Vertex Week: creating a vibrant portrait with Ekundayo

Creating a vibrant portrait with Ekundayo

Vertex Week 2022 features artist Ekundayo, who takes us through his process of creating dynamic and vibrant portrait. Ekundayo, meaning 'Sorrow Becomes Joy', first discovered street art at the age of 11 while in the midst of a difficult and unstable childhood. This childhood now forms the basis of his artistic philosophy. 

Known for using his dark past to inspire dreamlike and vibrant artwork, Hawaiian-born Ekundayo mixes fine art and "the art of intuitive creation" using a range of materials including goache, ink, acrylics and carving – mimicking the effect of spray paint.

If you liked Ekundayo's tutorial on the art of graffiti, you'll also enjoy the debate by the Painted in Color podcast team, who discuss diversity in sci-fi and fantasy art. Want even more? Try contemporary illustrator Erik Ly's tutorial on digital illustration in Photoshop.

Falling short on resources for your art? Check out our best art supplies buying guide. And if you want to see even more amazing graffiti, our street art roundup has got you covered.

Read more:

• NFTs: All you need to know
• Best digital art software: Top software for creating art digitally
• Graffiti fonts: Add a splash of street to your designs