Studio Notes: Somnia

Soft graphite lines. The raw scratch of 7B pencil on paper. Tamino playing low in the background.

The Concept

Somnia captures a figure suspended between states—eyes closed, long lashes cast in shadow. One half of the face yields to abstract raven feathers, while fine white lines carve light directly out of the darkness.

The Perspective Shift

Drawn horizontally on the easel, the piece completely transforms when rotated into portrait. Viewing the composition from a new angle changes the movement entirely: is he sinking into deep sleep, or being lifted into another realm by mythic black wings?

Part of the “My Sight at Night” collection.