Pisa

“Pisa” is a personal illustration project that grew out of my desire to explore repetition within a planned framework. The character represents my journey of breaking boundaries and pushing my creative limits in illustration. This project was especially significant because it gave me the freedom to experiment with unique stroke, which led me to to paint the character using those strokes and apply an airbrush effect.

What started out as a playful sketch named after the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy turned into a spontaneous exploration of shapes and forms. As I continued to sketch, the character evolved, taking on a life of its own.

Development and Process

Sketching & Initial Inspiration:
- The first sketches were influenced by the Leaning Tower of Pisa, leading to creation of character that would eventually take on a unique personality and story. The idea of a starfish shape began to emerge, and Pisa’s from took shape naturally, reflecting a sense of organic growth.
Illustration & Painting:
- Moving from sketches to digital work, I illustrated the front and back covers of Pisa’s story in a notebook. I then transitioned into painting directly, experimenting with patterns in an unrestrained manner, allowing for both planned and spontaneous designs to emerge.
Canvas Series:
- The next step in Pisa’s journey was the creation of a series of six 12x12” canvas paintings, each representing different aspects of Pisa’s story. The series of tells a tale of family, growth, sadness, love, coffee obsession, and shrimp - a nod to both my passion for fashion and my love for shrimp as favorite food. Pisa, a red-coloured character, became a symbol of these emotions and experiences.

Pattern Creation:
- To push my creative boundaries, I challenged myself to create a larger, unplanned pattern that incorporated Jellyfish, bananas, shrimp, and even Pisa as a car. The chaotic yet free-form nature of Pisa allowed me to blend these diverse elements seamlessly. I chose blue, yellow, and red which unknowingly invoked a retro vibe.
Tools & Techniques
- This design was created using a combination of pencil sketches, scanning, and digital manipulation in Adobe Illustrator. The process allowed me to experiment with textures and layering to achieve the final design.
Printing & Application
- Once the design was complete, I took it to Spoonflower for printing on fabric. The printed design was then sewn into a tote bag. I also created mockups to showcase how this design could be applied to various products such as a headphone or a pillow.

Materials & Medium

Pencil sketches
Scanner
Adobe illustrator
Spoonflower for fabric printing
Tote Bag

What Pisa represents

Pisa is a testament to the power of exploration and breaking free from creative boundaries. This project taught me to embrace spontaneity and trust the process of discovery.