This piece is my way of blending classical art with a modern twist. I wanted to create something that feels both timeless and fresh. The portrait itself was drawn digitally, using muted tones to focus on texture and mood. The graphite-like lines you see, almost like a child’s scribble, were intentional—they add a layer of chaos and spontaneity that contrasts with the smooth rendering of her features. Abstract lines create movement and depth, almost like they’re telling a story of their own. Hopefully, the viewer can find something relatable to their story.

The pearl earring is a nod to Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, but I didn’t want to replicate it. Instead, I reimagined it for today’s world—more raw, less polished. It’s about capturing the balance between serenity and turbulence, beauty and imperfection. The swirling lines and layered textures represent the complexity of emotions we all carry, while the subject’s calm expression acts as a kind of anchor. This work is very much about contrasts and finding harmony within them, as well as within one's own life.

"Rubedo" emerged from a space where my hand led the way before my mind could catch up. What began as an experiment with Procreate evolved into a portrait layered with symbols of transformation and mastery. Bold and impulsive, the work captures the raw spirit of creation—an instinctive process where meaning reveals itself over time.

Her face, softly illuminated against the dark, carries spontaneous graphite doodles that overlay her features, creating a layered, expressive texture. These playful, almost impulsive marks are neither accidental nor purely decorative—they are an integral part of the composition, embodying the unpredictable nature of growth and self-discovery. Rather than imperfections, they represent moments of resilience, where past experiences have shaped her evolving sense of self.

The deep crimson tones surrounding her are more than background elements—they symbolize both conflict and resolution. Acting as visual armor, the red highlights her journey through adversity and her ability to emerge stronger. This connection to the alchemical concept of "Rubedo" reflects the process of transformation, where raw potential is refined into mastery. She emerges from the dark not as a figure escaping it, but as one who carries its lessons forward with purpose, embodying strength and wisdom.

This work invites multiple interpretations: some may see struggle, others, victory. Its energy shifts depending on the viewer’s gaze, inviting them to find their own narrative within her steady, knowing eyes. "Rubedo" is a reflection of becoming—a transformation that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

This portrait is all about freedom—freedom in the brushstrokes, in the colors, and in the way it came together. The bold fuchsia, gold, and teal tones weren’t carefully chosen for meaning—they were instinctive, blending naturally to create a vibrant interplay that reflects the rhythm of creating without overthinking.

The face tilts upward, calm and open, while the brushstrokes around it are chaotic and raw, adding energy and motion that charge the atmosphere of the portrait. It’s about letting go and seeing where the marks lead. The lines are fast, loose, and expressive, sometimes overlapping intentionally, sometimes purely spontaneous. I love how they create a tension between structure and wildness without feeling forced.

To me, this piece isn’t meant to tell a clear story. It’s meant to capture the feeling of movement, the excitement of seeing colors come alive, and the freedom that comes when you move with nature’s flow. That’s the beauty of working in this expressive, abstract way—you create something that means different things to different people, and that’s exactly how it should be.