The Things We Cannot Control

Inspired by M3 silhouettes and contour drawing in the Sketching Techniques Course, this piece explored the idea of trying to control something you cannot control. Living in Zambia, surrounded by wildlife, the hippo represents one of my biggest fears (not just physically). The naked figure reflects vulnerability and insecurity when faced with something unpredictable and uncontrollable. This artwork became a reminder to myself that not everything in life can be controlled, and sometimes the strength is simply in recognising that rather than fighting it.

Watercolour, Pencil, Charcoal and Oil Pastel

Creating depth in my artwork is something I am still learning (and battle with), the silhouettes and contour drawing in the Sketching Techniques Course helped me explore this further. What started as a simple figure drawing slowly became a more meaningful and personal sketch to me. But at the same time, I allowed myself to play and enjoy the process; with colour, layering, and mixed mediums to capture mood and feeling, letting the imperfections exist naturally.