Egon Schiele’s art is defined by its raw intensity and emotional depth. His ability to capture the vulnerability of the human body—through angular, distorted figures—pushed the boundaries of traditional portraiture. Inspired by his own tragic loss and psychological struggles, Schiele’s work conveys the complexities of life, death, and sexuality in a way that is both unsettling and beautiful.

In this blog, I explore how Schiele’s early influences, like Gustav Klimt, shaped his journey as an artist, and how he eventually broke free from those conventions to develop his own unique voice. I also discuss the lasting impact Schiele has had on contemporary artists like Agnes Cecil, whose work continues to embrace the rawness and honesty that Schiele so brilliantly mastered. Join me as I reflect on how his art has influenced my own and the lessons I’ve learned from Schiele’s emotional approach to creation.

I never thought I’d feel a connection with Albrecht Dürer. His work always felt too technical, too rigid—nothing like the way I paint. But when I started studying him for my Masters Reimagined series, something shifted. From a gouache skull study to a rhinoceros that tested my patience, to a final portrait that made me pause—I didn’t come away painting like him, but I came away understanding something. About discipline. About detail. About how copying isn’t the goal. Listening is.

Van Gogh—well, Vincent—has always felt personal to me. For my March Masters Reimagined study, I tried painting with his energy using watercolor and pastels. Not to copy him, but to understand him. What surprised me most wasn’t how he painted, but how deeply he noticed. This project changed the way I see movement, emotion… and even led me into my next piece, Child, Blossom.

Born into a working-class family, J.M.W. Turner rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most revolutionary artists in history. His unique ability to capture light, atmosphere, and emotion in landscapes speaks to his genius, but his path to success was shaped by his resilience and independence. Turner’s upbringing in the bustling streets of London fueled his drive to create art that transcended the conventional. Despite lacking the privileges of his peers, Turner’s raw talent and innovative spirit led him to challenge the established norms of the art world, ultimately leaving a legacy that still resonates with artists today. It’s that same sense of boldness and exploration that I channel into my own work, whether experimenting with his watercolor techniques or reinterpreting his masterpieces in my own style.

What makes a Botticelli painting his? Is it the delicate, flowing lines? The delicate beauty? Or the ego of an artist determined to stand out in Renaissance Florence? I think its all of it combined into his unique artistic voice. His background as a gold engraver really showed in how he approached his art - those precise lines weren't an accident. Usually I jump into painting but slowing down the process and following his footsteps a bit was a great learning process. I had to force myself to be patient and really study his technique before applying my own colors.

What makes a Sargent painting feel unmistakably like a Sargent? In my quest to understand the master's technique, I discovered that it's not just about bold brushstrokes and confident gestures—it's about knowing when to be bold and when to whisper. Through a series of studies combining watercolor, gouache, and oil pastel, I unraveled the layers of Sargent's genius while confronting my own artistic hesitations. This exploration reveals not just the technical aspects of his work, but also why his paintings continue to captivate us a century later.