Oliver Sin

California, USA, Bob, dry media, 17 x 14" (43 x 36 cm)

My Inspiration

I have been so drawn to art even as a little boy, I once recalled that I started drawing at the age of 3. Somehow, portraiture just seems to be my favorite form of expression, which I constantly practice, not only as an art professor at Academy of Art University but as a favorite hobby as well. Since 2011, I have been lucky enough to come across a few distinguished contemporary artists as my mentors, Zhaoming Wu, Henry Yan and Chung-wei Chien. Their tireless guidance has urged me to put greater efforts in capturing fleeting human expressions and paying more attention to precise composition in figurative portraits.

My Design Strategy

Since I have always been deeply inspired by a 20th-century master artist, Nicolai Fechin, I employ his influence in creating sensitive, soulful, emotional and dramatic portraits in vine charcoal. To capture the insight and warmth of each model, then transfer it from life to drawing paper is my motivation. To leave behind an essence of personality on drawing paper, along with intense personal feelings, is my attempt to reveal his approach towards art and life.

My Working Process

This piece was started from an alla prima drawing session for a six-hour drawing class, and then it was finished from references. My choice of medium for this piece is vine charcoal on 14-by-17-inch Strathmore 70lbs medium surface drawing paper. I drew the outline of the portrait in term of shapes first, and then turned shapes into planes change. The last step was adding value.

Contact Details

Email: oliversin@gmail.com Instagram: @oliversin