Skull With Rose

I created this artwork for the 2025 JrVase. I am very proud of it, actually. since this a more recent piece, I have more information about it on hand and it is fresher in my memory. (As of writing this.)

Symbolism

It is supposed to symbolize the reminder of death and mortality.

Artistic Process

For this artwork, i used acrylic for the black background and graphite pencils for everything else. I made observations of a rose and a skull, combined them as a digital reference, and used the grid method to scale it up. Everything is on top a traditional black background. I used a 10B pencil for the darkest shades, and a normal HB for the lightest. To finish it off, i sprayed it with a matte finish.

Principles

The most important elements and principles for this artwork are

• Value
• Form
• Emphasis
• Proportion

Judgement

I had to decide whether to create the artwork in color or B&W. I chose B&W because it feels more visually appealing. I also had to decide whether the skull will fade into shadow or not. I could of painted the whole thing, that would of made it look a bit more natural. That would of also fixed the shine of the graphite. Oil paints would of worked well, though i am not too experienced with them.

JRVASE PRIZE

My artwork placed in the fourth section, which is really good. The higher up it is the better. I think there is 5 or 6 levels, so hip hip hooray for me! I recieved a bronze medallion as a reward-- second best from platinum!