SIBU: Budding portrait drawing artist, Chai Yew King is an untapped gem. Though a rookie, his drawing has captivated the public.
His portrait is not just a visual representation of a person as it will also reveal something about the essence of the person.
A self-taught artist, Chai, 24, is determined to succeed in the art where no locals dare to venture in.
“The success of my endeavour depends on the level of support I get from others,” he said during an interview at his mother’s coffee shop yesterday.
A Bio-Industrial Technology graduate from University Malaysia Kelantan, Chai understands that the road to success is a long and winding one which requires hard work and perseverance.
Since portrait drawing is still newly recognised, it is a little difficult for him to venture into the matter immediately.
“Now, I am going to have a full time job and can draw during my free time. Only when I am well established that I will go full time in it,” he reckoned.
Chai discovered his talent for drawing when he was in Form two at SMK Bandar Sibu when he did a portrait for a classmate. However, he started to get serious in it when he was in fifth form.
Starting from scratch, he has to go through trial and error to perfect his skill. He has to choose the right pencils, whether it is 2B, HB, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6 or a mixture of all.
“I have also gained valuable tips from watching tutorials on YouTube. In a portrait drawing, it has to be ensured that every feature of the face, such as the eyes, must be at the right place; not too far or near from each other.
Starting out, he said he advertised himself by distributing flyers to people in the street. This includes during the One Malaysia Food Fair at the town square on Dec 2016.
Since Oct 2016, when he started ‘commercialising’ his skill, he has received a lot of orders. He charged a minimal fee for each drawing. It costs between RM20 to 30 for a head with shoulder drawing, RM50 (one head with half body), RM90 (one head with whole body) and RM50 for two heads with shoulders.
However, one needs to add between RM5 to RM15 to include the drawing of clothes.
“Most people make portrait drawing as a birthday gift to their loved ones. I have family members who want me to draw pictures of them,” he said.
“I usually spend five hours for drawing and eight hours for colouring,’ he specified.
Chai does not draw with a customer in front of him but through a photograph. This makes it easier for him and his customers, as they do not have to sit for long hours waiting on the completion of the masterpiece.
While the face is often the focal point, the inclusion of other objects is adding interesting elements to his artwork.
“At times, I will use my imagination for the background and the attire. I have customers telling me that they like my drawing,” he added.
Chai, who has a strong support from his parents, is contemplating on doing colour drawing.
“Coloured ones need longer time to complete. It is also more difficult as it requires the skill and knowledge to choose the right colour mixtures for the human skin,” he said.
Having excelled in black and white drawing, he is confident that with hard work and practices, he can be equally good in it.
