Love to see these comparisons! I’m just starting out painting and having *just* got a pretty basic handle on the actual paint and how to use it, I’m starting to branch out a little w/subjects, compositions, etc etc. Anyways, I find I have to use photos for a lot of it and was feeling ashamed b/c of the “from life” idea. I think that if I can study from life the things I can (you know, still lifes etc.) then the things I learn there can transfer over. I do find myself getting stuck in trying to make things look JUST like the photo, but seeing this helps me see possibilities! You rock, I love your work.