What I Learned After Painting Four Studies In One Week

Rapid learning, surprise discoveries and unexpected side effects

Last week I accidentally turned into a study machine.
My plan was to paint one tiny background test, drink some coffee and continue with my day.
But no.
My idea notebook had other plans because I ended up making four studies in one week. Four. In a row. Like a very polite artistic tornado.

Here is what I learned from this little creative sprint.

Colour is basically the boss and I am just the assistant

I always knew colour mattered, but seeing all four studies together was like watching four siblings raised by the same parents who ended up with completely different personalities.

One study looked peaceful and natural.
One looked warm and earthy.
One looked deep and a little mysterious.
And one looked like the opening scene of a fantasy movie.

Same strokes.
Same size.
Same technique.
Different emotional weather.

It was basically botanical speed dating and everyone showed up.

Small canvases are sneaky and powerful

I grabbed 40 by 40 cm canvases thinking, “Cute and quick, this will be easy.”
Well, joke is on me because they turned into tiny worlds with real depth and atmosphere.

Small canvases do not feel small when you commit to layering.
They feel surprisingly immersive.
A little like discovering a pocket universe.

The ugly stage is not optional

Every study had that moment where I whispered,
“Oh no… I have ruined everything.”
And then, about ten minutes later,
“Oh wait, never mind, this is amazing.”

Apparently the ugly stage is not a warning, it is simply a milestone.
Like a dramatic commercial break in every painting’s storyline.
Your artwork is fine.
Your nerves are the problem.

Limiting your tools makes you more creative

For these studies I used the exact same brushstroke technique each time.
Same rhythm.
Same movement.
Same flow.

You would think that would create repetitive results, but it did the opposite.
Because technique was fixed, all the creativity went into exploring light, colour, contrast and mood.
It felt like ordering from a menu with only five items, but each one tasted completely different.

Studies remove fear and replace it with curiosity

Large canvases feel like a commitment.
Studies feel like freedom.
They remove the pressure and replace it with experimentation.
You can try, test, mess around and discover things by accident. It is a playful mindset shift, and it speeds up learning like crazy.

After four studies in one week I can honestly say I learned more in these small pieces than in several months of big canvases. Not because they are better, but because they are faster, lighter and easier to reflect on.

If you feel stuck, overwhelmed or perfectionistic, try painting a study.
Then maybe another one.
Your next creative breakthrough might be hiding inside a tiny square canvas.