looking
In principle I chose a reference with the same model, beautiful eyes and no expressions, just because I liked the shape of the eyes, but then I felt like I was not pushing mys...
Begin with the basics
I always start with a desaturated bright version of the skin, regardless of whether the skin tone is white or black. Then I use the same tone in a layer on top in multiply blending mode for the shadow. Depending on where the light source is, I define the position of the shadow. This is the strai...
Hey everyone,
Here are some useful things I took from these practices that you can test today!
Miyazaki's Fan Art - Likeness and Proportions
"It's difficult," the caption says in this screenshot of Miyazaki's. I assumed it captured the moment of struggle while trying to create something. I felt very related, so I...
Hey everyone,
Mastering technical skills in art requires a strategic approach to practice, balancing efficiency with depth. Here are five practical steps to improve your technical learning without falling into common issues.
1. Meaningful Practice
Artists often prioritize quantity, creating numerous sketches that ...
Some practical ideas behind these studies.
Colorful Shore
While I slowly seem to turn to simpler shapes, I balance by choosing colorfully interesting compositions. This reference is very bright. At first sight, you notice blue and brown, but closer inspection reveals subtle tones within the cold range, like purple in t...
Today's topic is about how you can create some effects I use in the final steps of my process. The good news is it does not require you to know how to paint or draw; anyone can try! You only need a program like Photoshop. If you don't have Photoshop, don't worry; most of these filters and effects can be found by simply knowing the name of the ef...
2025-08-25 16:06:29 +0000 UTC View Post
Hi everyone, thoughts about my last practices
Lettuce
There's something peculiar about this practice, I had two versions, the first one was complex with many values and details, but once I finished I felt I lost some of the execution I've been doing lately, which is focused on simplification, so I took a step back and l...
Hi there! it's been a while since I write about one of the most distinctive and attractive themes from my artwork, face expression, today I wanted to briefly share the best of what I've wrote so far as consice and straightforward as possible, for you to apply to your art today! let's dive in:
Tip 1: Observe and break down expressions into ...
2025-08-18 15:50:19 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey everybody, some straightforward thoughts about my latest processes.
Eggplant
Just a casual fun warm-up where I struggle a bit with light reflection on the eggplant's smooth surface. I chose main light top-left, reflected light almost same tone. Struggle: deciding light position and hard light/shadow edges on natural...
As an artist constantly exploring new references and techniques, I've been reflecting on the lessons from my latest painting sessions. These practices, spanning shiny armors, desserts, dynamic portraits, and everyday objects, have taught me valuable ways to streamline my process while pushing creative boundaries. Here are four practical tips out...
2025-08-11 15:54:48 +0000 UTC View Post
Hi there, quick update on my Pinterest boards. It’s been a week since I started contacting Pinterest daily, but I haven’t received any response or solution to my board issue. For those unaware, my boards are temporarily hidden by Pinterest. If you can’t see the pins, it’s not your account, Pinterest has flagged these boards as "potential...
2025-08-08 15:13:34 +0000 UTC View Post
Hi everyone, here’s a brief explanation of how I use each brush in my set.
Pencil Oh - Line Art
This is the brush with which I often start sketching. I really love its main curved shape and the traditional texture pencils have. It helps me create loose curved lines that I later refine, whether using th...
Hey, quick news, my boards are temporarily hidden by Pinterest. If you can't see the pins, it's not your account. Pinterest flagged these boards as "potentially unwelcome" and hid all content. I'm working on fixing it. Thanks for your patience, I’ll update soon.
Now here are some thoughts about my last practices!
Climbing 2025-08-01 14:00:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Artists eventually face this scenario: someone wants to hire you. It feels exciting, but also confusing if you’ve never worked professionally.
Here are some simple principles I recommend to keep things smooth:
Define everything clearly. Even if you’re friends, clarity protects the relationship. Don’t re...
2025-07-28 15:02:38 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello everyone, here are some quick, practical notes on each practice I did over the past few weeks.
1. Chocolate: What I liked about this reference was the values in the paper, similar to aluminum, and the slight blue light right below the hazelnut. This “blue” colour is a reflection of white light, I think, also proj...
2025-07-25 16:16:50 +0000 UTC View Post
Style is often influenced by other artworks. Ask yourself what aspects of your work reference other trends or styles: the line, shape design, colour palette, or the tone created by the values. It's very difficult to detach these influences from our creative process, but by asking these questions you ...
2025-07-21 15:03:09 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey everyone, here are some quick, practical notes on each practice I did over the past few weeks.
1. Cheesecake
I believe the value in this practice is how, in one single layer with multiply blending mode, you can define the overall shadow silhouette with a single tone, and then use that silhouette later in a new layer...
Hi everyone,
I’ve received a great question about using the “egg and box” approach to build the torso. This method is very popular because it helps you quickly define the ribcage and pelvis in 3D, improving proportions and volume.
Bu...
2025-07-14 16:37:19 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello there!, here are some thoughts about my latest practices
Jaguar
This practice reminds me of my old days when I used to draw characters while fighting. They had very aggressive facial expressions and dynamic gestures. Most of those sketches back then were created from imagination, so I was a bit surprised how this ...
Hey everyone!
If you’ve ever felt surrounded by half-finished sketches, abandoned illustrations, or a bunch project folders, you’re not alone. Every artist struggles with unfinished work. The reasons are personal, but some patterns show up over and over. The good news is, once you see them clearly, you can do something about it.
...
2025-07-07 16:34:22 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey everyone, here are some thoughts about my latest processes.
Frog
I really liked this reference, but once I painted it, I quite stopped liking it. I noticed I wasn’t able to capture the wide range of colors the frog had in an accurate way. Perhaps you might find the similarities, but I think I did a downgrade of th...
In 2020 I wrote a post about this in which I used the same reference first for a study and later for an illustration. More about that here. Back then I was taking my first steps out of painting using references and into illustration. Today I want to s...
2025-06-30 16:10:10 +0000 UTC View Post
Some thoughts about my latest practices
Armor
I wanted to mix costume with a reflective material for rendering purposes, and I found this female armor costume perfect for the job. I drew a great number of curved lines, not only because of female anatomy but because the armor itself had plenty. I didn’...