I’ve always been observant and have a strong passion for creativity, which initially drove me to train as a hairstylist in my younger years. My tendency to immerse myself deeply in my interests led me to relocate to London in 2010, where I specialized in colour and even triumphed in L’Oréal color competitions. Although I found great joy in my career, my enthusiasm waned after leaving London.

2. How did you discover your talent for charcoal drawing?

Before 2019, my primary focus was on perfecting my painting skills, and I hadn’t thought about exploring other mediums. I tried my hand at oil paints and acrylics, but watercolors never caught my interest. Working with paints felt a bit structured and lacking in inspiration. Although I had experimented with graphite pencils and charcoal before, I wasn’t aware that charcoal could come in pencil form, which is why I didn’t initially realize that was what I was using.
I was curious about why some of my pencil drawings appeared shiny while others did not. I wanted to understand why some pencils layered well on top of each other, while others failed to adhere when I attempted to build up darker shades.

The year 2020 marked a pivotal moment for me. With plenty of time on my hands, I seized the opportunity to experiment and delve deeper into my unanswered questions.

3. What themes or subjects do you focus on in your artwork?

For the last four years, I have mainly focused on commissions for others, which has restricted my ability to develop a unique style as I concentrated on refining my skills and techniques. During this time, I’ve discovered that I don’t enjoy drawing foliage, trees, or leaves; instead, I am drawn to intricate details, strong contrasts, and clear definitions.

4. Can you describe your creative process?

The creative process begins with applying a grid to a reference photo and replicating it on paper, ensuring accuracy. I outlines basic shapes with soft pencil or vine charcoal, using rulers for alignment. Preferring to use the photo on my tablet for reference, I match grid boxes to the digital image size.

After outlining, layering begins to create depth and texture using various charcoals and techniques like hatching and blending.

Tools such as blending stumps and cotton buds help achieve lifelike transitions. Light and shadow play a crucial role, with careful rendering of highlights to add dimension.

I regularly steps back to assess composition, taking photos for a fresh perspective that aids in identifying errors. The process involves refining details and balancing elements through iterative application and removal of charcoal.

Finally, a spray fixative preserves the drawing, while signing the artwork proves challenging, I struggle with consistency in my signature but I’m sure it will improve over time.

The typical timeframe for completing a piece varies significantly based on several factors, including the size of the drawing, the level of detail required, and whether any elements need to be added or removed prior to commencement. Generally, smaller, less detailed artworks may take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days to finish. In contrast, larger, more intricate pieces can require several weeks or even months, depending on their complexity and the existing schedule.

Additionally, the creative process plays a crucial role in determining the final timeline. Each artwork is unique, and the time invested in its creation reflects a commitment to ensuring that every detail is meticulously crafted to fulfill the envisioned expectations.