Noticing what you discovered and choosing your next direction
Reflection
After completing a series of studies, it can be helpful to pause and look at your work with a little distance.
Reflection is not about judging your work or deciding whether something is successful. Instead, it gives you a moment to notice what happened as you explored an idea through repetition.
When several studies are placed side by side, small discoveries often become clearer. You might notice a color combination you enjoyed, a pattern that felt satisfying to repeat, or a technique that surprised you.
These observations help guide your next steps and keep your creative practice moving forward.
Why We Reflect?
Take a moment to look at the studies you created during your Series Practice.
If you finished your series recently, you may find it helpful to return to it later with fresh eyes. Artists often revisit their work after some time has passed so they can notice their first impressions more clearly.
Open your Studio Journal and write a few notes as you move through the following questions.
Let's Get Started!
Ask yourself:
• Which study in the series feels the most interesting to me?
• Did any variation work better than I expected?
• Was there a study that surprised me?
• Did anything change as I repeated the idea?
Write a few notes in your Studio Journal.
Looking Back at Your Series
Consider:
• Did any materials or techniques feel especially enjoyable to use?
• Did something become easier or more natural as I repeated it?
• Did any variation create an effect I would like to try again?
• Did anything not work the way I expected?
Write a few thoughts in your Studio Journal.
What Did You Notice While Repeating the Idea?
Ask yourself:
• Is there a technique I would like to practice again?
• Did I discover a color palette or pattern I enjoyed working with?
• Is there an idea here that could continue into another series?
• Did this series spark a new idea I would like to explore?
Write a few notes in your Studio Journal.
What Did You Learn From This Series?
You might decide to:
• Continue the same series by exploring new variations
• Begin a different series based on another idea
• Return to Exploration and experiment with something new
Take a moment to write your next step in your Studio Journal.
What Would You Like to Do Next?
Look back at the plan you wrote in your Studio Journal.
Ask yourself:
• What did I keep consistent in this series?
• What variation created the most interesting result?
• Is there another small change I would like to try?
You might continue the series by exploring variations such as:
• adjusting the color palette
• changing the pattern or design
• trying different art materials
Try adding two or three more studies to your series while keeping your main idea consistent. Write a few notes in your Studio Journal about the variations you want to try next.
When you feel ready, return to your sketchbook and begin the next studies in your series. When the series begins to feel complete, return to the Reflection page and decide where you’d like to go next.
Continue the Series
A Moment to Celebrate
By staying with an idea long enough to explore it in several ways, you’ve moved beyond a single experiment and allowed the idea to develop.
Each series builds confidence, strengthens your skills, and reveals more about the kinds of marks, colors, and techniques that interest you.
Take a moment to appreciate what you’ve created.
If you’d like, consider sharing your series with the community on Patreon. Seeing how different artists explore their ideas can be inspiring for everyone in the Studio.
You might share:
• a photo of your series together
• a favorite study from the group
• a short note about what you discovered while repeating the idea
There is no pressure to share, but if you do, it’s a wonderful way to celebrate your work and connect with other artists who are exploring alongside you.
When you’re ready, continue the cycle and return to your sketchbook with curiosity. ✨
