Bonjour my little demon,
Whether you just joined or have been here from the beginning, thank you so much for reading 🖤.
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TODAY’S GEM
In my last gem, I introduced you to my new cat concept—and you voted for both: a fully rendered graphite portrait and an oil painting.
So what’s next?
In today’s missive, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my very first solo attempt at creating custom references… from scratch!
1 – I need a ref.
After seeing the poll results, I was buzzing with ideas.
But then came the real question: What now?
For my smaller portrait sheets, I usually work from a mix of royalty-free images and personal photos. I build a moodboard, sketch a few drafts, observe closely, and let the image grow on the page.
But this time... I’m aiming bigger.
And bigger ideas need stronger references.
Something tailor-made. Something that matches the character I have in mind—not just a pose or an angle, but the vibe, the story, the power.
So I realized: I don't have 3D modeling skills and I can’t wait for the perfect photo to appear online.
I have to create it.
2 – The photoshoot.
So I decided to do something I’ve never done before:
✨ Set up my own photoshoot—completely on my own.
Here’s what it took:
Step 1: hunt for props. I spent hours shopping and crafting accessories that could capture the spirit of the character.
Step 2: set the stage. I ran test after test to figure out the lighting, the framing, the overall vibe.
Step 3: become her. On shoot day, I slipped into her world—through clothes, hair, and makeup.
Step 4: shoot. Hundreds of photos. Most were awkward. Some, chaotic. But a few... had that spark.
Despite my perfectionism, I kept one thing in mind: I wasn’t trying to look pretty or polished. I just needed strong shapes and good light.
The rest? I’ll bring it later—on Photoshop, and on paper.
3 – Everything, everywhere, all at once
From the moment I started planning this photoshoot, I knew I still had a lot to learn.
For the first time, I was the art director, the photographer, the model, the prop stylist, the lighting tech, and the makeup artist. All at once.
So obviously… things didn’t go exactly as planned.
My problem-solving skills were put to the test but somehow, in the middle of all that chaos, a few shots clicked.
They weren’t perfect. But they sparked something. That little something that says: this could become a real piece.
Conclusion: the real beginning
The biggest lesson I’m taking from this whole experience is this: a portrait doesn’t start when the pencil hits the page. It starts much earlier—right here, in the act of imagining, dressing up, testing, failing, trying again.
And this week, I felt so much.
Frustration, excitement, doubt, joy— Feelings I rarely get to share in full.
If you’ve been following my journey, you know I’m currently preparing my Patreon launch. And honestly, it feels more and more like the right move.
Because with it, I’ll share everything in detail.
The experiments.
The doubts.
The solutions.
The decisions.
The magic.
🖤 I want this space to be an honest backstage of my creative world. And I can’t wait to invite you in soon.
Until then, I’m so glad I get to take you along on this new project right here, in these Portrait Gems.
So tell me:
🔥 TODAY’S TRIBE SPOTLIGHT 🔥
In today’s spotlight, I’m proudly sharing a portrait of me created by @opedroink. Thanks for turning me into a demon girl 🖤.
Want to be featured too?
If you’ve created a study from one of my videos, have a story related to one of my Gems, or even feedback, send it to me by email or in the comments—it might be featured in the Tribe Spotlight and admired by +20,000 people!
(Don’t forget to include your name or IG handle)
youpi