Windhoek
Although sketching may be a relaxing hobby for some artists, others choose to make it a career.
Local sketch artist, Eva-Risto Uushona, describes sketching as his biggest dream. He is also one of the upcoming sketch artists who have been selected as a finalist to take part in the Bank Windhoek 30×30 Art Competition this September. Eva-Risto says being chosen as one of the finalists will give him a platform to shine in the sketching circles, and to exhibit his own artworks. “I started doing sketches at early in my primary age, mostly drawing anything that comes in mind and turning them into cartoons,” says Eva-Risto.
He adds that drawing has been his passion ever since, although it is hard to take it to another level or furthering more due to financial difficulties. “At secondary school, I have started drawing cartoons on chalkboard just for fun and make people laugh,” he says determining that every time and everywhere all he wants to do is drawing and all the books he has are all about cartoons and drawing.
Currently a student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), studying towards his Bachelor of Technology in Economics, Eva-Risto says being at the university made him know more about drawing and how to use the pencils.
“My first realistic portrait was of my father though it was my first try out,” he says, adding that he only took sketching seriously as a career in 2014 when he met Plaiven Ydb, known as Youngish Tattooist, who first saw his first official portrait and introduced him to Hage Mukwendje, a renowned local sketch artist.
“Ever since, my interests in the sketch [has been higher]. I then started practicing more until I figured all the basics of sketching. I research more on how to be perfect and it helped me to improve on my techniques,” he says.