Wolf's Sketches

[Wolkenfels]

I think i somehow have reached a point where i can say i can copy a photo well enough for my expectations. And now i am struggling since a few days with the question where i want to go from here. It was never my goal to make things look realistic but copying them that way is easy. I definitely like to work with a photoreference but there must be a way to use them to make a new work and not copy the photo one.
I don't know how to abstract from here. Any ideas how to go for a more artistic way?

And to underline my words - my latest work is a realistic approach.
Sandworm - 30 minute Spitpaint