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During my time at Urban, I’ve grown to love San Francisco. For the Winter Art Show, I wanted to capture its beauty. I sorted through countless photos and chose a quick snapshot of Dolores Park on my way to school. Two strangers sitting together became the focal point. By painting an ordinary moment rather than a dramatic scene, I hoped to reflect the city’s character.

I drew inspiration from Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters like Monet, Sorolla, and Sargent, who used rich colors and expressive brushstrokes. Though I referenced my photo, I painted with feeling, adjusting the composition for atmosphere. I softened the background to reflect San Francisco’s white skyline and used varied brushstrokes and thick paint to texture the grass. In the shadows, I blended blues, purples, and grays to add depth.

This project was a shift from my usual small-scale pen drawings. Working on a larger canvas forced me to step back and focus on values and colors rather than fine details.