Thank you to all of the creative minds who have recreated favourite characters and scenes from the first Harry Potter adventure. Pretend you're walking down a Hogwarts corridor, adorned with portraits, and enjoy this fan art gallery featuring some fantastic artistic interpretations! Also, learn why each artist picked the moment they did. Maybe it will inspire you too.
First up...
Cassandra J (aka @knittingfornimbus) from the US
Cassandra has created this adorable knitted moment of Harry's first Quidditch match.
What inspired you to create this artwork?
I wanted to knit a cowl for my poodle, Nimbus, that would feature the Nimbus 2000 and other things I loved from Harry Potter. I was also inspired by an amazing collection of yarn from the indie dyer, Treehouse Knits, who handdyed all of the yarns used in the cowl.
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
"I saw it in the theaters with my friends! It was one of the first movies I saw without my parents, if not the first. Amazing memories! It’ll always be just as magical as the first time I saw it."
Cassie G (aka @cassiegillespie) from Ireland
Cassie has used herself as the canvas for her 20th anniversary celebration - focusing on the journey a Hogwarts student must go on - from receiving their Hogwarts letter, to boarding the Hogwarts Express, to the eventual arrival at the school.
What inspired you to create this artwork?
I was inspired to create this artwork by the magical imagery that I saw in the movie and the books. There were some of the moments that stood out to me the most and really made me feel I was there in the magic.
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
Yes, I do remember the first time I watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. My Godmother brought both my older brother and I to the cinema to see the movie and I remember being so excited after reading the book. I really fell in love with everything the movie brought to life; the scenes, the characters, the magic. Since then, I've watched it more times than I can count.
Catherine J (aka @catherinejackmanart) from the UK
Catherine has chosen the moment where Harry meets the mysterious Mr Ollivander for her piece in this heartwarming style. There's no mistaking the look of consternation on Harry's face when he finds the perfect wand for him.
What inspired you to create this artwork?
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has always held a special place in my heart, and so has John Hurt. This scene in the film was always the most magical for me and brings back warm memories, I wanted to capture the wonder of this moment within this fan art.
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
The very first time I watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was at the cinema with my grandmother and uncle. It brings back really happy family memories for me.I loved every second of the film and it has always remained a favourite of mine.
Catherine W (aka @catherinewolfcreates) from the US
Catherine has created a very smiley version of the Hogwarts Sorting Hat out of clay, perfectly achieving the hat's crumpled look.
What inspired you to create this artwork?
If I had to pick one, the Sorting Hat is one of my favorite parts from the movie.
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone?
Yes! I was in the long line to see the movie when it first released! Fun times!
Cynthia B (aka @borolina_ilustra) from Mexico
For Cynthia, she has gone back right to the start, with a young Harry in his cupboard under the stairs at Privet Drive. This retro, cartoonish style is a very fresh take on the start of Harry's story.
What inspited you to create this artwork?
I absolutely love all Harry Potter books and the movies. When I first saw the movies I felt like I identified with Hermione, since I am a nerd myself. So whenever I have the opportunity, I like to draw scenes from this magical story, its wonderful characters and make them come to life again.
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone?
Yes I do! When I got out of the movie theatre, I was in awe. I felt like everything I had read in the Harry Potter books was real and I couldn't believe it. Magic was real! And of course I was in love with all the characters. It was a wonderful experience.
Ekaterina B (aka @bulankinaka) from Russia
Ekaterina has perfectly immortalised the moment where the Dursleys realised they really couldn't escape from magic... when Hagrid gifts Dudley with a pig tail!
What inspired you to create this artwork?
This artwork was created through participation of the #potterweekprompts hashtag. This time, our theme was transformation. I didn’t want to draw something like a werewolf or Transfiguration class with Professor McGonagall - and then I remembered this funny scene.
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
Actually no, I was so young. Moreover, I have a tradition to rewatch all Harry Potter movies every year when New Year is coming, so my impressions are blurred a little bit.
Katrina K (aka @kat.kasy) from Russia
Little baby Norbert! Yes, Katrina has chosen the famous moment when Hagrid's egg hatched - and a tiny dragon emerged. Who knew such an adorable bundle of joy could become so much trouble?
What inspired you to create this artwork?
Three weeks ago I watched Harry Potter for the first time. I plunged into this incredible fairy tale and it inspired me.
Natali W (aka @nala_zeichnet) from Germany
This beautiful sketch of an ornate key with wings represents the Flying Key scene towards the end of the first film, where Harry must use his Quidditch skills to locate a certain key to unlock the path to the Philosopher's Stone.
What inspired you to create this artwork?
I put this picture on paper because I wanted to give the little things in Harry Potter a bigger focus, because I'm in love with detail. I used to fall in love with the flying keys and so I created my very own key.
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
I remember exactly how I sat in the cinema, I was so excited. The film captivated me at the first second, it was magical, as it has never existed before in this way. I absorbed all impressions so that I fell even more into the world of Harry and to this day, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is my favorite.
Pavitra R (aka @pa.vie.en.rose) from Canada
Pavitra has picked Harry's Quidditch match to celebrate. Here, we see Harry overlooking the huge, green pitch with the Hogwarts house turrents in the background.
What inspired you to create this artwork?
That calm before the chaos of every match when Harry looks out at the empty Quidditch pitch, a place he feels the most at home.
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
Yes, very vividly! The Wizarding World captured by the movie was way beyond what I had imagined as a reader. It was also when I realised I was mispronouncing Hermione!
Rafaela C (aka @rafaela.ct) from Brazil
Rafaela has gone straight to the title for the inspiration of this piece: it's the glorious Philosopher's Stone itself!
What inspired you to create this artwork?
This year I was a part of a yearly drawing challenge called Inktober in which artists all over the world follow a prompt list for each day of October. This artwork was inspired by the prompt “alchemy” that made me instantly think of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. I actually watched the movie while I was drawing for some further inspiration and because I love it so much!
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
Yes! I was about 4 years old and I remember becoming instantly obsessed with the Harry Potter universe. From that day on, I would pick up any stick that I could find and pretend it was a wand waving it and saying “Wingardium Leviosa”. Oh, I miss those days!
Ramya C (aka @creating_maya) from India
Ramya has created this gorgeously detailed sketch of the Hogwarts Great Hall doors - we can almost feel the crackle of magic behind them!
What inspired you to create this artwork?
To me, this door was the entrance to another world, the world of endless possibilities and the world of escape. So it was a reminder of my first visit to Warner Bros. Studio Tour. I remember standing before the door and thinking wow, I am finally here - home at last. I found no better way to immortalise that moment than to sketch it in my own specific way. And Voila!
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
The first time I watched Philosopher's Stone was when I was 10. Almost 20 years ago. It was at home, during the summer, on the telly. That was all it took to make me fall in love with this world. Ironically, I started the books after the movies. They've both been such a huge part of my life and they will never stop being one. Even as I remember that I am going to turn 30 in a month, I still jump at the chance to watch Harry get off the boat and enter the castle. After all this time? Always.
Rebecca S A (aka @rebeccaadamsart) from Sweden
Rebecca has created a brilliantly abstract piece representing many facets of the Harry Potter stories - from the Sorting Hat to the giant chess set. Take a look and see how many references you can spot.
What inspired you to create this artwork?
I must say that all the Harry Potter movies inspire me, I have re-watched them many times and it never gets old for me. There are so many amazing scenes to choose from, but my main inspiration comes from the theme music. The music is one of the most alluring things about the movie. It captivates you in a magical way. The melodies evoke such powerful emotions and takes me to another dimension as soon as the first note rings. That's why I created a floating dimension with the main characters and moments that represents the movie from my point of view.
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
The enchanting illustrations of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone changed the world. It opened the door to a magical place that we all wanted to be a part of. I remember the first time I watched it because I felt that there was a greater meaning behind the story that spoke to me, besides the amazing scenery of course.The metaphors show the good and bad we experience in life and how we can grow from it.
Sofia A (aka @makeupby.s0f) from Mexico
That pivotal moment where the Hogwarts students first see their school is etched into so many fans' memories. And Sofia loved it so much, she transformed herself into the famously magical scene using make-up.
What inspired you to create this artwork?
On my make-up, I wanted to represent and transmit all of my love and history about Harry Potter. Also I wanted to mix it with my life passion, make-up.
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potterand the Philosopher's Stone?
Actually, I can't because when Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone came out I was like 1 year old. But my brother told me that my parents bought him the movie and that's when I watched it for first time.
Stephanie H (aka @artbystephaniehession) from Australia
This touching green and red painting depicts Hagrid seeing off the Hogwarts Express as it goes on another journey. We love how the colours seem to perfectly paint the mood as Hagrid walks back to the castle - and the glowing windows from the train as it passes.
What inspired you to create this artwork?
I re-read the Harry Potter series every summer (and have done for 6 years now) and am currently listening to the audiobooks with my partner. As we would finish an audiobook, we would watch a movie together. As we finished watching Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone together and the movie closed out on this final shot of the Hogwarts Express departing Hogsmeade and Hagrid heading back up to Hogwarts castle, I decided I'd paint this scene for him as a gift for listening to the books with me.
Do you remember the first timeyou watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
Not the first time, but definitely the most recent time with my partner - that inspired this artwork.
Valeria D L (@yue_s_art) from Italy
Valeria has chosen our favourite bookworm, Hermione, for this witty picture. There is no mistaking her famously bushy hair and the pile of books in her arms!
What inspired you to create this artwork?
I was reading the Harry Potter saga during the lockdown, and I remember I just wanted to draw Hermione's fluffy hair and pronounced teeth since I found them so cute!
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
The first time I saw Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was on TV when I was about 10 years old, but the time I remember most clearly is when I was about 16 together with my sister - that's when we became so passionate about the Harry Potter world and the magic began.
Alice N (aka @alchalksalot) from the US
And finally, we have Alice's meaningful drawing of Ollivander's famous quote: the wand chooses the wizard. There is also a homage to Harry's wand here - and the golden phoenix feather that lies at its core.
What inspired you to create this artwork?
I started reading Harry Potter when I was 10 before it was “Harry Potter”. I’ve grown up with the books and movies constantly in my life. I’ve loved going to the releases of the books and movies, and now as an adult I’m still a huge fan!
Do you remember the first time you watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?
I remember I was in elementary school when the first movie came out. I had already read the books and I was so excited to see the movie bring the books to life.
So there you have it! Thank you to all of our artists! Have these pieces inspired you to make your own?
Remember to visit our 20 Years of Movie Magic hub to learn more about the iconic scenes of the first film.
