The Swell Before the Crest
A broad black ocean swell climbs toward the right edge beneath an empty blue-grey sky, rendered as a simple handmade silhouette.
Small 640×640, Medium 1200×1200
Finished editorial illustration, square 1:1. A single continuous cut-black-paper silhouette of an ocean swell fills the bottom of the frame. Its upper contour starts low at the left, dips gently, then climbs into an exaggerated, broad rounded ridge near the right edge. Smooth unbroken water, no curling breaker or foam. The immense lopsided shoulder feels playfully oversized yet quietly threatening. Flat pale blue-grey sky occupies most of the upper and left frame, providing generous breathing room. Combine the solid black paper shape with slightly irregular, hand-drawn marker edges and only a trace of broad marker texture within the black. Bold silhouette, minimal palette, no gradients, no intricate detail, legible at thumbnail size. One ocean scene, no people, boats, buildings or decorative symbols. No text, logos or watermarks.
