Whales are truly majestic creatures, storied and mythologized in literature and legends from as far back as humans have been writing. My wife and I took a whale watching trip this past Summer and got up close and personal with 9 Humpback whales, three Minke whales, a basking shark and several seals. I wasn't prepared for how beautiful, strong, graceful and enormous these wonderful animals would be. This drawing is meant to capture some of the detail of the humpback whale's unique shapes, textures and markings.

The humpback whale, with its immense form and fluid grace, embodies both power and vulnerability in the vast expanse of the ocean. In my large-scale graphite drawing, I seek to capture the whale’s presence, emphasizing the intricate textures of its barnacle-covered skin, the sweeping curve of its fins, and the quiet intelligence in its eye. The sheer scale of the drawing invites viewers to experience the enormity of the whale up close, bridging the distance between human and marine life. Through graphite’s subtle tonal range, I explore the interplay of light and shadow on the whale’s body, evoking the way it moves through the water with both weight and effortlessness.

Beyond its physical form, this work is a meditation on the whale’s role as a symbol of deep time, migration, and interconnectedness. Humpbacks navigate vast distances across the globe, carrying with them songs that echo across oceans—living records of their experience. The drawing process itself mirrors this sense of movement and endurance; each mark contributes to a greater whole, much like the rhythms of the whale’s journey. In rendering this creature with detail and sensitivity, I aim to prompt reflection on our relationship with the natural world, highlighting both the beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems in an era of environmental change.