Manos Felice
Manos Felice is a London based Pencil Artist from Anglo/Italian heritage. Working mostly in Graphite & Charcoal he produces highly detailed works in a photo realistic style.
Since becoming a professional artist in 2020, Manos has focused heavily on developing his craft by undertaking numerous studies in Anatomy, Photo-Realism, and Portraiture. In 2021 Manos successfully completed an MBA with the Professional Artist Institute.
In August 2021 he was featured in a competition by ‘Artists & Illustrators’ magazine with his piece entitled ‘Great White’ as Editor’s pick.
In May 2023 he exhibited for the first time with Harrow Art Society at The White Cube Gallery within Harrow Art Centre and received their ‘Ian Wright Memorial Prize’ award for best Graphite representation.
Previously, Manos expressed his creative talents through music, having been a professional percussionist for 20 years. Hearing difficulties caused a withdrawal from this profession, and he is now delighted to be creating again and expressing his new passion for drawing and art.
Artist Statement
It’s been said that not everything in life is Black and White!
For me, I find beauty and intrigue when exposed to the fundamental rawness of Black and White imagery. When I put pencil to paper, in Graphite or Charcoal, I experience a deeper appreciation for life’s subtleties by removing distractions of colour and focusing on forms, textures, shading and tone. It’s why I’m drawn to Photo-realism, as it arouses both my desire for expressing my truth and an innate attention for details.
I am seduced by the apparent simplicity of a pencil and like to explore the boundaries of what’s possible with these most basic of tools. Creating an artwork with pencils helps me to explore my inner sanctum, create peace within and at the same time examine my truth.
I strive to make an emotional connection that’s natural and offer the viewer an insight into a reality, with all it’s beauty in our projected world.
My Story
From Rhythm to Realism: A Drummer's Artistic Journey
For 22 years, music was my lifeblood. I traversed the world, studying Afro-Cuban rhythms with legends like Robin Jones, David Pattman and Rumberos de Cuba. It was a journey of discovery, connecting with cultures and the human spirit through the power of music.
Sadly, tinnitus forced me to step away from music in 2018. Lost and seeking solace, I rediscovered my childhood love for drawing during the pandemic. A single online course ignited a spark, and I haven't looked back.
Fuelled by an insatiable hunger to learn, I devoured online anatomy courses and portraiture workshops, drawn especially to the artworks of Robert Kelly. Studying under hyperrealist master Emanuele Dascanio was a revelation, further honing my meticulous eye for detail.
Today, I'm on a new artistic adventure. Merging my newfound skills, I'm forging my own path in the art world. With each piece, I explore the human experience, a melody translated into charcoal and graphite.