Digital Charcoal Illustration, 2026
Artemis ii
“The Artemis II mission—NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years—is a key step toward a long‑term return to the Moon and future crewed missions to Mars.”
We love the moon! and NASA!This project was created for my dad. A sci-fi, space-loving, good dad who used to take out his telescope and we’d look at the sky together.
The photos from Artemis II came out a few weeks before his birthday, and — as most broke artist children do — I texted him: “is there a pic from Artemis I can draw for you for you bday?”
He said yes, and sent this back this photo from NASA less than 2 minutes later.
To be honest,
I was expecting to draw the ship, but I was delighted with the challenge to draw something similar to the first Earth Rise photo from Nasa on the Apollo 8 Mission in 1968, but taken in 2026!
So, I got to work.
And… slightly underestimated how challenging this would be to draw.
I got to this point ➜
And went… the moon somehow looks too textured and too smooth at the same time.
So. I stared at the reference. Then, I stared at my drawing. And then, I stared at the reference again.
AND THEN! I turned off my ipad and went to bed.
I couldn’t give up, my dad knew I was doing this! and his birthday was in MAX 3 days.
So, what did I change after resting my lying, tired, artist eyes?
Maybe you can already guess from this same drawing below, same day, mere hours later.
CONTRAST, ALEX! Let’s all yell it together, so you can tell me CONTRAST, ALEX! the next time I do this too.
This is what I woke up to ➜
My expansive, inky black, space nothingness was… ashy.
The first step I took: I blasted that black value. If it was a crayon, it would be a nub.
After I added that value, suddenly, the moon had depth, and I could continue making progress.
The finished product came soon after.
(and a day early!)
This piece is full of layers, craters, shadows, sheer colors;
And yet, somehow— captures us all?
Thanks, for the group pic, Nasa <3 it was lovely to draw, and I learned so much.
Artemis ii is in my shop!
A distant Earth rises beyond the lunar surface in this illustration inspired by NASA’s Artemis II mission.
.𖥔 ݁ ˖🛸── .✦
Printed in multiple sizes. Available as a collectible Explorer Print or as larger archival-quality Fine Art Prints.
Perfect for lovers of space, sci-fi, astronomy, and quiet little existential moments.
.𖥔 ݁ ˖🛸── .✦
Fine Art Prints are printed on archival-quality matte paper
Explorer Prints are double-sided collectible prints produced on premium matte paper.
Ships flat or carefully packaged
Designed and illustrated by Alex Danielson
Colors may vary slightly between screen and print
Mini Print! ♡