The name of this artwork is "Illusions".

Why illusions? Because they are an integral part of human life, if we speak about an average one. 

Illusions and destructive beliefs are insidious, it’s  difficult to recognize them and get rid of. 

They can take different forms, from ambitions that are not supported with real effort and progress, self- embellishment, painful perfectionism, stifling fears — to obsessive desire to show everybody one’s superiority, even if it means to break and burn the personality, and become loved and approved by all means. 

Illusions steal the chance to live a real life, fulfil the potential and talents, reveal the sincere wishes and find true goals. It’s like to be forced to observe the reality only with the «help» of a mediator, or be blindfolded. 

Illusions make people hold to particular wrong persuasions and stay away from independent thinking and gaining new experience. It happens in a lot of cases — people just don’t make any attempt to go for their dreams, because they believe it’s not possible for them, or not so important. 

But the reality is, nobody can harm them more than themselves (and their destructive deteriorative way of thinking in the first place). I collected various symbols of the will’s suppression and limitations in this artwork: blindfold, runners and interweaving roots.

Until a person has illusions, his or her life can’t be lively and vivid. The being is as inanimate and forced as the dry mossy wooden crown that you can see in the picture. 

But the hope is still here: it can be found in courageous and determined action, acceptance of true reality without attempts to make it more beautiful and perfect, and commitment to self-cultivation. The symbols of this spirit are flowers and berries hidden in the drawing.

This artwork is very personal, even autobiographical. I’m glad that it came into the world in the visual form, and the time was chosen so right. The point is that my interest to gothic/dark art motifs and philosophical themes is fading away. A person can’t focus attention on various things at the one-time unit… 

And when illusions are revealed and abandoned, it clears a lot of place for light and love. I’m in this position now — I chose to see joy and happiness, not the obstacles or drawbacks. I’m changing and my art is too. :) The point is in remembering that everything has two sides, and there is no light without darkness.

And now let’s proceed to the process photos. Below you can see WIPs and even some videos how this artwork was created. I invite you to the Journey! :)

The size of paper 34х30 cm.

Supplies: Faber-Castell Ecco Pigment liners 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.7, lead pencil HB, B, 3B

Pencil sketch, where I was thinking on overall composition and small details:

Inking part is long, broad and time-consuming. :D

Here I have two process videos — a pass behind the scenes :)

And this is how the artwork looked after I completed the inking part (scanned version):

Lead pencil applied and shaded. I worked on an improvised shady perimeter frame, the face and small details. Mixed media technique allows getting all the favorable features of any instrument!

I hope you enjoyed the process and the result :) Thanks for watching!