As previously said, this blog is more than just me talking about life and things; it is also a platform for me to share my artwork. I do a lot of portrait drawing and used to do commissions, but I’m taking a hiatus now to focus on writing.
This is a portrait of the South Korean actor Jang Hyuk. Of course I’m a big fan. The reference photograph for this portrait was taken during the Gangneung (English title: Tomb of the River / Paid In Blood) press junket in 2021.
Jang Hyuk starred in Gangneung, a 2021 crime noir film. Jang Hyuk played Lee Min-Seok, a Seoul crime lord who found himself in conflict with another gang leader, Chairman Oh, over a newly built resort in Gangneung. Gangneung is a seaside city in Gangwon-do province, on South Korea’s east coast.
I watched this film when it was released in 2021, and because it is noir, there are many gruesome fights between the two criminal gangs. There are no romantic scenes in the film, and the sole female character is Eun-Seon, who sold her body to Min Seok to pay off her debts. Unless you enjoy the noir genre, this film is not for you. It is dark and violent. I just watched it because of Jang Hyuk.
Two of Jang Hyuk’s real-life friends, Shin Seung-hwan and Choi Ki-Seop, played Min Seok’s sidekicks.
The reference image is taken from a fan’s Instagram page. This is the link to the source image.
Materials I used:
- 165gsm acid-free paper
- Mars Lumograph Black pencils
- Derwent Graphic pencils
- Black marker
- Black pen
- Black and silver color pencils
- Sakura White Gelly Roll pen
And the progress photos:
And here is the completed portrait…
Olivia's Atelier 