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Street artist finds inspiration, unparalleled beauty in people’s faces

By Dana Al Emam - Aug 28,2014 - Last updated at Aug 28,2014

AMMAN — The curved lines and details of human faces not only fascinate Ahmad Aqel, but are also clues for him to read the faces of those posing in front of him to create instant charcoal portraits.

“My experience in drawing portraits for over 14 years has developed my understanding of others only by looking at their faces,” the 33-year-old street painter told The Jordan Times, describing the image of humans as “the most precious thing on earth”. 

The streets and popular events are his art galleries and passers-by are his guests.

“I draw live and display my paintings in front of the University of Jordan’s main gate and on King Faisal Street in downtown Amman,” Aqel said, adding that he draws at Souk JARA and the Amman Citadel Festival.  

The artist gives drawing lessons, mainly to university students majoring in arts and architecture, yet he wants to preserve the simplicity in his work. 

“Some businessmen offered to open a small gallery for me where I can display my paintings and teach drawing but I refused because they wanted me to charge customers more.  I do not seek to make a fortune out of what I do… I want to keep it simple,” he said in a recent interview.

Since childhood, Aqel was inspired by Handhala, a famous caricature by Palestinian cartoonist Naji Al Ali which later became a symbol for the Palestinian resistance, and was enthralled by how a drawing or a symbol can sum up several meanings and emotions.

“Step by step, I moved from drawing cartoons and extremely simple sketches into caricatures with quick yet effective social and political commentary,” the artist said, adding that he quit school at the age of 17 after which he was mentored by Iraqi artist Saad Nuaimi for six months.

“Nuaimi taught me the very basic techniques of drawing and introduced me to the various tools and equipment.”

Aqel’s first portrait, which took him around five hours to finish, was of the Lebanese singer, Fairuz.

“My family did not support me, believing that I should pay attention to my studies… they consider drawing a mere hobby,” he said, noting that those who underestimate art did not stop him, while his great motivation was the smile on people’s faces when they see their portraits.

Aqel learned from other artists, attended several art exhibitions and read many books that explore European and Persian painting techniques, which he later incorporated in his work, especially in representing age in portraits.

The artist acknowledged that drawing live portraits is not easy at all.

“I trained by looking at myself in the mirror with various facial expressions and I sketched my own reflection for an entire year before I started drawing people live on the streets.” 

Recent technological advancements and the creation of the Internet have helped Aqel to learn about established painters worldwide and view artistic sculptures and exhibitions.

“People always prefer anything made with human hands… and art gives the artist pleasure when his drawings make people happy,” Aqel said, noting that he draws daily for six to 14 hours, learning something new every day.

A single portrait takes him around an hour, or 15 minutes in the case of live sketches, and costs between JD20 and JD80 depending on the dimensions.

“I invested my money in building myself a house, which I also use as a workshop, and I dream of buying myself a small shop where I can display my drawings,” he added.

Aqel urged the Ministry of Education and schools to give further attention to art classes and to educate the younger generation on the importance and value of art.  

“Art gives the artist a distinguished character and a beautiful soul.”

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