At first glance, these
stripped-back images of well-known figures look like beautifully shot
photographs.
In fact, each one is an
incredibly detailed pencil drawing.
Their astonishing realism is
rapidly making their young artist as famous as his subjects – who include
Beyonce, Amy Winehouse, Princess Diana and Mother Teresa.
Each work takes the 27-year-old up to 100 hours to complete, and he tries to inspire emotion in the viewer with vivid portraits. Pictured, Heath Ledger and Princess Diana.
Kelvin Okafor, 27, graduated from
Middlesex University in fine art and is now making waves across the country.
His subjects include popular
music artists Tinie Tempah, James Morrison and Adele.
He has also picked out tragic
figures from actor Heath Ledger to the late King of Jordan, King Hussein – and
with each, he tries to evoke an emotion in the viewer.
Finally, he has used friends and
colleagues for the impressively accurate images, which look like soft focus
digital photos.
Last year, the artist from
Tottenham, north London, exhibited at numerous major art galleries and won a
clutch of prestigious national awards for his remarkable work.
Each of his pieces takes around
80-100 hours to complete, over approximately three weeks in the studio.
Mr Okafor creates each piece only
in black and white – using graphite pencils; charcoal, black coloured pencil
and sometimes grey pastels.
Yet he believes that the range of
tone, shade and texture is almost endless.
He draws on a combination of life
and photographs, working on his art for up to 15 hours a day.
He admits he is ‘passionate about
precision’.
‘I aspire to create art as vivid
as eyes could see,’ the artist writes on his blog.
‘I want my drawings to prompt an
emotional response, making viewers feel as though they are looking at a real
live subject.
Mr Okafor describes the pencil as ‘a humble instrument’, but says this is part of its appeal.
‘I’ve always been creative, but
fell in love with using pencils in particular.
‘It amazed me, that with only one
shade of lead, you can create so many tones and textures, and almost create the
illusion of colour.
‘It was only when my images
started to create a buzz with other Middlesex University students that I
realised their impact.’
He was selected as one of the top
two pieces of work at Cork Street Gallery’s Winter Show in 2012 and recently
won the Catherine Petitgas Visitors’ Choice Prize, part of the National Open
Art Competition.
His work is currently on display
at the The Watercolours + Works on Paper Fair at the London Science Museum,
until February 3.
Before starting a piece, Mr Okafor
spends a few days analysing a photo, concentrating first on the subject’s eyes,
which are central to his works’ impact.
His pieces are now selling for on
average £8,000-£10,000, depending on the scale.
‘The attention I’m receiving is
surreal and hasn’t really sunk in yet,’ he added.
‘I’m usually sheltered from it in
my studio as I continue to build my portfolio, but I’m really humbled and
honoured that so many people appreciate my work.
‘I hope to have my own gallery in
the future.’
He has now had more than 50
commissions, and the dedicated artist cites his role models as Leonardo da
Vinci and Michelangelo – because they not only mastered the arts but branched
out into other fields including engineering, poetry, science and maths.
Twitter users describe his work
as ‘incredible’, ‘extraordinary’ and ‘astounding’.
Visit his blog for more amazing sketches.
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