Make Big Money as a Charcoal Sketch Artist by Kevin Stone

The same can be said for his portraits of other famous celebrities, such as Steve Harvey and Tiffany Haddish. Each hyperrealistic piece is impressive on its own, but when the model poses beside it and the viewer is able to see the resemblance between the two-dimensional drawing and the real thing, it puts Yusuf's masterful skills in perspective. While his process can take numerous hours, the results are worth it. Yusuf expertly blends charcoal on the paper to render these various hues. “I identify as a hyperrealism charcoal artist, although I occasionally implement the use of other mediums such as graphite, pen, and colored pencils.” His large-scale drawings capture every detail of his subjects, from the textures of different fabrics to the luminous quality of the skin. “Through art, I am able to create a world that competes with the camera and amazes people,” the artist says on his website. Since then, Yusuf has continued making captivating charcoal art that looks just like his subjects.

Unsurprisingly, the American was floored when he came across the piece and offered to purchase the drawing and commission portraits for other celebrities. The Nigeria-based artist became an internet sensation in 2019 when he shared a portrait of comedian Kevin Hart on Twitter, hoping that his idol would see it.

From afar, it may seem like the artworks of Eli Wudufa Yusuf are black and white photographs, but in fact, each one is a hyperrealistic charcoal drawing.

Make Big Money as a Charcoal Sketch Artist by Kevin Stone