Ilustrations in motion

I started doing illustrations as a child, had no formal training in them. I simply grabbed a copy of a comic (thanks, Superman, Batman and Spidey, for the companionship, by the way) and drew from them. I also, couldn't trace. I did it a few times as a kid, and was never satisfied. So I developed my own style and as Teen Titans gave way to Naruto and Neon Genesis Evangelion (Anime shout-out, whoop whoop) and Stargate Atlantis, Andromeda and every sci-fi on tv (sundays used to the best, NBC, Fox and ABC).

 

watercolour and charcoal on cardboard

 

 Pen and wash

Illustration is fun, no hassles. Try doodling and then let it grow from there. Next post, will be on a very special painter....tbc

 

Book Review: Artists in Nigeria

 New coffee-table book out, on sale at Terra Kulture, titled "Artists in Nigeria".
I think this is a great compilation, it has all modern art, from colonial to contemporary, all Nigeria's great painters (Yusuf Grillo), sculptors (Bisi Fakeye), potters (Ladi Kwali), photographers (Kelechi Amadi-Obi) even a designer (Deola Sagoe made it in the book). It's beautifully printed as well, glossy pages, and it's a huge book. Definitely a keeper.

I wanted to show an insert, you can see the colour reproductions are of the highest order. Check out Terra Kulture's store if you are interested in buying it.

Brushes (yay!)

I decided to get some watercolour brushes from the US. It took 4 long weeks, during which I had no idea if I would receive my package. I kinda almost went stir-crazy, so I decided to look for alternative watercolour brushes here in Lagos.

Winsor and Newton Sceptre series: these are okay, but don't quite fit my technique. They don't hold water well, so I use them for chinese style calligraphy (more on why I do that).

 

Winsor and Newton Cotman series: I like the flats, not the rounds. Period.

 Rembrandt, Winsor and Newton series 7 and Daler-Rowney artists brushes: these are great so far. 

Japanese hake brushes: these were a great find. I couldn't believe when I found them. Really like these.

So I will keep looking, keep you all updated. Let me know if you have questions.

Take care.

Gani Odutokun

The late Gani Odutokun was one of Nigeria's most influential painters in the 20th century. He studied at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (one of Nigeria's elite art schools) and was an excellent draughtsman. Gani Odutokun was known for his bold, painterly brushstrokes and rich use of colour. The late artist was until his death influenced by his environment while making strong commentaries on sociopolitical issues of the time and was a pioneer of Modern African Art.

I found out about Gani Odutokun when I was in the offices of Omenka magazine (there's a post coming on them soon). I've been doing as much reading up as I can on him, and it's been pretty fascinating. Gani was always interested in Architecture in Art and was an experimentalist in his works.

The last painting is a tribute to a classical western art piece and is "Dialogue with Mona Lisa". It's stirring, moving and tells me about the artist's need to understand Western art and it's influence on Nigerian art. Traditionally, our Nigerian art has been reluctant to accept anything that is seen as outside influence. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, and I usually support this, but sometimes we exclude to the point where we stagnate ourselves.

Gani Odutokun's legacy will always be here with us and should be shown as an example of a fusion that can occur seamlessly.
His works can be seen at Museums and galleries around the world.

Rembrandt the Great

Today Google marked the407th birthday of Rembrandt Van Rijn,dutch painter from the 17th century, who was one of the greatest painters to have ever existed in the world. Man was a genius, he painted light and shadow in a dramatic manner (an effect called Chiaroscuro, still in use by painters and photographers to this day).

Self-portrait of the artist

I first saw the above painting at the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. It's an incredible painting. 

Rembrandt stated in one of his letters, that his greatest achievement through Art was to try the greatest and most natural movement. In his later works, he actually discouraged viewers from looking too closely at his paintings, as he used coarse brush strokes (much more different than his earlier smooth style). But the end result of this painting style was a richly varied handling of paint, deeply layered and often apparently
haphazard, which suggests form and space in both an illusory and highly individual manner.

So, let's raise a glass to Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (oh stop showing off that you can pronounce his name and just call him Rembrandt) and happy 407th birthday, old man.
Cheers.

Akanimoh Umoh: watercolourist

Akanimoh Umoh studied Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He further studied at the Universal Studio of Art, Igamnu, under notable painter Mr. Abiodun Olaku, one of Nigeria's legends (a huge post coming on him, and it's going to be the best post ever). Akanimoh works extensively in Watercolour medium, so he and I are buddy buddies. The first day I met him, he took my supplies and started painting with them, and that little sketch looked great.

 Flora's Secret, watercolour on paper

Tiger Lily, watercolour on paper

Akanimoh's painting style is a subtle blend of Contemporary African and Art Nouveau. He loves the Female figure and has this dreamy, beautiful quality to his work. He's using the one of the hardest media ever and creating such detailed nuances in his works.

Akanimoh's work is to be found at most auctions, including Arthouse and Terra Kulture.

The Portrait work of Wallace Ejoh

The first time I met Mr. Wallace Ejoh, he was very kind to spend time educating me on Art. He showed me the different movements of Art, from Classicism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. Mr. Ejoh is an impressionistic painter. He was born in Ghana, but is Nigerian. His work has been exhibited widely and is popular at art auctions.

 Mr. Ejoh executing a portrait painting demonstration to a group of students.

 The finished painting.

The last 2 are other works of Wallace Ejoh. Mr. Ejoh takes commissions for portraits, so if you do want a portrait done, I would recommend him and I know he can handle many media, so it doesn't have be in oil medium.