Hannahmation

Before and after: rough draft and final copy of a fancy dress study, Nov. 2025.

drawings & illustrations

Call me a little old-fashioned: all of my drawings are sketched, inked, and colored in by hand. Digital effects are relegated to removing backgrounds or (in the case of comic panels) adding text for easier readability.

Since 2019, I’ve adopted a multi-step process to creating my drawings. First, an idea is sketched out in blue drafter’s pencil on drafting vellum, then defined with a graphite pencil layer. Final sketches are then inked onto a fresh piece of paper with the aid of a light box. Depending on the intended final look, I’ll use India ink for black-and-white drawings and walnut ink and Copic markers for colored drawings.

A rough sketch depicting a character with spiky hair crouching on a ledge, excitedly showing a surprised expression while gesturing with their hands. The text above them reads 'SEE??? LOOK AT THOSE REFLEXES!!' with additional notes on the side about panel layout.
Rough draft of comic panel 13-12.
A cartoon drawing of a young man perched on a stone wall, looking pleased and surprised. He has tousled hair and is resting one hand on his chin, with a speech bubble saying, 'SEEEEE?? LOOK AT THOSE REFLEXES!'
Panel 13-12 after being inked onto a new sheet of paper.
A cartoon character crouches on a stone wall with a playful expression, excitedly saying, 'SEEEE?? LOOK AT THOSE REFLEXES!'
Panel 13-12 after the addition of new text and background removal.

Many of my drawings focus on character studies or historic dress studies. Here, I’ve selected pieces from my sketchbook which best represent the style, detail, and mood I aim to capture with my work. It also doubles as a living testimony to how my style has developed over the past decade.

2025 – 2026

A young man in a vintage outfit, wearing a green vest, white shirt, striped trousers, and a tie, standing casually with a slight smile.
Interpretation of 2025.1722 & 2025.1724 (#51 of 54), April 2026
A young woman stands gracefully in a vintage pink flapper dress, adorned with intricate designs. She wears a matching pink cloche hat and white accessories, reflecting 1920s fashion.
Interpretation of WM.2024.143 (#20 54), April 2026
A woman wearing a vintage pink dress with lace detailing and puffed sleeves, standing gracefully.
Interpretation of uncatalogued ballgown (#14 of 54), April 2026
A cheerful person with short curly blonde hair, wearing a black dress with a decorative floral design on the collar and a draped vest, standing and gesturing with one hand.
Interpretation of WM.2022.751 (#13 of 54), April 2026
Three women in vintage clothing standing together, smiling and interacting. The first woman on the left wears a burgundy jacket with a high collar and a pleated skirt. The middle woman has curly hair, a blue bow tie, and a dark coat with trousers. The woman on the right is dressed in a soft pink dress with fur details and holds an umbrella.
“Helen, Ivy, and Alice”, Jan. 2026
Three women in vintage clothing conversing happily. The woman on the left wears a purple dress with floral patterns, the one in the middle is in a blue dress with white details, and the woman on the right wears a pink skirt with a black top and a wide hat.
“Helen, Ivy, and Alice, Fancy Dress”, Jan. 2026.
A colorful illustration of four individuals posing together for a cabinet card photograph, featuring various hairstyles and outfits. Two people are smiling while one points at the camera.
“Posed for the Cabinet Card”, Dec. 2025 (1/2)
A group of four friends smiling and interacting happily, each with curly hair and varied outfits including a blue blouse, plaid shirt, and a red vest, set against a soft gray background.
“Immediately Afterward”, Dec. 2025 (2/2)
Illustration of three women dressed in vintage, fancy outfits, striking playful poses.
“Fancy Dress Study”, Nov. 2025.
A black and white comic panel depicting two characters sitting on a rock, overlooking a hilly landscape, one character is speaking with a dialogue bubble asking about recalling past events.
Landscape shot, Chapter 14 of Haunted, Aug. 2025
Illustration showing two figures walking, one wearing traditional clothing and holding a bag, the other wearing a hat and holding a staff. The background features handwritten text discussing historical clothing and its practical use.
Detail, Chapter 13 of Haunted, Summer 2025
Illustration of several women in historical dresses, discussing the value of past fashion styles, with a text box highlighting thoughts on women's clothing in museums and their aesthetic appeal.
Detail, Chapter 13 of Haunted, Summer 2025.
A cheerful young woman wearing a blue and white striped dress with floral accents, holding a cane and wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat with a blue ribbon.
“Dress Study”, Walnut ink and Copic marker, July 2025.
A young man with brown hair and a red and white hoodie stands smiling, while a young woman with short blonde hair and glasses stands back-to-back with him, wearing a black coat and blue jeans.
“Luke and Carey”, Jan. 2025.
Four animated characters running together, looking scared, with one character pointing ahead. The characters are dressed in various styles, including a suit and camera, and they appear to be in a setting that suggests urgency or adventure.
“What Are They Running From?”, Jan. 2025 edition.

2023 – 2024

A character in a vintage pink dress with intricate black designs, sitting elegantly. She has dark hair styled with a floral headpiece, and the background is minimal.
Dress study, walnut ink and Copic marker, 2024.
Illustration of a person standing on a rock overlooking a lake with a view of trees and distant buildings, titled 'The View from the Rock, Belvedere Castle'.
“The View from the Rock, Belvedere Castle”, walnut ink and Copic marker, Sept. 2024.
An artistic illustration featuring three diverse female faces surrounded by flowers and foliage, each displaying distinct hairstyles and expressions.
Helen, Ivy, and Alice, walnut ink and Copic marker, July 2024.
An illustration of three women in vintage clothing, standing back-to-back. The central figure is dressed in a pink gown with an umbrella, while the other two wear hats and casual attire, one holding a piece of paper and the other a bicycle.
Main characters, walnut ink and Copic marker, July 2024.
A black and white sketch of two characters; one appearing serious and the other smiling and waving, with a circular background.
Carey and Luke from Haunted Chapter 11, India ink, Summer 2024.
A young man playing guitar on a porch while a girl watches him from the stairs, with a sleeping dog nearby.
“How Did You Know It Was Me?” walnut ink and Copic marker, May 2024.
Black and white illustration of two stylized characters with curly hair, one facing forward and the other slightly angled, both wearing dark clothing, against a textured black background.
Carey and Luke, India ink, March 2024.
Illustration of a woman in a mid-19th century dress with a checkered pattern, featuring puffed sleeves and a cinched waist. The dress has a flowing skirt and is accessorized with a necklace. The image is labeled with a date reference, suggesting it depicts attire from around 1855.
Dress Study, WM.2022.755, walnut ink and Copic marker, Jan. 2024.
Four women sitting on a rocky ledge looking out at the sea, with a colorful sunrise sky in the background. They are dressed in vintage clothing, and one woman is holding an umbrella.
“Sunrise on the Banks of the East River”, walnut ink and Copic marker, Jan. 2024.
Two women dressed in 19th-century attire engage in conversation on a winter day. One woman wears a pink and brown outfit with a hat and holds an umbrella, while the other is in a burgundy top and long skirt.
“I thought You Wouldn’t Show”, walnut ink and Copic marker, Dec. 2023
Illustration of the Vreeland siblings in period clothing, gathered around a chair with a cat, depicting a playful and engaging scene.
“The Vreeland Siblings, 2023”, walnut ink and Copic marker, Dec. 2023.
A line drawing featuring various decorative objects including a patterned lamp, ceramic vases, and a fan, with a young woman admiring the items.
Detail from Haunted Chapter 10, India ink, summer 2023.
Illustration of four siblings, with three males and one female. The group stands close together, smiling, with a colorful background. Each sibling has distinct features and hairstyles, showcasing their personalities.
“The Kipps Siblings”, India ink and Copic marker, Summer 2023.
An illustration of two characters with contrasting hair colors, one with white hair and the other with reddish-brown hair, dressed in flowing garments. They are positioned against a purple, starry background with a note mentioning the background technique used.
Drapery Study, walnut ink, Copic marker, and isopropyl alcohol, early 2023.

2021 – 2022

Black and white illustration of two characters in a circular frame, one with light hair and a serious expression, the other with dark curly hair and a smiling expression.
Detail, Haunted Chapter 6, India ink, August 2022.
A sequence of cartoonish characters playing with balloons, showing one character joyfully lifting off the ground while others run and play in the background. A child excitedly receives a balloon from an adult character with a speech bubble saying 'HERE YOU GO.'
Detail, Haunted Chapter 4, India ink, Spring 2022.
A stylized illustration of a woman dressed in a blue and white striped dress with floral patterns, wearing a large straw hat adorned with flowers, and holding a rifle.
Dress study, India ink and watercolor pencil, June 2022.
A young rider on a rearing black horse, holding a stick and looking determined against a colorful, abstract background.
“Danny on Horseback”, India ink and watercolor pencil, Feb. 2022.
An illustration showing a woman in a detailed dress adjusting her long hair while a young child inspects the hem of her skirt.
“Some of the galloon sagged awkwardly where it met the skirt”, India ink, March 2022.
A couple walking closely together under an umbrella in a rainstorm, with raindrops illustrated around them.
“A shield against the ice pelting us from on high”, March 2022.
Illustration of four portrait-style women from the late 19th to early 20th century, each wearing distinctive vintage clothing and hairstyles.
Main characters, India ink, May 2021.
An illustration depicting a group of historical figures in military and elegant attire, gathered closely together. The central figure, a young boy in a military uniform with a red hat, looks contemplative. Surrounding him are several other individuals with varying expressions, suggesting an emotional or intense conversation.
“Heavy is the Crown”, India ink and colored pencil. 2021.
Illustration of two young men standing back to back, with serious expressions. One man has dark hair and is wearing a sweater and coat, while the other has lighter hair and is dressed in a darker coat. They are framed by a circular design.
Luke and Carey, India ink, early 2021.

2019 – 2020

Two young men in work aprons sitting together at a table, engaged in an animated conversation over a game. They are in a shop setting with a sign in the background that says 'Cigars 10 each'.
“Downtime at the Shop”, Micron fine-liner and colored pencil, 2020.
A group of individuals gathered around a small fire in a dark setting, with expressions of warmth and focus as they engage with the flames.
“Prayer Before Battle”, Micron fine-liner and colored pencil, late 2019.
A woman in period clothing knocking on a large wooden door, with decorative elements and a lantern above, surrounded by columns and autumn leaves.
“At the Greenes,” Micron fine-liner and colored pencil, 2019.