‘Tatler’ invited visual artist Man Tsang to illustrate 12 Asia’s Most Influential honourees for our covers, and he shares insights into his creative process and more
How did you feel about illustrating Tatler’s Asia’s Most Influential?
I’m honoured. I particularly enjoy drawing individuals who are professionally excellent. I also felt like the pressure was on—the honourees’ work spans so many fields, and I was worried that I might not have a good enough understanding of what they do and end up not being able to capture them properly.
Which portrait was most memorable to work on?
Edgar Cheung Ka-long. I had the privilege of witnessing his victorious moment at the Olympics on screen—and that left a lasting impression on me.
What’s behind your decision to specialise in portraiture?
Since the beginning [of my career] I’ve enjoyed depicting a range of emotions in the portrayal of people. To me, capturing human emotions is the most interesting part of my work.
Which artists have influenced your work?
Takehiko Inoue, Van Gogh and Rembrandt.
Who is the most influential person you have ever drawn?
Albert Einstein. He was someone deeply influential in science, politics and culture—one of the few true icons through history.
What is the most important thing to consider when you’re drawing someone?
Capturing their eyes is the most important aspect. If the eyes are not accurately depicted, regardless of how detailed the rest of the drawing is, it will appear as though the artwork has lost its soul.
A pen or computer— which do you prefer?
Pen. Despite the advancements in computerised drawing tools, I still can’t experience the sensation of “drawing” with the stroke of the [stylus]. Traditional paints possess unique textures and characteristics that evoke distinct feelings when the brush touches the canvas, and this cannot be replicated by digital painting tools, at least for now.
Any final thoughts?
I hope to continue improving my skills. My goal is to capture the essence of the subject’s emotions with the fewest possible strokes. I aspire to convey the utmost emotions with minimal brushwork.