Self-taught artist in Wesselton brings portraits to life
"What I like most about making art is that I don't think about anything else but the drawing. All my focus is on what I do, which is great for me because I get to be myself while doing what I love."
WESSELTON – Mr Sandile Ndlangamandla (25) receives pleasant reaction whenever he displays his artwork.
Using only graphite pencils and paper, the Extension 2 resident brings portrait paintings to life.
Mr Ndlangamandla discovered his ability to draw when he was still in preschool in his hometown in KwaZulu-Natal, and has since worked to improve his skills.
“I recall my first attempt to draw. I tried to sketch Nelson Mandela after watching someone perform a speed painting of him on television. I went outside and tried to draw him in the sand. The drawing was really bad, but I am glad I tried, because I could only improve from there,” Mr Ndlangamandla said.
He said his artwork allows him to escape the harsh realities of the world and the obstacles he faces as an adult.
“What I like most about making art is that I don’t think about anything else but the drawing. All my focus is on what I do, which is great for me because I get to be myself while doing what I love.”
Depending on the page size and complexity of the artwork, his portraits can take up to two days to complete.
“I love admiring the final product of my work, knowing that I have poured my whole heart into it and that it’s genuinely beautiful, and also not having to work under anyone. Working on my own schedule makes it more fun.”
Read the complete article in the Highvelder.
