We found Brian doing some very nice realistic pencil drawings recently and asked if he’d enjoy being one of our Featured Artists. This is a new series we’re starting here on Pencils.com to draw some attention to some really great pencil artwork. Our interview with Brian posted here provides insight to Brian’s inspiration and influences and what attracts him to working in graphite pencil.

Brian also works to help others in the art and drawing community with his own website dueysdrawings.com. This site features much of Brian’s work as well as provides a few free tutorials and a message board for like minded artists to connect. Including this one on how to draw faces which is an area he seems to specialize in focusing on portrait drawing.

We welcome Brian to our growing Pencil Pal community here on Pencils.com and hope that he’ll become an active participant.

We’re always interested in expanding our interviews for other artists, writers or even teachers and featuring something special you may be doing. Please Contact Us if you have something you’d like to get featured here on Pencils.com.

Our Interview with Brian

When and how did you start creating artwork?

I doodled all through school but mostly just creating cartoon type drawings. Drawing had always been something that interested me but I lost touch with it at about 16 years old. I guess life just got in the way and I didn’t have time for it anymore. In 2004, at the age of 23, I picked up a pencil again. It really just happened out of boredom. I was unemployed at the time and sitting around the house a lot.

My first few drawings were similar to where I left off at 16, very unrealistic and cartoony. I immediately fell in love with drawing again and wanted to do it all the time. I started doing research on the internet and was stunned at what other artists were creating. To give credit where it’s due, my early inspiration was sparked by Zindy S.D. Neilsen and Eliezer Gabriel. I was stunned at the realism that could be achieved with just pencils and paper. I wanted my drawings to look realistic. I’ve had many sleepless nights and I’ve put a lot of work into it. I think my drawings are semi realistic but I strive to get better in the future.

Did you ever train formally as an artist at all?

This is one of the most common questions I get in e-mails. I did take a comic drawing class at a local college at the age of 13. But I don’t attribute any of my drawing ability to that class. I am self taught. I’ve learned through trial and error.

What got you interested in using pencils to create artwork?

Looking at other people’s work. I was amazed at what could be produced with such a simple tool. Also, I think pencils are just a natural entry level medium. They are cheap and most people have them already.

What initially inspired you to draw and how do you find inspiration today?

Boredom inpsired me to draw initially. Then other artists’ work inspired me to keep going with it and strive for better results. Today, inspiration comes in many forms. Art has changed my whole outlook on the world. I find myself constantly looking around and admiring beauty in different things. I always look at clouds when I am driving and study how they exist. So the world in general is very inspiring to me. I network with many different artists who give me inspiration through their work. Music is a huge inspiration for me also. I am always playing music while working on my art.

What kind of emotions do you express through your artwork?

I’m not sure if I express any emotions yet. My drawings at this point are kind of just practice for me. I want to have a good grasp on realism before I get into any concepts. Eventually I do want to get into some conceptual work that have much more feeling in them.

What’s your favorite piece?

I have a few favorite pieces. For the most part I am a portrait artist. My favorite portraits I have done are my Kate Beckinsale portrait in 2007 and my Lindsay Lohan colored pencil drawing in 2008. My favorite concept drawing is my drawing of a shattered Jack Daniels bottle, titled “Intoxicated”. This drawing really tried my patience. The drawing is 14″x20″ and took approximately 60 hours. I think it is my single favorite drawing of all.

If you would like to check out his ‘Featured Artist’ Lesson page, Click here. Brian has numerous drawings in our Gallery if you would like to view his work.