I have a virtual student at Elite Animation Academy preparing a portfolio with specific requirements. One requirement is a still life. I asked my student to arrange a few objects, some large some small to paint. The beluga whale plush, acquired at a recent trip to an aquarium, became the subject along with several wooden tree sculptures.
I painted along with the student. I was attracted to the way the light illuminated the wall. My student an I both used lots of line work to construct the whale basic shape. However after several hours my student got frustrated, not knowing how to progress. The line work seemed to hinder progress as if painting the piece into a corner.
I stopped work on this to offer advice on how to loosen up the process. My student needed to transition for stiff to spontaneous. I suggested forgetting about the outside lines and just start playing with the digital brushes. That opened up the process making it play rather than a serious high stakes struggle.
Relaxing and having fun are the ultimate end goal. We started town that new track.