This International Women's Day, AFC Ambassador, Lily, embarked on a process of creating a piece of artwork titled 'Resilient Bloom' inspired by nature. Read the blog below to learn more about her inspiration and the process behind the artwork.
The Inspiration
The inspiration behind my piece comes from the rose itself—a symbol of beauty, resilience, and growth. I wanted to capture the delicate yet strong nature of the flower, which for me reflects both the power of nature and the spirit of International Women’s Day.
Roses, like women, are often seen as symbols of grace and elegance, but they also have thorns—representing strength, protection, and the ability to overcome challenges. This connection made me feel that a rose was the perfect subject for this artwork.
By using different textures, from pastels to charcoal and wallpaper scraps, I aimed to show layers of depth—much like the layers of a person’s identity, experiences, and strength. The contrast between light and dark in my shading represents both struggle and resilience, mirroring the journey many women face in fighting for equality and recognition.
Nature itself is a constant source of inspiration, reminding us of the importance of growth, adaptability, and perseverance. Just as flowers bloom despite obstacles, women continue to rise and create change in the world.
The Process
For my artwork, I chose to draw a rose. I started by sketching the outline of the rose in pencil, carefully shaping the petals to capture its natural form. Once the sketch was complete, I began adding colour using pastels and coloured pencils in various shades of pink to create depth and vibrancy.
As I worked, I felt that something was missing, so I used black charcoal to add dimension, enhancing the shadows and giving the petals a more realistic appearance. Looking for a way to make my piece more unique, I remembered some old wallpaper scraps from my GCSE Art project. I carefully cut out pieces that matched certain petals and layered them onto my drawing, creating an interesting mixed-media effect.
After adding enough collage elements, I refined the details by going back in with black charcoal to deepen the shadows. Finally, I used a white fine liner pen to highlight certain areas, bringing contrast and a finishing touch to the piece.
Thanks for reading my blog!
Lily, AFC Ambassador
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