All the work below was done with a very regular number 2 mechanical pencil out of my studio in Northern California. Inspired by Michelangelo Buonarotti and Leonardo da Vinci.
Contact email: chubaoyolu@gmail.com
instagram handle: @chubaoyolu
Facebook Page: Chubanator
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In deep thought
Medium: Graphite. Print dimensions: 12″ X 9.5″
Copies available for purchase
I started this piece out with the intention of drawing a portrait of a wise old masculine mentor archetype. The game plan was to focus first on the inner facial features and then add the other stuff, like hair, a facial outline, etc. However, I found the finished work of the central facial features of this masculine archetype so striking that I decided to leave it as is.
Without Wax
Chuba Oyolu Ph.D.
Moses
Medium: Graphite. Print dimensions: 12″ X 9.5″
Copies available for purchase
This statue of Moses was carved by Michelangelo Buonarotti to serve as the major central figure in the tomb of the warrior pope – Pope Julius II. As is typical of most works by the great man, Moses is depicted as Muscular and full of life force. I’ve never seen this statue in the flesh, but according to the records, it is apparently huge… as most works by Michelangelo tend to be. This rendition of the marvelous statue was created entirely in graphite/pencil.
Without Wax
Chuba Oyolu Ph.D.
Madonna Doni
Medium: Graphite. Print dimensions: 12″ X 9.5″
Copies available for purchase
This is a reproduction of a painting that historians have attributed to Michelangelo. One of Michelangelo’s favorite subjects to draw, carve, or paint, was the iconic relationship between the divine virgin and her child, a form of which is depicted here. Notice how strong Madonna looks in this piece… like she could take on a small army. Such is the reverence that catholics of his time showed for the divine virgin and what she meant to religion.
Without Wax
Chuba Oyolu Ph.D.
Jehovah Jireh
Medium: Graphite. Print dimensions: 12″ X 9.5″
Copies available for purchase
I created this as a graduate student in the hopes that I would one day get to see it live…
I had the good fortune of eventually travelling to Rome in the spring of 2017 on what ended up being a glorious trip. I saw the sistine chapel during the Vatican museum tour and promptly started tearing up at the sheer majesty of that ceiling. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend going. It was a moment of overwhelming joy to see this iconic panel of the ceiling in living color. To think that this was created ~500 years ago when there where no scissor lifts, pallet jacks, electric lights, air conditioning, etc is truly astounding.
Without Wax
Chuba Oyolu Ph.D.
La Pieta
Medium: Graphite. Print dimensions: 12″ X 9.5″
Copies available for purchase
I have also seen La Pieta in the flesh inside the Basilica Di San Pietro in Rome. This amazing statue was carved by Michelangelo as a 25 year old! Boy is it beautiful. As is well known, one of Michelangelo’s preferred topics to create around was the relationship between the divine virgin and her child. One of the curious things about this creation of his is that christ as depicted here isn’t as muscular as many of the other traditional Michelangelo figures that he’s known for. Perhaps in death, the life forces that filled all those rippled muscles left Jesus as he lay limp on his mother’s bosom.
Without Wax
Chuba Oyolu Ph.D.
Michelangelo’s David
Medium: Graphite. Print dimensions: 12″ X 9.5″
Copies available for purchase
Seeing this thing in all its splendor at the galleria dell’accademia in Florence was a near religious experience. The statue is a legitimate 16ft tall, and is completely majestic. It’s weird that Michelangelo made the statue this large because as the story would have it, David faced Goliath when he was merely a shepherd boy. Perhaps the size of this statue is more symbolic of David’s courage rather than his physical size. Anyhow, we’ve recreated the likeness of King David’s head here in pencil, depicting the young King’s courageous defiance at the moment right before he engaged in battle with Goliath.
Without Wax
Chuba Oyolu Ph.D.
How are these drawn? Is it freehand?
Hey JR,
Yes they are drawn freehand. I use regular number 2 mechanical pencils and get the differences in shade and tone by manually varying the pressure applied to the medium via my tools. Thanks for asking and for taking an interest in my work!
Chuba,
You are a great artist, can`t believe you could draw and paint like that,i would love to have some of your work,actually buy them before they get too expensive,cos i know someday you are going to be a famous artist.I love your work
Very kind words man. I appreciate the support!
Wow, look at the details! This is really raw art at its finest. Love them all, especially the one of Jehovah. Fantastic job!
Awesome! Great to hear from you. I hope all is well
Chuba, my dearest cousin. Great work and a job well done. The qualities of these pieces are universal and timeless. I particularly love your “work in pencil” on King David. The portrait expresses the beauty, status, power and wealth of the character so young yet strong in divinity.
Thanks Odi. Very kind words