Biography
Self taught best describes my progress to this point in time. Hours spent honing my skills and creating a style that I believe represents what I feel is important and I hope that you like.
My art focuses on the relationship of light on surfaces, the textures and contrast that can be seen in simple images. Since my parents convinced me to watch ‘To Kill a Mokingbird’ as a child it has built an understanding that colour in art can confuse the onlooker and that by taking colour away you get time to see, feel and possibly have a better understanding of the subject you’re viewing.
From the very first set of Derwent Graphic pencils I received as a child I have been fascinated in the simplicity of the pencil. It’s that simplicity that allows me to focus on the detail of the drawing, light, shadow and textures that be come clear with basic tools in a black and white format. Working with graphite in black and white allows the subject matter to be varied as it’s the light, texture and feel of the finished work that I am trying to convey in my drawings. Each work can take up to 50hrs to complete, but it’s this time that allows me to address the detail and layering required to make the final work stand out. However, my intention is not to produce photo-realistic images, far from it as I believe that what I produce is an artistic representation of light on a subject and the simplicity of detail.
This approach to my art therefore provides a finished image that is bold, crisp, highly detailed and I would hope for the onlooker also thought provoking. I have a strong belief in producing original artwork as I feel that this gives people something completely unique to own. However, I do also offer limited edition prints of most of my work alongside the original itself. All limited edition prints are produced by Neal Scrace Fine Art Services, and printed on Hahnemuhle 100% Cotton Photo Rag and signed by me.
If you like what you've seen you can contact me either by email or DM me on Instagram (@benstevensonartworks)
