Well, I certainly fell short of my lofty goal, think I could squeeze in one more by the time Halloween rolls around. Its been fun doing the sharp contrast and dramatic lighting of the old black and white horror flicks. Despite falling short of my intentions, just having the goal in mind has been motivating to keep going despite knowing that I wont make it. This guy is from the 1935 film "Mad Love" check it out sometime!

Had an enjoyable time following Chris's demo. It was my first drawing completed using a mechanical pencil. Chris, thank you so much for the demo!

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

This Friday, I had the chance to visit The Met in NYC with @Tim Dosé , and we spent time exploring the breathtaking John Singer Sargent exhibition. While Sargent’s finished paintings are always a showstopper, what truly moved me this time were his sketches — the raw, intimate studies done in pencil and charcoal that rarely get the spotlight. Some of these sketches struck me immediately — especially those that echoed the figure of Madame X. Though the exhibition doesn’t explicitly connect each one to the final painting, I noticed what seemed to be recurring studies of her across different works. It’s a reminder of how much groundwork Sargent put in before arriving at his iconic compositions. He didn’t just dive into the masterpiece — he explored, iterated, and refined through thumbnail after thumbnail. But here’s the other thing that really inspired me: not all of the sketches were tied to a final painting. Some were simply exercises. Practice figures. Random musings in line and form. And honestly? They were just as powerful. They showed a master staying loose, curious, and committed to the process — even when the goal wasn’t a gallery wall. @Chris Legaspi has always emphasized this: thumbnail, explore, stay connected to the work. Whether you're planning a masterpiece or simply studying for the sake of growth, those reps matter. So I’m sharing some of the sketches I found — both the deliberate studies and the spontaneous ones — because they remind me (and hopefully you too) that every drawing counts. Whether it’s a warm-up, a throwaway, or a deep dive into a final piece — it all builds your eye, your hand, your connection to the work. Let me know what you see in these. What do they make you feel about your own process? Let’s keep drawing. Let’s keep learning. Let’s keep growing.

Hi everyone, our second SOFA community art project is: The Body is Beautiful. The goals of this group project are: - To celebrate the beauty of the human body and form - To expand our knowledge and skill in human anatomy and crafting figurative artwork - To provide inspiration and accountability, and strengthen community bonds At the end of September, 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. 👇 🔹 What is the Project? The Body is Beautiful – A community-wide art project 👉Subjects: 1. Figurative and portrait art 2. Anatomical studies, essays and articles 3. Drapery and fabric 4. Figure focused master copies 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 👉If you are shy, intimidated to share your work, or don't consider yourself an artist (art lover or collector) you are welcome and encouraged to share your unique experience and knowledge with a value post. 👉Please note: A post MUST be relevant and in this format. This project and thread will be strictly moderated and enforced.