The personality
Unlike many other big cats, the cheetah is remarkably vulnerable and fragile, with its population steadily declining. Despite their strength and speed, cheetahs are gentle and social animals. Some even describe them as a link between big cats and small cats — sharing traits of both.
Inspiration
Way back in my childhood, when I was about four, my sister received her school supplies. Since I was already fascinated by colors and pencils, my parents decided to get me some art materials too — a small set of watercolors and a pad of school art paper called “Blok 3”, if I remember correctly.
At that time, “art supplies” for school were hardly what you’d call real art materials — the Blok 3 was just plain sketch paper. But that didn’t stop me from enjoying it.
My very first art attempt was with those watercolors on that paper. I simply wanted to see how they worked — how rich the pigments were. Honestly, that’s still what matters most to me even today: vibrant, intense colors.
In my eyes (even now), the “artwork” was a complete failure — I mean, it was watercolor after all. But to my father and sister, it was something beautiful. They said they could see the shapes of a cheetah chasing a gazelle — which, to be honest, wasn’t my intention at all. I hadn’t even noticed those shapes until they pointed them out. I was just trying to paint a simple landscape, nothing more.
This drawing is a tribute to that special moment.
Idea
At this stage of my “getting back to art” phase, I was still refining my detailing skills — focusing especially on improving my use of negative drawing to make the lighter areas stand out more. I didn’t mind that the overall piece might look a bit flat; for me, the details were far more important.
This artwork was also an experiment in shifting focus away from the center. We naturally tend to seek symmetry — it’s how our brains are wired. When we observe one half of something, we instinctively reconstruct the other half, allowing us to recognize shapes and faces more quickly. That’s why we often find symmetrical faces and compositions appealing.
But I believe that asymmetry can be even more intriguing, beautiful, and challenging — it invites the viewer to explore rather than simply recognize.
Technique
This artwork was created using Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencils (5-piece set) on Fabriano Sketch 90gsm paper — a simple, easily available set of supplies that’s great for practice. The 8B pencil in particular contains a bit of charcoal, which gives the darkest tones exceptional depth and richness.
Personal Stance
I don’t recall ever seeing a real cheetah in person — I’m sure I would remember if I had. Yet something about these animals fascinates me deeply. Maybe it’s their speed, their uniqueness, or their vulnerability — I’m not entirely sure. What I do know is that I care about them so much that I’d rather not see one in captivity. Even at the zoo, it wouldn’t feel right.