How A Non-Illustration Student Used Colored Pencils To Become An Illustrator

Hi! My name is Deborah, a freshly-graduated Illustrator. I attended a university known for engineering and research, so the best way to practice my pencil drawings was through a self-driven project.

During my last semester of undergrad, I took an independent study to pursue a personal project inspired by ‘Life of Pi.’ Using colored pencils on large sheets of paper (18×24 inches) to make a series off of one of the most vibrant books I could think of. Thinking about all the scenery––the Pondicherry zoo, the Pacific ocean, the carnivorous island––sparked my imagination enough that I was excited to spend (probably hundreds) of hours on my colorful drawing vision.

Yes, my hands hurt like crazy after! But the beautiful animals were totally worth the labor. The first piece, “Pi’s Paradise,” even won a scholarship from the Society of Illustrators this year too!

You can find more work at debleeart.com.

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