A little bit about making oil studies. Why I use them and what they’re good for:
They’re small, usually quick to make, not intimidating in scale.
Exploratory and curious, because they don’t take long, the handling is more free and arbitrary, which often leads to surprising discoveries.
Useful digitally, I often import studies into Procreate or Photoshop to use as a backdrop for references or compositional play.
Collectible - their small size, painterly nature, and affordability make them appealing and easy to sell.
Contextual in exhibitions - when shown alongside larger finished works, they act as charming embellishments that reveal process and development.
colleen barry
2025-09-24 10:29:52 +0000 UTCYap
2025-09-23 17:48:59 +0000 UTC