Surreal Illustrations Capturing Your Dreams and Inner Landscapes
I draw the things I can't quite say out loud. This series is my way of balancing the daily grind with the vivid worlds that exist in my head.
In this surreal illustration, a person's head is replaced by a bright yellow balloon, symbolizing a mind filled with light and fleeting thoughts. It's about finding joy in the small, in-between moments of life, even when the world around is just black and white.
This piece is about finding calm in the middle of chaos. A woman sips her tea peacefully while the world around her is in flux, with objects floating and a river flowing through her room. It’s a surreal take on maintaining inner peace.
A surreal landscape where a girl and her dog float on a magic carpet, observing others walk through a dream-like world. This illustration is about giving yourself the freedom to explore beyond your current reality and to let go of what holds you back.
This illustration captures a moment of quiet contemplation in a monochrome room, illuminated by a warm, golden light from the window. It speaks to the silent, unspoken things we feel, creating a space between reality and dream.
Sometimes daydreams feel more real than reality. This surreal portrait shows a pensive figure with a river of blue flowing from her mind, surrounded by watchful eyes and a buzzing bee, representing the vividness of our inner world.
A close-up detail from my 'Secret Door' illustration. This shot focuses on the character reaching for the bookshelf, highlighting the hopeful expression and the desire to escape into another world.
A detailed view of the 'Secret Door' piece, focusing on the character's stance and the river of imagination flowing at her feet. The mix of pen-style shading and the solid orange color creates a strong visual contrast.
A close-up of the window from the 'Secret Door' illustration. This detail shows the vibrant, colorful mountain landscape that represents the world of imagination, contrasting with the monochrome reality of the room.
About Between Reality and a Dream
I create these using Procreate, often starting with a stark, pen-and-ink monochrome base before I decide where the light or the 'dream' needs to break through with color. It is a slow, meditative process; I never rush the lines because, for this series, the slight imperfections in the sketch are exactly what make it feel like a real memory instead of a sterile graphic.
When I sit down to draw, I am usually trying to freeze a thought that is slipping away—like the way a bookshelf can feel like a doorway, or how a simple cup of tea can ground us when everything else is floating. This 'Between Reality and a Dream' series isn't about perfectly clean lines. It is about the tension between the black and white reality we live in and the sudden, vibrant colors that hit us when we daydream.
I layer these textures, mixing that scratchy, pen-art feel with smooth digital washes. Whether it is the 'balloon head' piece representing fleeting thoughts or the 'secret door' illustration capturing the escape into literature, these are visual diary entries. They are small reminders that we don't have to be perfectly grounded all the time.
If you have a story, a memory, or a surreal dream of your own that you want to see illustrated, I offer custom digital art services. We can collaborate to turn your vague 'what if' into a concrete piece of art. Whether you need a portrait that feels like a painting or a custom illustration based on your favorite poem, I work closely with you on the composition and color palette. Since every piece is handmade, expect a 7 to 14 day turnaround to get it just right.
Malvika
Hi, I'm Malvika. I spend my days somewhere between the old movies I rewatch and the quiet mountain mornings I miss. My art is just me trying to hold onto those fleeting feelings, and I would love to help you capture your own stories, too.
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