Xmas 2025

My latest work, *Xmas 2025*, is a colored pencil drawing that brings together two children—Thomas, a joyful baby on the left, and James, an older child with curly hair and a gentle smile on the right. Above them, a lively, cartoon-style Santa Claus holds gifts, adding warmth and festivity to the scene. The phrase “Merry Xmas 2025” is scripted elegantly in red near the top center, framing the composition with a seasonal greeting. 
In this piece, I focused on capturing a blend of youthful innocence and holiday cheer. The soft shading in the drawing gives the children’s faces a lifelike texture, emphasizing their expressions without overwhelming detail. Thomas’s bald head and joyful demeanor contrast nicely with James’s curly hair and calm presence, creating a balanced yet dynamic portrait of childhood at different stages.

The festive elements above anchor the image in a specific moment, inviting the viewer to share in the anticipation and joy of the season. Throughout the process, I worked carefully to maintain a natural feel, letting the colored pencils’ subtle gradations convey softness and immediacy. Bringing a cartoonish Santa into the scene allowed a lighthearted touch without detracting from the sincerity of the children’s portraits.

*Xmas 2025* emerged from a desire to explore how family life and celebration intersect visually, placing emphasis on genuine expressions amid familiar holiday imagery. The process of creating this artwork was distinct in balancing detailed portraiture with a playful, slightly idealized seasonal motif—an approach that allowed me to engage with both realism and imagination in a unified way.

With this drawing, I hope to offer a moment of warmth and connection that resonates beyond the holiday itself—an image that honors childhood joy, familial bonds, and the hopeful spirit we associate with this time of year.