Our in-studio gallery recently exhibited the works of Mayer/Reed visual communications designer, Sabrina Obeso. The eight monochrome portraits represent her artistic journey into realism and the study of light, shadow, contrast and precision. Her subjects range from cultural icons to horror monsters, each selected for their expressive features.
Trained in fine art, Sabrina is obsessed with details and gravitates toward the challenges of realistic portraiture, a genre she describes as “one of the hardest things to get right, as there’s no room for error.” Working in pencil, charcoal, graphite and ink, she layers media to heighten contrast. Her devotion to working in black and white allows her to isolate and emphasize tonal depth without the distraction of color.
A process of spontaneity and reflection shapes each portrait. Sabrina doesn’t keep a sketchbook or follow a set routine. Inspiration hits when it hits. She begins pieces in bursts of inspiration, allowing the initial form to emerge quickly. Then she steps away, sometimes for days, before returning with fresh eyes. “When I come back to it, I immediately know what it needs and I focus in on the detail.”
