Ian Sklarsky is an artist who creates blind contour portraits using pen, ink, and water color.[1] Inspired by how blind contour requires an artist to remain focused on the subject without distraction, Sklarsky’s ongoing series of artworks are drawn with just a single line and without looking at the sketch until finished.[2] Ian first learned the traditional method of blind contour drawing during a high school art class. By 2012, he had completed over 700 portraits spanning five years including life-size format group pictures.[3] His works have been exhibited in New York City fashion shows,[4] hotels,[5] restaurants,[6] and galleries.[7] In September 2014, Guest of a Guest named Sklarsky[8] as one of NYC's most creative power players – from the worlds of fashion, art, media and beyond.[9] Sklarsky’s drawings were featured throughout the 2015 Oslo Freedom Forum where he used his technique to draw live portraits of the event’s speakers.[10]

Ian Sklarsky
Ian Sklarsky in Cape Town, South Africa
Born
Ian Lee Sklarsky

(1982-03-13) March 13, 1982 (age 42)
West Islip, New York, United States
OccupationArtist
Years active2007 – present
Websiteiansklarsky.com

The Bernic Hotel in Manhattan commissioned Ian Sklarsky as mixed media artist-in-residence in 2015.[11] In spring of 2016, Sklarsky developed an adult coloring book in collaboration with Yotel featuring iconic New York City imagery.[12] In October 2016, TED (conference) invited Sklarsky to give a live demo of his style of blind contour drawing in Cape Town South Africa.[13][14]

Ian Sklarsky with Viktor and Kateryna Yushchenko
Ian Sklarsky with Viktor Yushchenko and Kateryna Yushchenko at the 2015 Oslo Freedom Forum
Ian Sklarsky Portrait
Blind contour portrait, 2015
Dave Audé, Betty White, Luciana, and Ian Sklarsky
Dave Audé, Betty White, Luciana (singer), and Ian Sklarsky at the 'I'm Still Hot' premiere in LA

References

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  1. ^ Fazooli, Julie (21 February 2012). "Blind Contour Artist Ian Sklarsky". Abominable Ink.
  2. ^ Xiao Qi, Aqila (9 December 2015). "Artist Draws Whimsical Single-Line Portraits Without Looking At The Paper - DesignTAXI.com". designtaxi.com.
  3. ^ Day, Karen (14 February 2012). "Ian Sklarsky". Cool Hunting.
  4. ^ "#HerSource: Maison Jules Fashion Presentation". The Source. 4 September 2014.
  5. ^ Walsh, Nora (24 June 2016). "7 New Hotels in New York City". The New York Times.
  6. ^ "At Omar's Restaurant". www.plumevoyage.fr.
  7. ^ "David E. Peterson, Emil Alzamora, Gio Peter Black, HANKSY, Ian Sklarsky, Jeffrey Owen Ralston, John Wenrich, Matt Colagiuri, Olek, Shaun O'Connor "Outside The Box" at Krause Gallery | Artcards New York". artcards.cc.
  8. ^ "You Should Know: Ian Sklarsky". Guest of a Guest.
  9. ^ "New York | Guest of a Guest | YOU SHOULD KNOW NEW YORK". Guest of a Guest.
  10. ^ "Meet the Artists of the 2015 Oslo Freedom Forum | News | Human Rights Foundation". Human Rights Foundation. 15 May 2015.
  11. ^ "Hospitality Net - Urban Exploration Meets Global Inspiration at The Bernic". Hospitality Net. 9 November 2015.
  12. ^ Frank, Priscilla (10 March 2016). "'Blind Contouring' May Just Be The New Adult Coloring Book Craze". The Huffington Post.
  13. ^ "TEDxCapeTown 2016". TEDxCapeTown 2016 Programme.
  14. ^ "Ian Sklarsky". TEDx Cape Town YouTube Channel. 1 December 2016.