HS Drawing I

 (IDEA) 

This drawing is a tribute to my cat, Max, who passed away in April 2024. The idea came from a photo I took of him on the couch, wrapped up in a fluffy blanket. He looked so peaceful in that moment, and I wanted to capture that sense of happiness. The image started as a simple cute photo, but it changed into something more about love, loss, and the quiet comfort pets bring into our lives.

(PROCESS) 

I used graphite pencil on textured paper to create the drawing. I started by lightly sketching Max’s form, following the exact measurements of the photo, then gradually layered the graphite to build up the texture of his fur and the blanket. 

(SYMBOLISM & ICONOGRAPHY) 

The blanket symbolizes comfort and warmth, which is something that Max always brought to my life. I want to encourage readers to not take simple moments like these for granted, because you never know when you'll lose someone you love.

(ARTISTIC GROWTH) 

The blanket was the trickiest part, as it needed to look soft and fluffy, so I focused on light and shadow to make it more obvious that it is a blanket.  The fur was also tricky, and if I could start over I would be sure to spend more time on it.

(VISUAL VOICE) 

The artistic style I went for with this drawing is realism, which is the style I typically use the most. The realism also adds to the comfort this drawing brings me, because it looks so much like him.

 (IDEA) 

My idea for this piece was to practice dimensions and landscaping. I decided to make the outline of Paris including a tall building, the  Eiffel tower and a cat sitting on a ledge. I later painted the drawing with watercolor paints. I chose to do these themes because i've always dreamed of going to France. I also recently saw a photo of a cat in Paris, which I thought was absolutely beautiful.

(PROCESS) 

The first thing I did was pull up some inspiration photos of Paris, and used those to sketch the outline of the architecture with a pencil and ruler. I purposely went for a more doodle type of look, so it was easy to get all of the lines perfect. After making the outline and adding small details, I traced it all with a permanent black marker and erased any pencil, preparing it to be painted.

(SYMBOLISM & ICONOGRAPHY) 

The cat symbolizes a sense of loneliness and independence, which i'd like to show is not always a bad thing. As showed in this drawing, I believe you can always find beauty in loneliness.

(ARTISTIC GROWTH) 

The most difficult part was trying to get the permanent marker to really get in the ridges of the canvas. It was something I didn't think about when choosing my canvas and If i could start over, I would definitely choose something more smooth.

(VISUAL VOICE) 

The artistic style this represents the most is abstract art, as it is not necessarily realistic but leans more towards a cartoonish, external reality look. I don't usually go for this style, but I really like the sense of opportunity it gives.

 (IDEA) 

This was another fill in project that I made for a future painting, practicing dimensions, realism and landscaping. I created this drawing during the fall season, which is why I decided to create the autumn theme. Fall is my favorite season, and I've always loved to create art during this time to really get me into the seasonal spirit.

(PROCESS) 

I started by lightly sketching out the hills with a pencil, then played around with the locations of the barn, bridge, trees and fence until I was satisfied with the layout. I then sketched everything out and added smaller details. Once finished, I ended up tracing it with permanent marker and painting it with watercolor paints.

(SYMBOLISM & ICONOGRAPHY) 

In most of my art pieces, I like to add an animal in some form, to add meaning and a real life presence. The cat in this drawing adds a sense of peace and companionship, showing that we’re never truly alone, even in nature. I want my viewers to see this scene and think about the quiet, simple moments in life that should be cherished.

(ARTISTIC GROWTH) 

The hardest part for me was trying to sketch on a bumpy canvas. The ridges made it hard to keep a straight line and avoid empty white spots. 

(VISUAL VOICE) 

This drawing is realistic, but with a softer touch that matches my style. I love how it captures a peaceful moment in nature, that the viewer can really enter themselves in if they try to.