Shout-Out Sunday: John Fenerov Takes my Breath Away

Truly. I am almost speechless looking at the work of Saint-Petersburg, Russia artist John Fenerov. His mastery of charcoal portraits is immediately obvious. His subjects' eyes draw you in in a way that is almost trance-like. When you're finally able to break free of their hold, you begin to notice the fine details and a flow that seems effortless. As a fairly novice charcoal artist, I feel the urge to study each of his pieces with a magnifying glass, not wanting to miss anything. Most portrait artists struggle with capturing the essence of their subjects. This is where John excels. His expressions give you a glimpse into the mind of his subjects. You could have a silent conversation with them and know exactly what they wish to say. I am humbled by his work. I only hope that I can some day come close to his skill. Please follow him on Instagram @johnfnart and send him a message to purchase his incredible artwork.

Q: What inspires you? A: My inspiration comes from Russian literature, and the book community. I love to read. Sometimes I explore nude art, original characters, music in my own vision and frustration. I listen to classical, blues and heavy metal. If I were drawing something from say the 18th or 19th century for example, classical is preferable because it keeps me focused. Most of the times I'm inspired by the Victorian and Edwardian era and their art, music, style, romance, lust...and literature or poetry. All of this just fuels my work and developing a style I'm familiar with.

Q: How does art influence your life? A: I would say it's visual literacy that influences an artist's life, not just art itself. What's most important is what's going on in the mind, how people see, the ability to read and write, respond to and interpret the visual language of an image. Everything is an image.

Q: How has your style changed over the years? A: My style changes and it's fun to see how I used to draw before. My mediums and materials are not changing. I have experience with other mediums, I just find mediums that touch the paper more...addictive? I experiment a lot doing various studies.

Q: What does your art say about you? A: My art continues to develop in a subconscious way. I'm very selective about my subject, very selective when it comes to drawing men or women, expressions e.g. smiling or not. As a person who had a tough past, I was also inspired by the old vintage photographs - where most people weren't smiling at all and had a strong expression of nostalgia or just mysterious like an unsolved case.

Q: What's the most important trait a person needs to have in order to make it as a successful artist?

A: Patience and commitment to work. read more...  practice is useless without patience.

#art #shoutoutsunday #artistofinstagram#artist #charcoalartist #charcoaldrawing#charcoal #charcoalportrait #portraitartist#portraitart #charcoalart #russianart#russianartist #artistinterview

Shout-Out Sunday: Meet Kamola

I found Kamola - a portrait artist in Bristol, UK - while searching through artists on Instagram and was instantly blown away by the richness of the shadows and the soul behind the eyes of her subjects. Then you get a little closer and realize...holy crap! This is done with pens and markers! The crosshatching she uses for her shadows and the layered tones make my heart so happy. I hope that you'll take a moment to look her up and BUY HER WORK! I'm hoping to have some of her work on my walls soon. You should, too! Follow @kama_draws on Instagram and send her a message to purchase or commission a piece of artwork.

Q: How long does it typically take you to complete a piece of artwork? A: That hugely depends on the size and material I use. If using a ballpoint pen, an A4* portrait drawing takes between 4 to 6 hours. If it's a sketch, then around 2.5 hours.

*For us yanks, that's about 8.27"x11.69".

Q: What inspires you? A: People and music. I love looking at people's faces, studying their facial features, imagining their personalities/thoughts.

Q: What did you want to be when you grew up? A: I wanted to be an artist or a craft maker, but there was always this thought that being an artist is not really a job, so I decided that I could draw and make things in my own time and that my job would be a fashion designer.

Q: Describe your art training. A: I have a degree in Design, so was taught to draw and paint but that was over 10 years ago. And I've only been drawing/painting seriously for the last two years.

Q: What's your favorite quote?  A: "If you don't know what you want you end up with a lot you don't." - Chuck Palahniuk

#shoutoutsunday #sundayshoutout #portraitartist #britishartist #ukartist #artistofinstagram #artistoninstagram #penandinkart #inkdrawings

Shout-Out Sunday: Meet Fan Artist Alan Fore

Calling all comic/sci-fi/fantasy nerds (yes, I'm including myself in that statement)! Alan Fore is an amazing artist who spends his time in Northern Indiana creating incredible portraits of characters from Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who. His artistic style runs between comic book and realism in a way that captures the true essence of each character flawlessly. His strong lines and soft blends combine for a completely satisfying piece of art that I could stare at for hours. It's easy to tell the respect that Alan has for these genres simply by recognizing the detail and care in which his artwork comes to life. Check out his Instagram feed

for mesmerizing videos of his creative process. (And the pizza Tri-Force is not to be missed!) Visit his website to see his pet portraits, family portraits, space ships and more! Is there anything this guy can't draw?

If you are not fortunate enough to be able to attend one of the ten or so conventions where Alan sells his work each year (look for the bald guy in the kilt), you cans still purchase his work on Etsy (originals and prints available) or by sending him an e-mail or message on Instagram. Follow him and check in regularly to get your hands on new original work for sale that he announces in his feed. His stuff goes fast, so don't miss out! Of course, you could always commission a one-of-a-kind piece from him as well.

Website: PortraitsByAlan.com Etsy: etsy.com/shop/portraitsbyalan Instagram: @portraitsbyalan

E-Mail: alan@portraitsbyalan.com

Q: How long does it typically take you to complete a piece of artwork? A: If I focused on just one piece at a time, 2-3 days on average. But I usually have multiple pieces going as well as graphic design work, so it can take between one and two weeks.

Q: What music do you listen to when you are working? Anything else you do to set up your work environment? A: I’m usually either listening to Pandora or playing something on Netflix. I’m currently watching the entire Battlestar Galactica series on DVD. Well, listening to it anyway.

Q: What did you want to be when you grew up? A: An artist. Q: What advice would you give a budding artist? A: Draw, draw, draw. I then draw some more. And draw. The only way to develop quality and find out what you love to do is to start doing it and do it every day. It will take years. But you get better every time you try.

Q: Describe an average day in your life. A: Up at 6:30 or 7. Breakfast and a half hour of reading or watching the morning news. Work until 10:30. Half hour jog at the gym and lunch. Back to work until 4:30. Hour at the gym with my wife. Dinner and chill. Finish any needed work, usually on the couch with my wife as opposed to in the studio (laptops are great). Work finished between 7 and 9. Bed at 10 or 11. Some days will have errands, deliveries, phone calls or paperwork thrown in there too. Q: Describe your art training. A: Four years of art school and 42 years of trying to do work that doesn’t stink. Q: How do people usually react to your artwork? How does this make you feel? A: I get enough positive reactions to my work to be confident that I’m not kidding myself. But I’m probably my biggest critic. I always see the flaws. But seeing people get excited when they see one of my prints that they love and realize they can have it for only 5 or 10 bucks… that’s pretty cool. I give a lot of stuff away at cons too, mostly to kids and fun cosplayers. That’s always neat.

Q: What does your art say about you? A: I’ll do anything to avoid working in an office. Q: Do you support yourself through your art? If not, what else do you do? If so, how long did it take you to get to this point and what were some of your challenges along the way? A: I work as a graphic designer as well. When I worked at an agency before I went freelance, it was difficult to balance work, family and trying to break into the art thing. Everything needed time. It took a lot of work, patience and juggling. Q: What's the most important trait a person needs to have in order to make it as a successful artist? A: You have to produce quality work and you have to be disciplined and self motivated. And draw.

#art #artist #shoutoutsunday #portraitsbyalan #comicart #scifiart #fantasyart #starwars #startrek #doctorwho #marvel #dc