💎 [New art] I forgot how to draw
Portrait Gem #44
Bonjour my little demon,
You’re now one of 21,040 souls collecting my gems. Whether you just joined or have been here from the beginning, thank you so much for reading 🖤
If you haven’t already, you can:
Read previous Gems
Explore what I plan for you in 2025
Follow me on Instagram
TODAY’S GEM
In this missive, I shared my plan to redraw one of my signature portraits from 2023. Last week, I finally made time for it… But nothing went as planned.
Picture this: me in my atelier, buzzing with excitement—I finally had time to draw. I was ready. I knew exactly what I wanted to create. I knew this character inside out—I had brought her to life two years ago.
And yet... I couldn't start.
You probably know this feeling—the one where it seems like you forgot how to draw overnight.
It typically happens when life gets too busy.
For me, I had been deep into creating my new masterclass Portrait for Meaning and preparing the New Year Launch. Even though I kept up some portrait studies, this blank page felt different—too much noise in my head.
To break through the block, I told myself: why not make this drawing process a fun and safe place?
Instead of starting from a blank page, I switched to making multiple drafts, building confidence through the design process. And to make it even more fun, why not try digital drafts this time?
It gave me freedom. A way to play, to reconnect, to find Terra again. Who is she? How should I portray her? The moment I let go of my usual process, the pressure disappeared.
With a solid draft in hand, I finally moved back to graphite—no blank page, no hesitation. I felt confident, reconnected to my art. Four hours later (yes, I’m slow), the portrait was complete.
And today, let me introduce you to the New Terra:
Looking at this redraw, I realize my biggest growth this year wasn’t just about improving skills—it was about finding a style that truly feels like mine.
👉 Which version speaks to you more, and why? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’m reading every one!
Voilà, that’s all for today.
Bisou,
Léa
🔥Tribe Spotlight🔥
Just like me with Terra, I invited my Portrait Gems students to redraw one of my Elementary Demons in their own style—and the results are incredible!
Check out some of the amazing entries!
If you liked this gem, you can leave a comment💜
I too have had days where it felt like every artistic grace had left my body and I I was a fraud. At first I was scared, and later on I told myself it was the effects of my burnout. I'm glad I found this, I'm definitely going to try drafting next time it happens.
Also, I'd like to draw one of your demons sometime, they seem exciting. How or where do I start?
the 2025 of terra is a better, more so it conveys a better emotional feeling