Profile Portrait – Created in Infinite Painter

This is a profile portrait I created on iPad using Infinite Painter, based on a reference photo and sketched with a red old pencil brush. I wanted to keep it simple while exploring texture and line flow, and this brush has just the right feel for that, soft, tactile, and a bit unpredictable in the best way.

Infinite Painter continues to impress with how well it replicates natural media like pencils, oils, gouache, and watercolor. The control it offers over paper texture, depth, and brush behavior makes it one of my go-to tools for digital sketching and painting.

Highly recommend checking it out if you’re after that traditional feel in a digital space.

#DigitalArt #InfinitePainter #iPadArt

New Year’s Resolution: Reorganizing the Studio for a Creative 2025

As the year winds down, I decided to take some time to reorganise my studio space. It’s something I’d been putting off for a while, but it felt like the right moment to reset and prepare for what’s ahead.

The goal was simple: to create a more comfortable, functional environment that supports my workflow and encourages me to make even more art in 2025. I cleared out unused materials, rearranged some furniture, and tried to open up the space both physically and mentally.

There’s still plenty to improve, especially when it comes to my digital art station. My current table and chair setup is... let’s just say "less than ergonomic." That’s going to be the next big upgrade. 

Still, even with a few pieces of the puzzle left to finish, the space already feels different. Hopefully, this fresh start will help fuel new ideas.

#ArtStudio #NewYearsResolution #CreativeWorkspace #StudioReorganization #DigitalArtSetup #SimonLocheArt #ArtistLife

Quick Photoshop Tip – Rule of Thirds Grid Made Easy

 If you’ve ever wanted a fast, built-in way to apply the Rule of Thirds in your Photoshop compositions, without manually overlaying a reference image, this quick tip is for you.

It takes just a few seconds to set up and works every time you toggle your grid. Here’s how:

How to Set Up a Rule of Thirds Grid in Photoshop:

1. Go to Preferences > Guides, Grids & Slices.

2. Set Gridline Every to 100%.

3. Set Subdivisions to 3.

4. To display the grid, go to View > Show > Grid or use the shortcut Ctrl+` (PC) or Cmd+` (Mac).

That’s it. Now, each time you toggle the grid, you’ll get a clean, non-invasive Rule of Thirds overlay, perfect for checking your focal points, composition balance, and visual flow.

This setup works especially well for quick layout adjustments, thumbnails, or even more polished pieces where you want to double-check your compositional anchors.

Let me know if this was useful, or if you’d like more Photoshop workflow tips like this. Always happy to share!

Infinite Painter - Sketch from Photo Reference

 

Infinite Painter - Sketch from Photo Reference

19th-Century Inspiration: The Spanish Artists Who Shaped My Creativity

I’ve always been fascinated by 19th-century artists, especially those working in the latter half of the century, during a time of dramatic societal, cultural, and artistic change. This was the period that bridged the traditional with the modern, and many of the ideas, techniques, and movements born then still echo in the work we do today.

As a French artist, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the French artistic landscape of that era. France was the epicenter of innovation, from academic painting to the birth of Impressionism and beyond. It was a time of experimentation, rebellion, and redefining beauty.

But after living in Spain for over 15 years, I’ve come to appreciate another side of that history: the powerful, distinct contributions of Spanish artists from the same era. Their approach to light, portraiture, and everyday life carries an expressive honesty that resonates with me deeply.

It’s difficult to choose which artists have influenced me the most, but if I had to name three who have had a lasting impact on my work and artistic perspective, it would be:

• Joaquín Sorolla — for his extraordinary handling of light and movement, especially in outdoor scenes.

• Ramon Casas — for his expressive linework, elegance, and understanding of character.

• Aureliano de Beruete — for his ability to capture landscapes with emotional depth and subtle atmosphere.

These artists have reminded me to look beyond the surface, to embrace immediacy and gesture, and to ground technical skill in lived experience and light.

What about you? Which artists, from the 19th century or beyond, have left a mark on your creative path?

#ArtHistory #19thCenturyArt #Sorolla #RamonCasas #AurelianoDeBeruete #ArtistInspiration #SimonLocheArt

Sketching Moments That Matter

 

Every now and then, I do a sketch that reminds me exactly why I love drawing. It’s not about the polish or precision, it’s about capturing something real with just a few lines.

This one is a quick black and white sketch made in Adobe Fresco. Simple, fast, but focused on what matters most: body language and the quiet confidence that comes from feeling at ease. It’s the kind of pose that doesn’t shout, but tells you everything through subtle gestures.

Sketches like this are a reminder that sometimes, the strongest storytelling comes from restraint. A few lines, the right posture, and just enough suggestion to let the viewer fill in the rest.

More studies like this to come.

Tribute to Kim Jung Gi – Sketch from THU 2024

 

During my time at THU (Trojan Horse Was a Unicorn) 2024, I took a moment to create a tribute sketch for Kim Jung Gi, an artist whose impact on the art world is beyond measure.

Kim Jung Gi’s unparalleled talent, creativity, and passion for art continue to inspire artists across the globe. His dynamic linework, incredible memory, and storytelling ability have set a benchmark that few can match.

While surrounded by other artists at THU, it felt natural to honor someone who changed the way so many of us approach sketching, composition, and even how we view the act of drawing itself. This sketch was my small way of paying respect to a master whose influence is still felt daily in the creative community.

I miss his presence deeply, but his energy lives on through every artist he touched. His work remains a source of inspiration for me.

Rest in peace, Kim Jung Gi. Your art lives forever.

#KimJungGi #TributeSketch #THU2025 #ArtInspiration #MasterArtist #SimonLocheArt #Sketching #DrawingTribute

Using MapCrunch and Instant Street View for Landscape and Environment Painting Inspiration

Finding fresh, interesting references for landscape and environment studies can sometimes feel repetitive. That’s why I often turn to two great tools: MapCrunch (https://www.mapcrunch.com) and Instant Street View (https://www.instantstreetview.com).

Both platforms pull imagery from Google Street View, offering access to real-world environments from all over the globe. Whether you’re looking for a windswept coastline, a dense urban street, or a remote countryside, you can land somewhere unexpected and inspiring in just a few clicks.

MapCrunch drops you into random locations, often leading to places you wouldn’t think to search for yourself. Instant Street View lets you be more targeted, searching specific cities, landmarks, or regions, while still using the navigable Street View imagery. Together, they give you both randomness and control depending on what kind of reference you’re after.

For artists, these tools are invaluable because they expose you to different lighting, architecture, terrain, and mood, and they help you avoid falling into the trap of painting the same type of scene over and over again.

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Mini-Tutorial: How to Use MapCrunch and Instant Street View for Painting Studies

1. Explore Randomly or Intentionally

   • Use MapCrunch for random inspiration. Just click “Go” and see where it takes you.

   • Use Instant Street View if you have a specific place in mind, like “Iceland coast” or “Tokyo back alley.”

2. Look for Composition Opportunities

   • Move around and adjust the viewpoint to find strong framing, leading lines, interesting light, or color contrasts.

3. Capture the Scene

   • Take a screenshot when you find a composition you like. Focus on big shapes and mood rather than tiny details.

4. Set a Time Limit for the Study

   • Challenge yourself to do a quick 30- to 45-minute study to capture the essence without getting lost in over-rendering.

5. Vary Your Exercises

   • Paint the environment as it is, or push it further: change the weather, time of day, or add storytelling elements.

   • Try doing a series based on a single region but at different times of day.

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Using tools like MapCrunch and Instant Street View keeps your practice dynamic, varied, and full of surprises. They’re simple, free, and a fantastic way to stretch your observation and imagination.

If you haven’t tried them yet, I highly recommend adding them to your study routine.

#LandscapePainting #EnvironmentArt #ArtInspiration #MapCrunch #InstantStreetView #DigitalPainting #SimonLocheArt

The Value of Quick Marker Studies – 1 Value Exercises

 

One of the easiest yet most efficient methods to enhance your visual comprehension is to do quick studies with markers. Specifically, 1 value studies, which use only one shade of grey or black, compel you to concentrate solely on readability, composition, and shape.

Markers provide immediacy, something that digital tools can occasionally make more difficult. No undo button or endless tweaking is available. You learn to make decisions more quickly and confidently as a result of your commitment to each stroke.

Limiting yourself to a single value forces you to consider what is most important. Which silhouette is it? Where is the difference? What elements of the picture must be immediately readable, even at a quick glance? These exercises sharpen your ability to group information and simplify complex scenes without losing clarity.

Quick marker (or digital marker) studies aren’t about making perfect drawings. They’re about training your eye to see what’s essential and to strengthen your instincts. Over time, these fast, focused sessions have a real impact on larger, more detailed works.

It’s a habit I keep coming back to, and one I highly recommend to anyone serious about improving their foundations. Grab a marker and start with one value. You’ll be surprised how much you learn.

#ArtFundamentals #ValueStudies #MarkerSketching #QuickStudies #VisualDevelopment #SimonLocheArt

Landscape Study in Collserola with HeavyPaint

 

This digital landscape was painted during a walk in Collserola, the natural park just outside Barcelona. It’s a place I often return to, not just for the views, but for the quiet rhythm it offers, especially when you step away from the city.

I used HeavyPaint for this study. The app’s stripped-down interface and unpredictable brushes push you to think in broad shapes and color relationships rather than fine details. Perfect for capturing the mood of a place quickly, without getting stuck in technical execution.

This sketch wasn’t planned. It was more of a response to the light and how it moved across the hills and tree lines. Just a few colors, a few shapes, and an attempt to hold onto that feeling for a bit longer.

Looking forward to doing more of these, both in Collserola and wherever the next walk takes me.