@Chris Legaspi wow he really laid it on thick here! Such a beautiful result though

@Chris Legaspi I think the dappled light effect is very successful.

I have no photoshop experience so im no expert but I think Krita has many similar capabilities and, from what I understand should be very intuitive if you have lots of photoshop experience with many similar icons and functions. Its Fee (last time I checked) and I think it can handle anything you throw at it from the thumbnails to full refined finishes. Not that you'd be interested but it also has animation capabilities wich is kinda fun to play with.

Is it just me or does that first head look like he cant believe what just happened? Really solid study though. Those little values under the nose and around the lips really pull it together

Ah man I am so sorry it had to come to this and it never payed the dividends you were hoping it would after all the effort. For me, it was truly an unforgettable, albeit brief moment in the scope of my art education and mindset. I wish you the best of luck in these future endeavors and hope in all sincerity that we hook up in person somewhere down the line. For now, we'll keep tabs via the site and the articles and other social platforms. Thanks for everything and doing more than anyone ive ever seen to "put more beauty into the world" simply for the joy and passion of watching others embark on their own journey. I know it doesnt pay the bills but we are all so fortunate you gave it a go anyways.

Fantastic question! Something I struggle with basically every day.... I dont think its quite as formulaic as 50/50 80/20 etc and as someone who has been on the training side heavily for about 3 years I dont have a definitive answer for the first part. I will say however, regarding the later inquiry, I don't think there is a point where we deem ourselves "good enough" as we level up, I think the bar we set for our craft is always raising with us. I bet the day dreaming high school you would be impressed with your present level and wonder why you're not developing your own ideas already. I think it ultimately depends on what your artistic goals are and your "post training" intentions.... A real class "A" type atelier program is basically a four year degree of hard training. Serious training. Progression ONLY happens at the discretion of the instructor. Bargue plates (with nearly 200 total they drill you with this) cast drawing from life, students can spend up to two full years JUST doing black and white cast drawings over and over before moving to live model drawing and then working with paint in B&W and then FINALLY working with color. I dont think there is any "developing your own ideas" in this time. You might get creative with your still life objects but beyond that I dont think that comes into play. I think this is too intensive for most people as most arent really looking to GENUINLEY reach that Bougerou level of craft. They say dont compare yourself to others but if your objective is some kind of career, I think its very necessary to be honest with yourself and say, these are the top guys in my area of interest, comics, movie poster illustration whatever. Are you at their level? If its not career oriented, then just dive in! Experiment and have fun Id say. Steve Huston says to just set SOME kind of goal to create some focus and then allow yourself to be open to changing the goal along the way.