“From the Sketchbook,” Mini Master Studies

When one thinks “Master Study,” they generally envision a scale replication of an old master’s piece, painstakingly reproduced in order to better understand their process (along the lines of this study after Bargue, by Watts Instructor Lucas Graciano).  While these types of studies are fantastic learning opportunities, the hard reality is that many students lead a busy life; Between day jobs, freelancing, personal work, classes, and life in general, students often feel they don’t have the time available to dedicate to such an ambitious project.

How then does the busy student find time for master studies?  By opening their sketchbook and doing “mini master studies.”

By identifying a specific aspect of a master’s work that you wish to study, one can break down the often daunting task of a full master study and conduct “mini master studies” in their sketchbook instead.  When Watts Atelier student Catherine Bobkoski wished to improve her compositional skills, she took out her gouache paints, opened her sketchbook, and looked to wildlife artist Bob Kuhn.  Focusing on replicating his compositions and color notes, Catherine produced pages’ worth of mini master studies.

Next time you’re looking at the works of your favorite artist, consider cracking open your sketchbook, grabbing a pen, pencil or your paints, and doing a few mini master studies of your own.  You’ll be surprised at just how much you can learn from a few simple, focused studies.