Why I do Master Studies
'Aren't you just copying other people's work?' I get asked this a lot, so I thought I'd spend a bit of time explaining why copying, or studying, master paintings can be a valuable exercise for all visual artists. Firstly, I'm assuming, in most cases, that the artist you'll be working from is one you admire. And there may be several, nuanced reasons for this. But whatever your taste is, it'll be your enthusiasm for the work that will fuel your exploration of it and it's relevance to your own work. Secondly, you'll likely gain a deeper understanding on how the work was made; the composition, materials and techniques involved. This can be invaluable and accelerate your abilities within your chosen craft or discipline. ...