Tianyin Wang ASWLA ASGFA is an artist working primarily in charcoal drawing.Born in 1986 he is currently based in New Forest, UK. He received his BA (Illustration) from Arts University Bournemouth in 2009 receiving a New Blood Awardfrom D&AD the same year.Between 2009-2015 he worked as a digital-based editorial illustrator with prestigious clients including Oxford University Press Bloomsbury Publishing and STYLIST magazine. From 2015 Tianyin started to develop his unique charcoal drawing technique using a combination ofdifferent charcoals to achieve a distinctive look. This unique style is best described as “motion impressionism”.
Growing up in the New Forest, how did your surroundings influence your artistic sensibilities, especially your move toward charcoal drawing?
New Forest is known for its heathland, forest trails and native ponies. I always enjoy living in nature and there are plenty to learn from nature, as each flower is a different world.
From 2009 to 2015, you worked as a digital-based editorial illustrator for clients like Oxford University Press and Bloomsbury Publishing. What inspired you to transition from digital illustration to the hands-on, tactile nature of charcoal drawing?
We living in a digital world, creating a good looking picture is way easier than ever before, chatGPT can do a pretty job efficiently. However, drawing is the oldest way of creating in human history, it is the original expression of human’s mind, naturally and emotionally.
Your charcoal drawing technique is highly distinctive, combining different types of charcoal to create a unique effect. How did you come to develop this method, and what were some of the challenges you faced while refining it?
Flow and edge are the key points I care very much about my drawings. The soft vs hard is the contrast make delightful shape to look at, as music, transference. There is no colour, limited choices, so I have to learn to look the world differently, I could call it’s a challenge.
What emotions or themes are you most drawn to when creating your charcoal works? How do you convey these through the textures and layers of charcoal?
I learn the sharps, and design the shapes in my mind, normally there is a main geometric shape in each drawing. Less is more, I look for division rather than addition.
After making such a successful transition into charcoal drawing, how do you continue to push yourself creatively and explore new possibilities within this medium?
I am acutely currently working with oil on linen, some works will be ready soon. Art journey is a continuous self exploration, I used to only looking at shapes, now looking for more, more information, and more “environment”. As the world is moving into a different era rapidly, there are something I want to say with my future works. More“environment” involved. We will see…
With your extensive experience in both digital and traditional art forms, what advice would you give to artists trying to find their own signature style in today’s fast-evolving art world?
“Ask yourself what you truly love. Never use tactical diligence to cover up strategic laziness”
How do you feel about showing your work in LA and working with Art Solutions?
The US is the biggest art market in the world, and that’s a huge opportunity for any artist. Without an audience or supporters, it’s tough to make a living from art, so being part of this market is really important. I was in LA a few years ago, and it’s such a vibrant place. You don’t have to travel far to experience different cultures or art—it’s all here. Now, being able to show my work in LA with Art Solutions is something I’m proud of. They’ve helped introduce my work to new audiences, and I’m excited to see how it resonates here.
