My name is Kay Lee. I’m Malaysian. I use a white pencil to capture light and expression on black paper. I especially like to picture artwork in a “low-key” mode, contrast, and dramatic lighting effect, with lots of shadows. It gives depth, mood, feeling, and emotion, with a quiet and mysterious atmosphere. And I like accentuated forms with clean looks too, as I think it can give more substantial visual impact; illumination on a specific portion of the image with very selective use of light can help me to achieve that.
I graduated from Nanjing University of the Arts, where I majored in oil painting. Yes, I’m academically trained in traditional art. Still, I have a great interest in mixed media art ranging from drawing to painting in various kinds of mediums, even digital illustrations, public installations, etc.
More info: Instagram | saatchiart.com | Facebook
This post may include affiliate links.
I chose the crosshatching technique purposely because it can create a variety of textures. In this project, I used an oil-based pencil to draw, because it can create smooth, creamy, and delicate lines. I chose fine grain paper to draw, so textured crosshatching lines can pair with it to enhance the contrast in the overall presentation.
In this project, I take intense light as the main composition element. For me, I think it’s quite practical to work with the crosshatching technique because it allows me to create a full range of value with different quality of edges. At the same time, I think I’m trying to convey the relationship between light and crosshatching, experiment on various kinds of expressions, and try to give them a fresh look. In the drawing process, I make the forms slowly emerge stroke by stroke and layer by layer. Sometimes I felt that I was using a pencil to weave light, using pencil strokes as if I knit my drawing.
I currently have a few experimental directions. One of them is to move this drawing project further into bigger sizes and painting forms. I want to divide it into two parts. One is to use traditional painting mediums; another is to use contemporary painting mediums, still taking time in fixing the relationship between this drawing project with painting mediums mainly in both visual language and technical perspective. At the moment, I’m still feeling free to explore different kinds of subject matter. Do you like my sketches, or perhaps want to see more? Then follow me on my social media linked above. I hope you like it!
I especially loved this one. Simplicity, the unique perspective. Thanks for sharing this👍❤️
I love how you use different techniques together and not together. And some drawings are bare minimal but say so much.
Astonishing ability to see it in your mind, share it on paper and allow people to see your heart.
What amazes me is that you don't need to see the shoulder to know the dragon is sitting on it, if that makes any sense.
I am gobsmacked by these. Goethe described color as "troubled light" and added that he found no more troubling color than black itself. Art critics have pointed out over the years that both Velázquez and Goya, through their paintings, made black accepted as its own true color. The positive/negative dualities of these works and their simplified structures serve to isolate the qualities of their interlocked forms. What better metaphor for these times than our own interconnected isolation? It has been said that one cannot be considered a true artist until they have executed a worthy grisaille. You have done that here. Please don't give up on your excellent and splendid efforts!
I am gobsmacked by these. Goethe described color as "troubled light" and added that he found no more troubling color than black itself. Art critics have pointed out over the years that both Velázquez and Goya, through their paintings, made black accepted as its own true color. The positive/negative dualities of these works and their simplified structures serve to isolate the qualities of their interlocked forms. What better metaphor for these times than our own interconnected isolation? It has been said that one cannot be considered a true artist until they have executed a worthy grisaille. You have done that here. Please don't give up on your excellent and splendid efforts!