Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone: Painting Murals and Large Formats.

As a self-taught illustrator, I’ve spent countless days working at my desk, accompanied by a warm cup of coffee, my cat curled up nearby, and good music playing in the background. The thought of painting a large-format illustration has always filled me with a bit of anxiety. Leaving my cozy, warm comfort zone is never easy, but when an opportunity arises, I’ve learned to jump into the unknown, trusting that something good will come out of it.

That’s exactly what happened in November 2024 when my good friends at Rotondes contacted me. They invited me to paint a 2m x 2m mural for their event called "Moolt Ons Een," which translates from Luxembourgish to English as "Draw Me Something." The theme was based on construction and aimed at children and families.

There was a catch, though: I had only 4 hours to paint it, the day before the event. That made it even more challenging. But I gathered my courage, packed my favorite acrylic paints, Posca markers, colored pencils, and put together a great playlist.

When I stood in front of the huge blank canvas, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves. But once I started sketching on that giant surface, I realized how incredibly fun and satisfying it was!

After a few intense hours of sketching, painting, and adding details, I successfully finished the mural.

The next day, I attended the event and saw something that made all the effort worth it: kids smiling excitedly at the drawings, and families taking photos in front of the mural. That moment made me realize that stepping out of my cozy comfort zone is so worth it.

So, to anyone feeling hesitant about trying something new or tackling a big project: Go for it! You might be surprised by what you can achieve and the joy it can bring to others.