'Studies' are sketches drawn with the intention of learning about the drawing process, or more specifically, about drawing that particular subject. Generally an artist will do a set of studies of a subject, drawn from various angles, before embarking on a major painting. Studies often have a great deal of artistic value in their own right. Still life - an arrangement of objects - is a favorite subject for beginner studies, giving the artist complete control over their subject, and keeping the drawing 'problems' to a small, manageable size.
Go to the Still Life and Studies Gallery.