Using another great ref from Bryce Liston. Still working on improving values and core shadow development and gradation. I keep putting hard edge where it should be nice soft edge transition. It’s tough on organic forms but I will keep practicing. Really love the ref. Reminds me of fantasyposes for Frazetta or more specifically for Patrick J Jones. Would love to try again and see if I can add some leopard spots and a tail. Love poses that tell a story or inspire/ ignite imagination.

Hi friends, this week I’ll be archiving The Society. I'm simplifying my life and fully focusing on my Coaching Program community. Right now they are thriving and deserve my full attention. My vision for this group was always bigger than image sharing. I wanted to build a collaborative community with me, other Pros, and members who wanted to break out of the social media paradigm of vanity, likes and follows. I wanted to create a community built on conversations and relationships, online and offline. To keep that vision alive would require many hours of teaching, support, and collaboration, and right now, I simply don’t have the time (or resources) to sustain it. I plan to have an oil painting focused community soon. That is the next stage in my evolution so I will dedicate my hours and labor to this new chapter in my life. If you are interested in that, please follow me on my new website (I will start writing beautiful articles there again) and join my free email list. That is where I will do my teaching and guiding for now. Thank you for being part of this. Skool is still in it's infancy, but I know it will become as mainstream as Facebook. As censorship of nude figurative art and beautiful realism as a whole continues to rise, the mass of artists like me will eventually migrate here. So thank you for being a pioneer with me. To those who resonate with me and align with my mission to build a sanctuary for beauty online I hope to meet you again. Much love and peace be with you until we meet again.❤️🤝

Beauty is at the core of all humanity. Beauty and truth is what realists strive for and is a part of our daily practice and lives. Beauty is under attack in our modern world. Join me in the fight against the intentional uglification of art & culture and bring back the standard of beauty in art and in our world. The goals of this group project are: - To beautify our communities with works of art - To elevate our minds and spirits with beautiful thoughts, actions and words - To shine a light on and counter all the ugliness in your world that brings down the human spirit At the end of this month, the best works will be selected for an online group exhibition and featured on my website and YouTube channel. 🖼️🎥 📌 All info, posts, comments, resources, and questions go in this thread. 👇 👉Subjects: 1. Beautiful, thoughtful and tasteful artwork of all subject matter 2. Thoughtful posts and articles on beauty, taste and aesthetics 3. Redesign something ugly, such as buildings in your town, movie posters, album covers Mediums: Drawing, painting, or sculpture 🔹 How to Join To participate, you must: 1. Make at least one post AND... 2. Leave at least one helpful comment 🔹 What to Post ✅ #1. Image Post = Your original artwork + a thoughtful comment Types of artwork that are welcome: - Sketchbook drawing or quick sketch - Finished, ambitious drawings or paintings - Color sketches or thumbnails - Master copies (sketch or finished) - WIPs (works in progress) - Composition studies Thoughtful comments that ask a question, share a learning, invite feedback or spark conversation are encouraged. ✅ #2. Value Post = Share something useful or insightful Examples: - Link to reference photos or books - Review or recommend photo books, collections, or art tools - Tips, tutorials, or process breakdowns - Share your personal breakthroughs, struggles, or lessons - Highlight a master artist or works in the lineage that inspire you - Share art supplies or studio hacks that help your process

I noticed something beautiful while reading introductions from members here; many of us started caring about art, or came back to it seriously, during the pandemic. That time, though full of fear and uncertainty, seems to have reminded so many people of what truly matters. Hardships can quietly turn our minds toward beauty and joy, almost like an inner call to create something healing when the world feels heavy. I’m one of those people too. During that period, I found myself drawing again, not for any goal, but simply to feel alive and connected. It’s amazing how art becomes both our shelter and our voice. Did anyone else have a similar experience? ✨ Since Halloween is near, I wanted to share a master study I did a few years ago, inspired by Arthur Rackham. This piece, The Story-Teller, was originally drawn for Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving (1819). I didn’t read the story, but I loved the composition and the inking style, so I gave it a try using a brush pen with a few digital enhancements.

I drew this from a photo reference of my baby. ☺️