Drawing myself outside the grid

Research by Sam Vanbellegeneral portfolio, email

I’m working on a one year academic artistic research project at SLARG, Sint Lucas Antwerpen School of Arts. Through experiments with visual essays, I explore ways of drawing myself beyond grids and gender binaries. The stories grow from my large archive of tiny tiny sketchbooks, a safe space where I draw about gender, transitioning, parenthood and everyday life. My aim is to create a small gesture of quiet, visual activism in a world where space for gender variation can feel narrow.




Ink 1A3December 25



Ink 01

Non linear panels and drawings with ink.

Ink O2A2December 25



Ink O2

Non linear panels and drawings with ink.

Chapter 01B5November 2025




Chapter 01
Site of Reversible Destiny

Drawings of my first small chapter: Site of Reversible Destiny. 

As this project unfolds, I choose to keep the traces of my searching visible. Each page carries both the hesitation and the discovery that come with drawing as exploration. 



Pencil 01A3December 2024



Pencil 01

Non linear panels and drawings with pencil



    Pencil 02A3December 2024



    Pencil 02

    Experiments with pencil, drawing & erasing.


    I’m always happy to talk about research, queer and/or trans comics, and narratives. If you’d like to connect, feel free to reach out: hello@samvanbelle.com