Drawing Is my comfort zone

Despite looking like they have been captured on a camera, pencil artist JIMMY MUMBO HARRISON, 27, is able to recreate photos in amazing detail using a pencil. He spoke to ALLAN OLINGO

How do you do this kind of art?

You might think that my paint work are just photos captured in black and white but when you see my gallery up-close, you can tell they are drawings. The details are incredible. It takes a week or two to do one. All I need is the original photo capture in camera, which I scan then I draw. It’s mostly a matter of how good your copying and blending skills are.

That’s a lot of work…

Yes it is. Patience is key. It’s the details that make the piece come alive. Drawing is what I love to do; to recreate life as we see and know it using a simple pencil is exciting to say the least. Working on a drawing for hours is so relaxing that to this day; I still have a hard time putting my pencil down. It’s my comfort zone.

How did you start?

I started drawing in Class Two. The teachers used to give us assignments and I would emerge the best. When I was young, there were the factual films that used to come to our hood. The next day, I would draw the scenes and keep them until the next film came along. As I grew up, I perfected my art skills and would occasionally design the school calendar through my drawings. When I got to Class Eight, my parents became concerned because I was spending more time with my drawing pen than the books. I now had to balance between this two because they believed that my education was being compromised.

Did you pursue it further?

Yes I did. When I joined Kaloleni Secondary School, I was actually the best artiste until Form Two when someone else with the skill joined the school. Now I had competition. I took it in my stride and we became friends. He taught me how to perfect the pencil artwork and I owe him so much.

When did you have a breakthrough?

After high school, I pursed art but was so much into acting. My breakthrough came in 2008 when I landed an art work job with the United Nations Children Education Funds ‘Malezi Bora’ programme. Our duty was to do murals and drawings that would graphically illustrate the project. We did this in Kwale County, my home area. I was still able to undertake my journalism diploma at the Mombasa Aviation College.

What have been the challenges so far?

Art is demanding and without patience, you will not hack it. My challenges have been getting clients. It’s your work that sells but you also have to go out and promote your pieces. It’s not easy. You also have to embrace criticism. People will talk to put you down but when you believe in yourself, then you will be able to make through.

How have you overcome some of these challenges?

It’s all about sacrifice. I am now trying to do the pencil art as my source of income and this means I have to work extra hard so that I have quality work that will be attractive in the market. You have to be persistent. I am persistent in looking out for my clients and myself.

Where do you draw your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from everywhere and everything. I look at life around me and want to draw too many things.

How supportive have your parents been?

Initially my parents had a big issue with my drawing mostly because I was so poor in balancing it with schoolwork. But once I was able to balance the two and having put my education way ahead of painting, they have been supportive.

Have you been able to share your talents with young people who are interested in artwork?

I have nurtured a few young people who have immense art skills. I am a firm believer that when you share whatever you have as a gift, then you will receive more insights and perfection.

  Any words of encouragement to those who have this talent?

Never skip over any details such as that perfect balance of light and shadow to define the shape of one’s face, unique flickers of light in each eye, hair texture (including eyelashes and eyebrows) and even pores in the skin. It is also important to understand that any kind of art, be it music, calligraphy, painting, pencil drawing and even acting comes with its challenges. You might not be perfect, but the level you have managed to reach is perfect. Neither tire nor give up, it could be your gate to bigger things. Nurture the talents or what you are good in and with self-belief, bigger things await you.