Medium: Graphite and colored pencil
Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches each
This small series of owl studies was made as artist trading cards, each measuring 2.5 x 3.5 inches.
I enjoy making ATCs. I love the format: small, quick, self-contained, and just structured enough to invite experimentation without turning into a grand production.
These owl studies were made primarily with graphite, with some colored pencil added for deeper darks and pure white. The tiny size made the drawings feel immediate. There wasn’t much room to fuss, which was part of the appeal. Each card became a compact study in texture, feather patterns, value, and expression.
Owls are such good subjects for this kind of work. Their faces already have drama built in: watchful eyes, soft feather shapes, sharp beaks, and that mysterious little “I know what you did in the pantry” energy. Here, they gave me a chance to push light against dark and suggest a lot of detail in a very small space.
I enjoyed making these because they moved quickly, but still felt complete.
