Ghost

Artwork story

This pencil drawing presents a striking split-face composition: half human portrait, half skull. Rendered with charcoal on paper, the piece explores themes of duality, mortality, and identity. The jagged divide between life and death evokes a raw, introspective vibe, while the detailed textures and shading showcase technical precision and emotional depth.

This piece was born out of a moment of deep reflection — I was thinking about how fragile life is, and how closely tied we are to our own mortality. The idea of splitting the face between a human portrait and a skull came naturally, almost like a visual metaphor for that tension. I wanted to show that contrast: the beauty and complexity of life on one side, and the raw, stripped-down reality of death on the other.

I used charcoal because it gives me control over texture and depth — it’s gritty, expressive, and perfect for capturing emotion. The process was intense. Every line, every shadow felt like I was peeling back layers of thought. It wasn’t just about anatomy or technique; it was about emotion. There was a kind of quiet heaviness while I worked not sadness exactly, but something contemplative.*

In the end, it’s a piece about duality. About how we carry both life and death within us. And maybe, by confronting that, we understand ourselves a little better.