On the coattails of posting Ninja Nate, I was asked by a friend to draw her daughter, as a Disney cartoon character, for her upcoming birthday. I whole-heartily agreed!
My first step was to sketch an idea to show Kristine. Fiona loves Disney’s Beauty And The Beast, so I immersed myself into that world, again. Do you remember this movie? The fact that a three year old’s favorite cartoon is the same Disney flick that I watched decades before, is pretty neat. I imagined Belle as a young princess living in the Chateau De Chambord and her little doll companion is Beast.
My friend was excited for the idea along with the sketch, so the first step was approved. The next step was then the line art. I wanted to stay within the Disney-style approach of simpler, even-weighted lines. Kristine gave a big fat check mark to this and I was onto the next step; applying color.
Similar to the line art, I stayed with the Disney-esque approach of two-dimensional colors and shading but noticed that Belle in the movie had lovely blushed cheeks. Perfect, I thought, and then applied the same cheeks to Fiona, as well as, her own hair and eye color. Once Belle and Beast were complete, I went on to create the backround. I researched the movie stills and found a spot, in Beast’s Castle, that would do nicely — the top of the stairs by Belle’s room. I recreated the curtained hallway and put Belle and little Beast into position.
Fiona’s third birthday was the day of the big art piece reveal. I got to see first hand the little princess’s reaction. Fiona’s eyes locked onto the picture and she wouldn’t stop staring.
She finally proclaimed with her princess voice, “I like this.” Fiona then placed a hand on the picture. I know people say to not touch artwork, but I didn’t mind one bit!
This is part of the experience. To be able to use all 5 senses with your imagination and get lost in the piece. Witnessing all of these moments really moved me.
And when it came time for her to sit with me and take a picture, she wouldn’t turn the frame around. Fiona continued to sit and stare.
I loved that! I loved the fact that I helped this little girl live out her dream of being Belle. Every time she will look at this picture in her room, Fiona will be reminded of herself as Belle with Beast by her side in a majestic hillside castle (cue in the fairy dust).
I can’t wait to provide many more of these moments to people (young and old) with my art.