![iej44x06ou.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://img.esteem.ws/iej44x06ou.jpg)
Hello Steemians, Here's my entry for [@blocktrades](https://steemit.com/@blocktrades) contest, My 2019; The Last 2019 Showcase Weekend. I got know about this from [@anomadsoul](https://steemit.com/@anomadsoul) post on the contest.

I'm an artist and quite alot of articles and blogs are almost  entirely on art (paintings, drawings and art history). When I joined steemit, I focused only on making drawings and also sharing some information about the subjects in my drawings. Before joining this commuinity, I only made portraits once in a while when they are needed as commissions. But ever since I joined steemit, I draw almost every day. Most of these draws were made exclusively to be posted on steemit and nowhere else. I had this urge to improve myself as an artist as I now had a wider audience than just folks from my neighborhood and WhatsApp contacts.

Joining steemit has improved my writing, vocabulary, creativity, art skill tremendously. This is how. I currently spend quite a lot of time daily on Steemit reading posts, viewing and learning from other artists around the world and lastly, by getting familiar with users from other countries and continents with a better understanding of things I knew a little about.

Now to my Top 3 works of 2019.
I'm starting from my last Steemit exclusive major drawing of 2019 " Portrait of Pablo Picasso".

# Portrait of Pablo Picasso

![mprt184maz.png](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://img.esteem.ws/mprt184maz.png)

This my best and last major drawing this year. It is my last because I ran out of charcoal pencils and won't be able purchase till next year.
This portrait is my most loved and personal best drawing this year. The drawing was made as my tribute and respect for the great painter, Pablo Picasso. I did some research about him and found out there was more to him than his paintings. He is an inspiration to hundreds of thousands of artists and I really admire him. The drawing was made using charcoal medium. I paid great attention to the details on his face and focused on getting an epic resemblance to the subject. I was mind blown at the end of the drawing. The areas that gave me challenges during the course of this drawing are his wrinkled skin below eyes and his hair. They looked pretty nice after alot of erasing and adjustments.

Here is the link to my post on how I made this drawing;
[https://esteem.app/art/@firefly2020/firefly-face-16-charcoal-drawing-of-pablo-picasso-technique-materials-and-tips](https://esteem.app/art/@firefly2020/firefly-face-16-charcoal-drawing-of-pablo-picasso-technique-materials-and-tips)

# PORTRAIT OF THE NIGHT KING

![a2mh9xhjha.png](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://img.esteem.ws/a2mh9xhjha.png)

My second best work for the year is the drawing of the Night King character from the TV series (Game of Thrones). I made this drawing because this character was one of the major characters in the series. He was furious, powerful, dangerous, cruel and a thousand times more deadlier than any of the dead he had risen. Even though he's all of these terrifying things, he's also one of my favorite characters in the series. I was really drawn to his unique facial structure, expression and also the death and horror in his face. This drawing was made in about 10 hours using charcoal medium and color pencils. The areas where i had challenges during the course of the drawing where his face, neck and head for obvious reasons. I really tried to be patient and the results were great from my point of view.
Here's the link to the post on how it was drawn on steemit;
[https://esteem.app/oc/@firefly2020/firefly-face-7-my-drawing-of-the-night-king-technique-materials-and-tips](https://esteem.app/oc/@firefly2020/firefly-face-7-my-drawing-of-the-night-king-technique-materials-and-tips)

# PORTRAIT OF MARILYN MONROE

![ejkxsxeywu.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://img.esteem.ws/ejkxsxeywu.jpg)

My third best work is the drawing of Marilyn Monroe. This portrait means alot to me and is the only steem exclusive drawing I made that I was sold the next day. I made this drawing out the fact that Marilyn Monroe is renowned figure of beauty and sexuality. I read about her life and was facscinated with the level of success she had in her lifetime amidst all the dramas. This drawing was made using charcoal. The area where I had a challenge during the course of the drawing were the drawing of her earrings and hair. But I'm glad I tried my best and had good results.
Here's the link to the post on how it was drawn on steemit;
[https://esteem.app/art/@firefly2020/firefly-face-6-drawing-of-marilyn-monroe-technique-materials-and-tips](https://esteem.app/art/@firefly2020/firefly-face-6-drawing-of-marilyn-monroe-technique-materials-and-tips)

I feel a personal connection with the subjects of my drawings. One could say it is as a result of hours of looking at them on my phone and bringing their face to life on my paper but there's more to it as I always do a little study of my subjects outside my sketch pad and share what I know about them with the community.
All my drawings were posted online for the first time via Steemit. Honestly I'm really thankful to be a part of a community like this. Steemit has helped me in so many ways.
I'd like to thank [@blocktrades](https://steemit.com/@blocktrades) and [@anomadsoul](https://steemit.com/@anomadsoul) for organizing this contest and also trying to bring out the best in us. The year 2020, is going to be a really great year for us all, I sense that. I wish everyone a Happy New Year in advance and a blissful celebration.
Thank you for reading. Have a nice day.