This piece was drawn alongside the Octopus for that same 2018 high school art show. Our teacher wanted to create a massive wall feature showcasing everyone’s work, so the whole class was assigned to complete a piece. However, stippling is an extreme test of patience—many of my classmates got frustrated or impatient and left theirs unfinished. Because I was completely hooked on the technique, I happily stepped in and took on a few extra designs myself, including this intricate study of the human mind.

The complex, winding folds of the brain provided an awesome challenge for experimenting with deep contrast, heavy shadows, and negative space to make the form pop off the page. Hand-inked using fine-tipped pigment liners, focusing heavily on creating deep recess shadows between the folds to give the illustration a striking, sculptural depth.

Roughly 10 hours of focused dot-work, balanced between regular class periods and staying up super late.

This drawing captures the exact moment I realized stippling wasn't just a class assignment for me; it was an obsession. It represents pushing past the point where others get tired and finding joy in the sheer dedication it takes to finish a piece.