This is round three of my art competition, and I put four artists on the clock for a 90-minute mixed media bust from a live model: Erica (legit one of the best models in the world). Everyone gets the exact same limited kit: one gouache set, a case of colored pencils, and three ink pens. The whole point is to see who can adapt fast, make smart choices, and still pull off something that feels alive—not just “accurate.” What I love about this battle is how differently people handle gouache under pressure. One artist is straight-up learning gouache in real time, another is leaning on drawing skills to survive, and someone with gouache experience has no excuses except their own decisions. I walk around, check in on process (big wet washes, ethereal layering, texture with pencil), and you can literally see the moment where the medium starts to click—or fight back. The takeaway: constraints don’t just limit you, they force clarity. You either commit to an idea and take the risks, or you play it safe and hope the fundamentals carry you. If you want the full results and who takes the round, watch the full episode on my channel.