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Description
Recently, I have been given the opportunity to do some artwork for a local exhibition. As the theme is mental health, I thought I’d try and bring to life several things that have affected me before, and will probably do so in the future. Stress has always been a big one for me, I get stressed very easily, and if my stress had a physical form, it would look like this. It would be a sickly, extremely hyperactive creature in a constant state of fight-or-flight. It would always be running and jumping around, slashing everything up with its’ claws or the numerous harsh spikes covering its’ body, while emitting ferocious, primordial screams. Its’ wounded fingers and lips stem from a bad habit of mine that occurs when I’m stressed; namely chewing the skin around my fingernails and lips. To try and counter this, I tend to eat more, so this beast also has an insatiable appetite.

Although rarely dangerous for prolonged periods, Stress is chaotic and fiercely destructive in the short term, and can cause severe harm. It tends to leave its’ host once its’ cause is removed or coping mechanisms are found, but it lies in wait for the next opportunity to arise and wreak havoc anew...

My first attempt at cross-hatch shading, and using different sized fineliners to bring out the details. Two more ‘beasts of insecurity’ to follow.

Description
Recently, I have been given the opportunity to do some artwork for a local exhibition. As the theme is mental health, I thought I’d try and bring to life several things that have affected me before, and will probably do so in the future. Stress has always been a big one for me, I get stressed very easily, and if my stress had a physical form, it would look like this. It would be a sickly, extremely hyperactive creature in a constant state of fight-or-flight. It would always be running and jumping around, slashing everything up with its’ claws or the numerous harsh spikes covering its’ body, while emitting ferocious, primordial screams. Its’ wounded fingers and lips stem from a bad habit of mine that occurs when I’m stressed; namely chewing the skin around my fingernails and lips. To try and counter this, I tend to eat more, so this beast also has an insatiable appetite.

Although rarely dangerous for prolonged periods, Stress is chaotic and fiercely destructive in the short term, and can cause severe harm. It tends to leave its’ host once its’ cause is removed or coping mechanisms are found, but it lies in wait for the next opportunity to arise and wreak havoc anew...

My first attempt at cross-hatch shading, and using different sized fineliners to bring out the details. Two more ‘beasts of insecurity’ to follow.