Testing Styles | Posted: Nov. 10, 2016, 5:48 p.m.

Media: Mechanical pencil on sketchbook paper

Time: ~2.5 hours

I frequently draw from references, so sometimes I feel as though I don't have my own "style." Every time I draw from a reference, I feel as though I am "objectively" capturing the piece. There is no opinion, no personal touch in the piece. Of course, this is not literally true -- it is just how I see the situation.

I believe an artist's true "style" presents itself when the artist mostly draws from imagination and memory. Yes, the artist can use references for small details like clothes, jewelry, etc., but most of the piece should be original.

This piece (created in June 2015) is a quick sketch (using no references) to see how my style has transformed over the years. I have a tendency to prettify every thing I draw, especially people -- I draw large eyes with long lashes, small noses, soft lips, angular jawlines, long necks, and lots of styled hair.