Learn the rules like a pro...

"Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist" - Pablo Picasso

I never really understood the meaning of this quote until now. When you first learn to draw, you rely heavily on reference photos and try not to deviate

from them. Getting my drawing to look exactly like the photo was really my only goal. There's nothing wrong with wanting acuracy; proportions are extremely important to portrait making.

However, the real magic happens when we let our imagination, concepts and beliefs show through in our work. After learning the rules of drawing, take it to the next level and put your own spin on it. Your uniqueness is the magic ingredient to making art.

In this series of paintings I appropriately title "Finger paint series", I implemented the use of children's finger paint ( bought at the $.99 store) with acrylic paint. I applied it with my fingers haphazardly across the carefully painted faces.