I went back and fixed this one up. I added a collage background using scrapbook paper tweaked some minor things. Its still not perfect but I'm just now entering the intermediate level of mixed media and whimsical art. Canson paper, acrylic matte paints, and watercolor used.
This a self portrait drawing of myself as a younger man, with a lot of shadow play on the portrait itself and a stylized background of a sky, clouds and the sun, rendered in a kind of an imaginary dream-like almost surreal scenario. Many thanks for looking.
Black and white, graphite (pencil) drawing. (This is actually the third rendering of this particular image [the profile, specifically, another favorite]. The background differs for each rendering.)
I feel like I haven't made any actual art in a while, let alone actually said anything about anything. It's been a long week, in both good and bad ways. First off, I was accepted into college, and then (for lack of better words) I accepted my acceptance to that school (I'm officially a Blue Demon!). Gymnastics is shut down, which I feared would happen, due to the rising cases in IL. It'll be closed at least until after the holidays, which scares me, but it is what it is (I wish people would just follow guidelines and wear masks)... I've been frustrated lately, mostly artistically. I go through times where I'm not satisfied with anything, nothing is good enough but all I want to do is create. There are a few larger projects I've been working on in the background, two for school and one personal. The personal one I haven't had much time to work on, but I'm hoping I will over the next few days (since I'm on break.) So yep. Lots of moving parts right now. Anyway, I hope everyone has a safe Thanksgiving!
Inspired by the Neo-Classical period, I pushed myself as an artist to portray subjects in an idealistic fashion combining drama and artificial lighting. The subject is my sister who modelled as a reference, enabling me to control the shadowy effect over her face. The dim lighting and dark background resonated with the period style, focusing on the facial parts that are visible. The end result looks like she is emerging from the darkness. A somber atmosphere is illustrated through visual expression.
Adding the fast drying oil on the brushes improved the blending of the colours on the canvas which was especially useful when it came to applying strokes on the face smoothly. Visit https://www.martiaposts.com for more
What a wonderful Kirkus review!
(Paired here with my favorite improper contraction.)
"A thoughtful look at life, in all its beauty and strangeness.
...
This delightfully deadpan musing on life urges compassion for others. Howden’s straightforward text is on the philosophical side, though also rooted in the absurd. Hahn’s spare black graphite pencil watercolor, mostly set against a white background, are imbued with humor and empathy for the pickle, with the foodstuff’s expressive eyes conveying many emotions at once. "
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sarah-howden/the-wise-pickle/
THE WISE PICKLE
by Sarah Howden ;
illustrated by Sabina Hahn
RELEASE DATE: June 23, 2026
A solitary rowboat drifts across a muted, restless surface, unanchored and unattended. Rendered in charcoal, ink, and subtle white highlights, the vessel exists in a quiet state of motion—moving, yet going nowhere. The surrounding water is suggested through loose, rhythmic lines, emphasizing atmosphere and isolation over realism.
The boat is sharply defined against the hazy background, its dark contours and interior shadows contrasting with the soft, unsettled environment. Oars rest unevenly, implying recent human presence while reinforcing absence. The name Perditas—Latin for “lost”—is affixed to the hull, anchoring the emotional weight of the piece without explanation.
This work explores themes of solitude, uncertainty, and endurance. With no shoreline or destination in sight, Perditas becomes a reflection on drifting—physically, mentally, and emotionally—inviting the viewer to confront their own sense of direction within an undefined space.
This black and white ink drawing portrays an aged man with a beard lost in deep contemplation within a futuristic spaceship setting. The subtle hints of sadness on his face are contrasted against the vastness of space, where the Milky Way is barely visible in the background. The artwork evokes feelings of isolation and reflection, inviting viewers to ponder the human experience amidst the cosmos.
This poignant black and white pencil and ink drawing captures the essence of a dark, broken man with sand slipping through his fingers, symbolizing the passage of time and lost hopes. A hole in his chest reveals his heart, while beside him stands a similarly broken woman. In the foreground, withered flowers and a shattered hourglass accentuate the theme of decay and loss. The background features a forgotten playground, representing the loss of innocence, and a swirling vortex with lightning in the sky that engulfs the man's illusion of reality. This artwork speaks to the emotional turmoil and fragility of the human experience.
I got sick, it's hard to draw...
there are no ideas, so only Too-tiсky (i still love moomins brbrbrbr)
Honestly, the art is pretty weak for my bar.. I kind of like which way my painting is moving, but my recent works has been distinguished by attention to the background or inscriptions... A simple filll somehow already seems to me flawed in MY work.. At the same time, in other people's drawings i even love it... As we say in my country, everything brilliant is simple...
I don't know why I'm messing around in vain... Well, let's put it down to the fact that I'm especially physically unwell today
A unicorn pegasus gracefully perches on a high mountain side, it eyes filled with curiosity. A mountain landscape crowned with fluffy clouds is in the background while a river flows into a lake in the valley below. 8.5" x 11" on sketch paper
An amended version now framed - A Superb Male Fairy Wren (Malurus Cyaneus) with its full plumage and is available with transparent background to suit many merch products.
The Superb Fairy-wren was one of the first Australian birds to be described. Male Superb Fairy-wrens have been labelled as 'the least faithful birds in the world'. Females may be courted by up to 13 males in half an hour.
When I moved into my first apartment, I knew I wanted to create my own wall art. So like any Potterhead artist, I binged Harry Potter movies and painted for many hours straight. This painting is part of a three piece set featuring my favorite plants painted on a soft gradient background. This 8”x10” acrylic painting is made on pre-stretched canvas.
Backgrounds used to be my least favorite part of painting, but now im having fun trying out different textures and patterns. Having a strickt 12 color limit adds to the challenge and makes it feel like a puzzle.
I’m gonna start reading more on human proportions and the human anatomy and how to draw it so for today I have some cones from when I was trying to teach my brother how to drive. I first painted the entire cone in two coats of gesso and then afterwords I painted the background first, put on a clear gesso and then a painted on the vines. I was trying to go for a positive space negative space look I do have other cones so I hope to try doing more of this in the future but for today this is what I made. #365daysofart #workinprogress #painting
