Mnelisi captivates viewers with his art
Art is a window to the soul and a mirror to reality, pencil art stands out as a mesmerizing genre that blurs the lines between the tangible and the ethereal.
With its meticulous attention to detail and uncanny ability to replicate life with stunning accuracy, this form of art transports viewers into a realm where beauty transcends reality.
Eswatini Financial Times had an interview with one of the best pencil artists in the country, Mnelisi Mngomezulu, who shared more about his art and journey.
Eswatini Financial Times (EFT): Who is Mnelisi Mngomezulu?
Mnelisi Mngomezulu (MM): I am Mnelisi Mngomezulu, a young confident gentleman, turning 23 years old this year. I am Currently studying for my B.sc in Agricultural Extension at the University of Eswatini, Luyengo. I am a self-motivated person, focused and ambitious. I do realistic pencil art, which is what I can say I love the most. I am a person who likes challenges and risktaking, driven by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words that run as, “Always do what you are afraid to do.” I am a kind and loving person who is perceived as an introvert. I’m a patient and neat person, blessed with the love of nature. I am a believer. One unique thing about me is that I never disappoint.
EFT: Tell us more about your art style. MM:
I do realistic pencil art. Pencil art is a type of craft that requires one to be patient as there are a couple of steps to be applied in the process until the end. Neatness is key as some mistakes cannot be corrected. My art is more focused on using reference photos to get the job done.
EFT: What is your definition of art? MM:
Art is more like a reflection of emotions and feelings placed on a physical medium. Art allows people to interpret it according to the way they see it or according to their understanding. It has the power to uplift, comfort, provoke, teach, and entertain us. Art is life.
EFT: What inspired you to do art? MM:
I was inspired by the love I have for layering different tones. According to my understanding, I can say art has the power to take a simple or old image and give it life. I was driven by the dream of making my work known to other people, and passion to make money. I do commissions. People place orders along with a 30 per cent deposit to confirm their order.
EFT: Please tell us about the exhibitions you have taken part in. MM:
I have not partaken in any art exhibition yet, but it is my dream and wish to do one in future. What I have noticed is that people like art and some are even willing to spend a fortune on it. I want my work to be seen by the world one day.
EFT: Who do you look up to and why? MM:
Jono Dry is my inspiration. What fascinates me about his craft is the love he has for art and the way he treats it. He perceives art as a career, he respects art and betters his craft every day. He does not only care about deepening his pockets but at the same time focuses on perfection. He is not selfish; he is not afraid to share his strategies with everyone.
EFT: Please take us through your creative process: what do you do from start to finish of a drawing? MM:
I grid the reference photo using an application called Grid Artist, feeding all the information about the size of the drawing I want to draw. The grid acts as guidelines, leading to achieving perfect outlines, the drawing of the grid on the paper. I start by sketching the portrait which is followed by the shedding processes. I start with darker shades and then end with lighter ones. I use a soft charcoal pencil to shade the darker areas then use a brush to blend. The reason I use a charcoal pencil and not a graphite pencil is that a charcoal pencil does not have a shiny finish. I then start shading the mid-tones using an HB pencil, then blend using a brush. I repeat this process before shading the other areas. I then focus on the details then the highlights. In the end, I then watermark my work with my signature.
EFT: What is your career highlight(s)? MM:
I remember when I first got an order for a big portrait, I was flooded with joy. I paid no attention to the fact that it was challenging, I only cared about the size. It was even hard for me to price it as it was my first time doing such a big drawing. Also, there was a time I was tasked to do some drawings for the church on the kids’ corner section. I loved the fact that I was putting a smile on kids’ faces.
EFT: Any advice for upcoming artists? MM:
Practice makes one perfect. They should keep pushing and go at their own pace. The road to perfection is endless when it comes to art. For more tips and techniques in art, they can make use of YouTube tutorials.