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Jaxyn Dingbaum "Dingball"
12x15, Watercolor, 2025
I have a total of four siblings. This one, Kadyn, is the one I share the most in common with. I figured it would be funny and honestly a very fun project to work on.
To start this project, I began with my grid layout. I then sketch the outline of him, marking where everything is. Next, I had to start on coloring him in with watercolor pencils. From here, I figured it would make the most sense to start watering the black pencil. I did his hat, along with his suit in tie all in black. His skin color was a mix of brown, red, and even some orange. The flag consisted of red, blue, and white. Finally, the rest of the background in light blue.
I hope viewers of my creation view this with respect. He put in countless hours, sweat, blood, and even tears to earn this moment that was captured on photo. This drawing is just meant as a resemblance of the photo my brother worked so hard for.
Since I was very focused and wanted to make this look good, I was pretty strict on how it looked. The face by far took the most focus and precision. I was struggling getting the correct skin tone. I had a mixture of red, orange, and brown all incorporated in the tone. I would add a couple tweaks to the skin tones but other than that I really like how my project turned out.
I think I nailed the realistic look of my brother. My family can tell from looking at the picture that it's my brother.
Jaxyn Dingbaum "Creature of The Night"
12x15,Colored, 2025
This project is a black panther, stalking its prey behind a tree. My favorite animal is a black panther and that's what fueled my decision that this is what I want to do for a project. Ever since I watched the Marvel movie "Black Pather", I have loved them ever since.
I began this drawing exactly how I started the last one. I had Mrs. Garrity lay out a grid for me, and I used it to sketch my panther onto it. I then started on the eyeball because I knew that was one of if not the most important part of the drawing. After I nailed this, I moved onto the very faint colors that slightly show because of the light. Once I finished all this. I made the tree, and then extra green abyss behind the panther to show as vegetation.
After I constructed this piece, I realized I didn't really have a true meaning for it. I got thinking and thought it would be cool if my drawing made others think of something from their childhood, and do something to incorporate it into their life now. This project acted as a bit of a throw back memory, reminding me of all the fun times of watching one of my favorite movies.
When I was looking between my reference photo and my drawing, I was getting a little frusterated because I was struggling with the colors on the panther. The way the light is making faint colors apper on his black fur was very difficult to make. I still think I trial and errored my way to getting it to look how I like it. If I could change one thing, I would go back and start lighter because I pushed down too hard at the start to the point where the other colors couldn't really be seen.
Swinging back to the childhood topics and memories, I wanted to make this a surreal style of artwork. I hope this project allows the viewers to achieve a dreamlike imagery and really think deep about something they once or still do love.
Jaxyn Dingbaum "Puppy"
8x12, Pencil on Paper, 2025
This is my very first project of the year. I drew a puppy that just so happen to appear sad. Dogs are by far my favroite pet. They are always so supportive and are always happy on their worst days. Dogs are known as a man's best friend and I totally stand by that.
I had no special approach to this. I just started with the shape, no grid, nothing to help. I just freehanded the shape of the puppy and it turned out wonderfully. My next step was to shape the legs and finish the structure portion of the drawing. Next I created the face to get my head structure down, and finally, the shade underneath the puppy.
Since the puppy seems sad, I want this drawing to make viewers think about how they are treating their pet. I want this to make them reflect, and see if they are treating their pet the best they can. Once again, our pets give us all the support we need, every single day. The least we could do it give them positive attitudes back.
(ARTISTIC GROWTH) What was most difficult for you? How did you overcome the struggles? What would you change if you started over?
I was struggling with the legs the most by far. I just simply couldn't get the proportions right and one was always bigger than the other. Eventually I got it and made it look amazing. If I could go back and change one thing, I'd make a little adjustment so his face didn't seem so gloomy and sad.
(VISUAL VOICE) What style of art is this? (Realistic, Abstract, Surreal, Non-Objective?). What makes it unique to your own personal style? What do you love about it?
I think I really hit the nail on the head with this realistic art piece. From my perspective, I think it looks like a very real dog and I am so proud of myself. This is the first project of the year and I can't wait to see what I am capable of creating next!
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