💎 My whole art journey in 5 portraits
Gem #46: my portrait evolution
Bonjour my little demon,
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TODAY’S GEM
It’s the start of 2025, and I’m gearing up for a new art quest. But before diving in, let’s take a moment to look back. Looking back, I realize my portraits have evolved as much as I have. Each one holds a piece of my story—a struggle, a breakthrough, a lesson. And today, I want to share that journey with you.
Let’s start at the beginning!
This small graphite sketch was the first to hit a million views on Instagram—the one that sparked everything: my community, my career, my confidence as an artist. Funny enough, it started as a quick doodle with my little brother. The theme? Aliens.
Just a few minutes, a handful of jokes, and somehow, a life-changing moment. That day, I learned a truth that would only grow clearer with time: an artist’s most important works are often the ones most deeply tied to personal experience.
This portrait was a turning point—the moment I committed to graphite portraiture. It was the phase of my biggest technical leap as an artist. Between work, studies, and the chaos of Parisian life, I pushed myself to draw consistently, diving into portrait structure, stylization, and shading. Imperfect as it is, this piece is a testament to the grit and determination that shaped those years.
My first year as a full-time artist was rough—filled with challenges, doubts, and constant learning. But in the chaos, I found something priceless: my signature style. After years of obsessing over technique, I craved something more—I let go of the rigid rules I had spent years mastering and focused on what mattered most to me: energy, storytelling, simplicity. And that’s when my art truly became mine.
Year two as a full-time artist hit me hard—a months-long art block that felt impossible to shake. Desperate for a breakthrough, I turned to oil painting and found guidance under an exceptional mentor, Vladislav Yashin.
This piece was my first solo painting, the moment I realized I could translate emotions onto the canvas. With it, a whole new world of artistic possibilities unfolded before me. And just like that, I was ready to create again.
After several paintings, I found myself returning to my first love—graphite. But this time, it was different. I wasn’t just honing my technique; I was reclaiming it. With this piece, I pushed myself further, focusing on visual impact and refinement, not out of necessity, but for the sheer joy of it.
And in doing so, I found something unexpected: confidence.
This was the moment self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and creative block lost their grip on me. I had come full circle—starting with technique, searching for my style, and now, finally, realizing that I had nothing to prove. Now, all that’s left is to bring the world in my mind to life, one portrait at a time.
Conclusion
Being an artist today is anything but a straight path. Social media might make it look like a steady climb, but in reality, it’s full of detours, setbacks, and unexpected breakthroughs. Growth isn’t linear—art isn’t either.
I’m proud of this winding road, of every challenge and mistake, because they’ve shaped the artist I’ve become. And now, in 2025, I’m ready to push further, to refine my vision, and to create without hesitation.
This year, it’s all about bringing my world to life—on my own terms.
Will YOU join me on this portrait adventure?
Voilà, that’s all for today.
Bisou,
Léa
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Great artwork. Great stories. Simply fantastic. Thank you for the inspiration!😌
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