Visual distortion 

Step 1: A cat...

I had to sketch quickly here as I chose to use my neighbours black cat as my subject. With not enough time to even get comfortable, for fear he would run, I used very quick loose lines with a black watercolour wash. 'The black assassin', so black it was very hard to make out eyes and a nose. Jet black from head to toe. 

My describing words: Mysterious, tall, regal, majestic, secretive. 

Step 2: A collage...

I liked the idea of all of the myths, superstition and witch craft that surrounds the mythology of a black cat. I selected words out of the newspaper that emphasise this. What I liked the most here is that the white of the newspaper contrasts the jet black of the real cat. To add the regal element of the cat, I used emeralds for his eyes. Exaggerated ears decorated with a floral, royal print. Exaggerated whiskers. 

Step 3: A drawing...

I used mixed media to create this drawing, coloured pencils, pastel, ink and poster paint. I had no set plan, just the inspiration of my first observation sketch and my collage. I let my imagination steer the rest....

From the college, I took the extended ears, the emerald green eyes and I used the floral idea to place my cat in a flower pot, growing roses from his extended whiskers. 

The moon and the stars were added as a nod to the superstition that surrounds the black cat...

Reflection...

This exercise felt like complete freedom! The final result was 100% imagination led and I loved it. I can only imagine this must be how writers such as Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett work, they must let their minds of the lead and run with their imagination to create the magical and original tales that they do. 

I like my final drawing, because it is  quirky and crazy. I had no vision of it finishing up like this, I had no idea how it was going to finish all. Inspiring!