The Nigerian artist Alex Peter Idoko makes beautiful drawings without a pencil, pen or brush. Instead, the 30-year-old artist uses pyrography – or wood burning – to bring his subjects to life. With this unconventional technique, he masterfully fires the delicate textures of people’s skin and hair until they resemble hyper-realistic portraits.
Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Idoko has been passionate about portraiture since he was a student. While his practice began in graphite, charcoal and pastel, he was eventually drawn to pyrography art for its powerful visual effects. This process requires him to torch the surface of wood until it reaches the desired darkness, occasionally relying on a razor blade to scrape off excess. His portfolio of work ranges from conventional portraiture to surreal depictions that emphasize black storytelling.
†[Idoko’s] works refer to African reality, he is mainly concerned with writing, rebranding and editing the black story by putting the blacks of each continent in the spotlight while addressing the issues and challenges that surround them and also creating positive images that serve as a poll for the new generation [of] Africans/blacks born and unborn”, reads the artist’s website. “These works of art were created to give a voice to anyone who does not have the power to speak in the public domain about sensitive issues affecting humanity, which he then skillfully executes as realism.”
You can purchase prints of Idoko’s artwork through his website and keep up to date with the artist’s latest projects by following him on Instagram.
Nigerian artist Alex Peter Idoko “draws” hyper-realistic portraits by burning wood in a process called pyrography art.
This involves burning and scraping a piece of wood (the canvas) until it achieves realistic textures.
Each incredible piece of art is a powerful, thought-provoking piece.
Viewers are encouraged to thoroughly examine Idoko’s work, although it can be difficult at times.
Watch this video for more insight into Idoko’s process:
That’s how I draw with Fire on Wood. Progress phase pic.twitter.com/g8fu8cRe0h
— AlexPeter_Idoko (@Alexpeter_idoko) Apr 4, 2022
Drawing a new progress phase of mine with Fire on Wood.
Mixed medium, Fire x charcoal on wood pic.twitter.com/MxuTGJnLfS— AlexPeter_Idoko (@Alexpeter_idoko) Apr 25, 2022
Alex Peter Idoko: Website | Instagram | Twitter
My Modern Met has given permission to show photos of Alex Peter Idoko.
Related articles:
Realistic drawing of a catfish that seems to swim off the page
Artist makes giant “Memento Mori” drawing of a skeleton full of plants
Architectural drawings come alive with “glowing” windows