My name is Kay Lee. I’m Malaysian. I use a white pencil to capture light and expression on black paper. I especially like to picture artwork in a “low-key” mode, contrast, and dramatic lighting effect, with lots of shadows. It gives depth, mood, feeling, and emotion, with a quiet and mysterious atmosphere. And I like accentuated forms with clean looks too, as I think it can give more substantial visual impact; illumination on a specific portion of the image with very selective use of light can help me to achieve that.
I graduated from Nanjing University of the Arts, where I majored in oil painting. Yes, I’m academically trained in traditional art. Still, I have a great interest in mixed media art ranging from drawing to painting in various kinds of mediums, even digital illustrations, public installations, etc.
More info: Instagram | saatchiart.com | Facebook
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I chose the crosshatching technique purposely because it can create a variety of textures. In this project, I used an oil-based pencil to draw, because it can create smooth, creamy, and delicate lines. I chose fine grain paper to draw, so textured crosshatching lines can pair with it to enhance the contrast in the overall presentation.
In this project, I take intense light as the main composition element. For me, I think it’s quite practical to work with the crosshatching technique because it allows me to create a full range of value with different quality of edges. At the same time, I think I’m trying to convey the relationship between light and crosshatching, experiment on various kinds of expressions, and try to give them a fresh look. In the drawing process, I make the forms slowly emerge stroke by stroke and layer by layer. Sometimes I felt that I was using a pencil to weave light, using pencil strokes as if I knit my drawing.
I currently have a few experimental directions. One of them is to move this drawing project further into bigger sizes and painting forms. I want to divide it into two parts. One is to use traditional painting mediums; another is to use contemporary painting mediums, still taking time in fixing the relationship between this drawing project with painting mediums mainly in both visual language and technical perspective. At the moment, I’m still feeling free to explore different kinds of subject matter. Do you like my sketches, or perhaps want to see more? Then follow me on my social media linked above. I hope you like it!
I especially loved this one. Simplicity, the unique perspective. Thanks for sharing this👍❤️
I love how you use different techniques together and not together. And some drawings are bare minimal but say so much.
Astonishing ability to see it in your mind, share it on paper and allow people to see your heart.
What amazes me is that you don't need to see the shoulder to know the dragon is sitting on it, if that makes any sense.
I am gobsmacked by these. Goethe described color as "troubled light" and added that he found no more troubling color than black itself. Art critics have pointed out over the years that both Velázquez and Goya, through their paintings, made black accepted as its own true color. The positive/negative dualities of these works and their simplified structures serve to isolate the qualities of their interlocked forms. What better metaphor for these times than our own interconnected isolation? It has been said that one cannot be considered a true artist until they have executed a worthy grisaille. You have done that here. Please don't give up on your excellent and splendid efforts!
I see that cats have evolved to use computers now 😉
Load More Replies...I just bought a black paper sketchbook, and I'm having a hard time getting the hang of basically drawing in negative, so this is very welcome inspiration! Some of these are just stunning :)
For me, a good way to start out with black paper drawing was to think in terms of what was 'closest' to me/the viewer. Whatever protruded the most got the most white pigment. Almost like a topographical map. Then, I moved on to rendering more realistic lighting, etc.
Load More Replies...I'd always wondered what the white pencil was for. It seemed pointless to me as a child.
I admire your skills, really wonderful pictures! Do you do commissioned work (portrait)? I'd love to hear your answer.
I love that you used the word skills! So many people throw the word 'talent' around like its a compliment, when it really just effaces all the work and practice that went into developing the skill they're trying to compliment. I know this might seem like a pointless comment, but people saying things like 'I wish I was born with that talent' really gets my goat and comments like yours make me happy :)
Load More Replies...Stunning, stunning, stunning! You have a rare, extremely special talent. Your art will go far! Also, I want to try this now.
These drawings are SO beautiful! They are soft and expressive and the ones in yellow pencil are so real that they look like they will walk off the paper. What a talented artst.
Never seen such incredible work. Simplicity in it's purest form Just beautiful 💖
so unique and absolutely stunning. love how it give the fuzzy quality of light through kitten fur in some of these. very interesting and beautiful technique.
Absolute Brilliance! Amazing how the mind can fill in the empty spaces.
I think what I appreciated most was the minimalist approach. Having looked at them once, I must look at them, again, to really "see" them. Thanks for showing them.
I am gobsmacked by these. Goethe described color as "troubled light" and added that he found no more troubling color than black itself. Art critics have pointed out over the years that both Velázquez and Goya, through their paintings, made black accepted as its own true color. The positive/negative dualities of these works and their simplified structures serve to isolate the qualities of their interlocked forms. What better metaphor for these times than our own interconnected isolation? It has been said that one cannot be considered a true artist until they have executed a worthy grisaille. You have done that here. Please don't give up on your excellent and splendid efforts!
I see that cats have evolved to use computers now 😉
Load More Replies...I just bought a black paper sketchbook, and I'm having a hard time getting the hang of basically drawing in negative, so this is very welcome inspiration! Some of these are just stunning :)
For me, a good way to start out with black paper drawing was to think in terms of what was 'closest' to me/the viewer. Whatever protruded the most got the most white pigment. Almost like a topographical map. Then, I moved on to rendering more realistic lighting, etc.
Load More Replies...I'd always wondered what the white pencil was for. It seemed pointless to me as a child.
I admire your skills, really wonderful pictures! Do you do commissioned work (portrait)? I'd love to hear your answer.
I love that you used the word skills! So many people throw the word 'talent' around like its a compliment, when it really just effaces all the work and practice that went into developing the skill they're trying to compliment. I know this might seem like a pointless comment, but people saying things like 'I wish I was born with that talent' really gets my goat and comments like yours make me happy :)
Load More Replies...Stunning, stunning, stunning! You have a rare, extremely special talent. Your art will go far! Also, I want to try this now.
These drawings are SO beautiful! They are soft and expressive and the ones in yellow pencil are so real that they look like they will walk off the paper. What a talented artst.
Never seen such incredible work. Simplicity in it's purest form Just beautiful 💖
so unique and absolutely stunning. love how it give the fuzzy quality of light through kitten fur in some of these. very interesting and beautiful technique.
Absolute Brilliance! Amazing how the mind can fill in the empty spaces.
I think what I appreciated most was the minimalist approach. Having looked at them once, I must look at them, again, to really "see" them. Thanks for showing them.