8 ms·

Nigerian artist, age 11, creates incredible hyperreal portraits

48 points by dosy 8y ago

drcode 8y ago
I hate to be all jaded about things, but this is the second story I've seen on this boy, and I feel like he falls under the "extraordinary claims require extraordinarily evidence" umbrella. These are charcoal-based sketches, and for that style of art a majority of the artistry lies in image choice and finishing detail of the sketch (and a little bit in the presketch, though that's trainable if he's using a reference image.) I would like to have better evidence that these parts weren't just done by an adult, because without it, this boy is arguably a once-in-generation genius, and that is an extraordinary claim.
- djsumdog 8y ago
  Hmm.. The video doesn't seems to show him in process. Stephen Wiltshire has several time-lapses and videos of him in various stages of the drawing process. Maybe we'll get a reporter that records a time lapse at some point, or maybe not if it's really the work of an adult.
  - akuji1993 8y ago
    I know it's not always Occam's razor, but in this case I tend to be the party pooper. This was probably drawn by an adult and now they try to make it a story. There are amazing young artists out there, but this kind of detail, the boy either learned how to draw one or two specific pictures again and again or somebody has helped with this. I might also be wrong and we've seen the next art child prodigy, but I doubt it.
    - kevindqc 8y ago
      What about this? https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/04/africa/nigerian-boy-paints-french-president/index.html https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/04/africa/nigerian-boy-paint...
      - akuji1993 8y ago
        That obviously couldn't be taught by an adult, so the child would be able to specifically draw that one picture...
  - drcode 8y ago
    Yeah, a timelapse of his full process would be appropriate evidence here. If one exists and someone could share a link that would be great.
  - ainiriand 8y ago
    Take this with a grain of salt. But I have a friend that is a very bright artist since she was a child. Not this level of skill, but really really close with the chalks. I say that it is 'possible' but unlikely.
- throwawayqdhd 8y ago
  Mozart was writing symphonies by this age. Prodigies exist in every field. Is there a geographical bias in your skepticism? Would you be as skeptical if this kid was from Norway or Sweden or Austria?
  - xtrapolate 8y ago
    > "Is there a geographical bias in your skepticism? Would you be as skeptical if this kid was from Norway or Sweden or Austria?" Nothing in the parent comment implies a so-called "geographical bias", yet there you are accusing them of being racist.
    - coldtea 8y ago
      "Implies" means it doesn't have to be spelt out -- it can linger below the surface. And whether implied or not, it's a legitimate question to ask. E.g. if the kid was asian would as many have the same suspicion given the same evidence (or lack thereof)?
      - throwawayqdhd 8y ago
        Look at everyone in these replies pretending to be race blind. If this kid was Asian, you'd just go "eh, Asian prodigies" and not give it any further attention.
      - carlmr 8y ago
        I have the same feeling here. Although I think it's true that scrutiny is advised in all cases, I don't think I've seen such a critical comment section before.
  - ihsw2 8y ago
    There's nothing wrong with having a geographic bias in skepticism, Nigeria is not a historical source of innovation. This is not necessarily a bad thing, if anything it elevates this boy's achievements even more and puts his talents in the realm of once-in-a-thousand-generations.
  - 8y ago
- ramblerman 8y ago
  He draw Macron as well, recently, under quite a bit of media scrutiny: https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/04/africa/nigerian-boy-paints-french-president/index.html https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/04/africa/nigerian-boy-paint...
- coldtea 8y ago
  >I would like to have better evidence that these parts weren't just done by an adult, because without it, this boy is arguably a once-in-generation genius, and that is an extraordinary claim. Hardly. Such photorealistic portraits are impressive, and very impressive for a 13 yo boy, but nothing "extraordinary" to achieve, and much less a sign of an "once-in-generation genius". The right technique, many hours devotion, and starting from around 6 would get similar results to most kids -- like tons of kids at 13 can play Chopin on the piano, and are not "once-in-generation geniuses", but run of the mill tiger-mom kids...
  - protonimitate 8y ago
    Agreed. Hyper-realism, while impressive to look at, is not really all that difficult to achieve mechanically (relatively, of course). Even if the finishing wasn't done by an adult, I don't think it's the mark of genius. Artistic genius is about synthesizing multiple styles and histories and creating something novel, or re-presenting something old and tired in a new way. If this is the sole work of the kid, he has a great eye and fantastic mechanical abilities - but 'once in a lifetime genius' may be overselling it just a bit.
    - Karuma 8y ago
      Indeed. This is the easiest kind of "art" (I wouldn't even call it that, as art means something else to me). Just look around any portrait painting on YouTube, there's millions of them with this kid's same results. Anyone can become a human copy machine with various simple methods. There's a reason why all of his pictures just look like a photograph with zero creativity. (The same reason why great painters stopped trying to achieve hyper-realism since~ van Gogh and the invention/popularization of the photographic camera...)
      - coldtea 8y ago
        Exactly. Plus even for the masters that could totally achieve hyper-realism, the key to their work was never its realism.
      - 8y ago
- hugh4life 8y ago
  Check out his instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waspa_art/ https://www.instagram.com/waspa_art/
enriquto 8y ago
You can achieve similarly striking paintings by projecting a very cool photograph into paper and then painting it over the projection. I remember as a kid when my father brought a projector for the weekend, and my sister and me spend the time copying photographs this way. It helps to project the image upside down, so you can focus better in the colors than in the 3d structures.
- fredley 8y ago
  Before electronic (or even electric) projectors were around, professional artists were using device called a camera obscura[1] with similar results (though obviously dependent on natural illumination). There is much debate over whether great painters such as Vermeer used a camera obscura as early as the 17th century. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_obscura#1650_to_1800:_Introduction_of_the_magic_lantern,_popular_portable_box-type_drawing_aid,_painting_aid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_obscura#1650_to_1800:_I...
deleted 8y ago
[deleted]
teamhappy 8y ago
He has videos on his Instagram that show him starting from scratch, live painting President Macron (no idea when that happened) and more.
WhATiSCaMeLcaSE 8y ago
I feel that a disproportionate attention goes towards the chronological age of young achievers. Suppose he's had 3 years of intensive practice. I'd like to live in a world where a 50 year old, who has spent 3 years practising, get the same amount of praise. IMO, this whole 'Look at what this 15 year old can do!' needs to change to 'Look at what 4 years of practice can get you'.
- golergka 8y ago
  On a related note, I'm a bit annoyed by the attention people pay to rather boring realistic art. I'm actually conflicted about it, because on the other hand, a teenager investing his time and effert into a skill like this is awesome, and I do hope that he pursuits art later in life. But the pictures themselves...
  - Karuma 8y ago
    That's to be expected. We're amazed by the realism of the pictures of pre-photography times, although nowadays anyone can achieve even better results with some simple copy methods and a photo. Kind of sad to see in every art subreddit just "human-photocopied" pictures being upvoted (extra points if you digitally color-picked all shades of color from the photography, besides the usual tracing of every line) instead of real, creative art...
  - nerdponx 8y ago
    To the untrained eye, this looks much more challenging than something more abstract. I am untrained myself, and I'd appreciate an explanation of why this isn't technically interesting. It's not like every art school grad can do this.
    - specialist 8y ago
      It appears Kareem Waris Olamilekan is working freehand. Very impressive. Drawing (drafting) with charcoal is challenging. Even when you're "just" copying. The mind reels at what this young artist would do with better tools, materials, mentorship. Even the master's had their tricks to achieve realism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Vermeer#Theories_of_mechanical_aid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Vermeer#Theories_of_m...
throwaway77790 8y ago
Comments seen here are the worst knee jerk reactions. Massive skepticism without doing any research whatsoever. You can easily go to google and find out he was with Macron. Why would a French President seek to be part of a ploy to deceive anyone about a young artist drawing him live would be beyond belief. Second is the reactions downplaying what he can do. Seriously, it doesn't matter what you think another person could do. "Have any kid at age 6 and they could achieve this." It is hard enough to get motivation from failing many times to do something. How many of your personal or even business projects have panned out? And some of you wonder why another commenter pointed out geographic bias as the source of the negativity? Whatever your negativity, it is disgusting.
- drcode 8y ago
  > Massive skepticism without doing any research whatsoever That's what the comments section on HN is for, we're having a conversation here to learn about the story at greater depth.
  - throwaway77790 8y ago
    Yes and I threw skepticism on your and other's skepticism. This is what the comments section is on HN for no? Generally a comment without research is ignorant. You would expect this kind of skepticism if you cannot find anything, but here we are.
OoTheNigerian 8y ago
Hackernews refuses to disappoint. I bet the comments would have be less sceptical if it was about an 11 year old Nigerian cyber fraudster. Sorry lads, positive stuff comes out from my country from time to time. Just don't get too upset when it makes Hackernews. Personally, I'd like to see comments on how such a young and extraordinary talent from a very humble background (even by Nigerian standards) can develop to become a much more rounded artist. I'm not interested in prejudiced minds questioning the legitimacy of my young and talented compatriot.
KboPAacDA3 8y ago
Given enough time, any person can create a wonderful work of art -- or even software. I learned this while working for a college art department and seeing the faculty evaluate portfolios for scholarships. Looking at a beautiful pencil sketch, they would point out telltale strokes that revealed the time spent on the piece but not mastered skill. That's OK, it was a beautiful accomplishment, and the college could give them the skills. I think of this when I dream of software projects that I want to accomplish. If I just start now, and steadily work toward the goal, learning as I go, eventually it will come to be.

48 points by dosy 8y ago

I hate to be all jaded about things, but this is the second story I've seen on this boy, and I feel like he falls under the "extraordinary claims require extraordinarily evidence" umbrella. These are charcoal-based sketches, and for that style of art a majority of the artistry lies in image choice and finishing detail of the sketch (and a little bit in the presketch, though that's trainable if he's using a reference image.) I would like to have better evidence that these parts weren't just done by an adult, because without it, this boy is arguably a once-in-generation genius, and that is an extraordinary claim.

djsumdog 8y ago
Hmm.. The video doesn't seems to show him in process. Stephen Wiltshire has several time-lapses and videos of him in various stages of the drawing process. Maybe we'll get a reporter that records a time lapse at some point, or maybe not if it's really the work of an adult.
- akuji1993 8y ago
  I know it's not always Occam's razor, but in this case I tend to be the party pooper. This was probably drawn by an adult and now they try to make it a story. There are amazing young artists out there, but this kind of detail, the boy either learned how to draw one or two specific pictures again and again or somebody has helped with this. I might also be wrong and we've seen the next art child prodigy, but I doubt it.
  - kevindqc 8y ago
    What about this? https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/04/africa/nigerian-boy-paints-french-president/index.html https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/04/africa/nigerian-boy-paint...
    - akuji1993 8y ago
      That obviously couldn't be taught by an adult, so the child would be able to specifically draw that one picture...
- drcode 8y ago
  Yeah, a timelapse of his full process would be appropriate evidence here. If one exists and someone could share a link that would be great.
- ainiriand 8y ago
  Take this with a grain of salt. But I have a friend that is a very bright artist since she was a child. Not this level of skill, but really really close with the chalks. I say that it is 'possible' but unlikely.
throwawayqdhd 8y ago
Mozart was writing symphonies by this age. Prodigies exist in every field. Is there a geographical bias in your skepticism? Would you be as skeptical if this kid was from Norway or Sweden or Austria?
- xtrapolate 8y ago
  > "Is there a geographical bias in your skepticism? Would you be as skeptical if this kid was from Norway or Sweden or Austria?" Nothing in the parent comment implies a so-called "geographical bias", yet there you are accusing them of being racist.
  - coldtea 8y ago
    "Implies" means it doesn't have to be spelt out -- it can linger below the surface. And whether implied or not, it's a legitimate question to ask. E.g. if the kid was asian would as many have the same suspicion given the same evidence (or lack thereof)?
    - throwawayqdhd 8y ago
      Look at everyone in these replies pretending to be race blind. If this kid was Asian, you'd just go "eh, Asian prodigies" and not give it any further attention.
    - carlmr 8y ago
      I have the same feeling here. Although I think it's true that scrutiny is advised in all cases, I don't think I've seen such a critical comment section before.
- ihsw2 8y ago
  There's nothing wrong with having a geographic bias in skepticism, Nigeria is not a historical source of innovation. This is not necessarily a bad thing, if anything it elevates this boy's achievements even more and puts his talents in the realm of once-in-a-thousand-generations.
- 8y ago
ramblerman 8y ago
He draw Macron as well, recently, under quite a bit of media scrutiny: https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/04/africa/nigerian-boy-paints-french-president/index.html https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/04/africa/nigerian-boy-paint...
coldtea 8y ago
>I would like to have better evidence that these parts weren't just done by an adult, because without it, this boy is arguably a once-in-generation genius, and that is an extraordinary claim. Hardly. Such photorealistic portraits are impressive, and very impressive for a 13 yo boy, but nothing "extraordinary" to achieve, and much less a sign of an "once-in-generation genius". The right technique, many hours devotion, and starting from around 6 would get similar results to most kids -- like tons of kids at 13 can play Chopin on the piano, and are not "once-in-generation geniuses", but run of the mill tiger-mom kids...
- protonimitate 8y ago
  Agreed. Hyper-realism, while impressive to look at, is not really all that difficult to achieve mechanically (relatively, of course). Even if the finishing wasn't done by an adult, I don't think it's the mark of genius. Artistic genius is about synthesizing multiple styles and histories and creating something novel, or re-presenting something old and tired in a new way. If this is the sole work of the kid, he has a great eye and fantastic mechanical abilities - but 'once in a lifetime genius' may be overselling it just a bit.
  - Karuma 8y ago
    Indeed. This is the easiest kind of "art" (I wouldn't even call it that, as art means something else to me). Just look around any portrait painting on YouTube, there's millions of them with this kid's same results. Anyone can become a human copy machine with various simple methods. There's a reason why all of his pictures just look like a photograph with zero creativity. (The same reason why great painters stopped trying to achieve hyper-realism since~ van Gogh and the invention/popularization of the photographic camera...)
    - coldtea 8y ago
      Exactly. Plus even for the masters that could totally achieve hyper-realism, the key to their work was never its realism.
    - 8y ago
hugh4life 8y ago
Check out his instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waspa_art/ https://www.instagram.com/waspa_art/

enriquto 8y ago

You can achieve similarly striking paintings by projecting a very cool photograph into paper and then painting it over the projection. I remember as a kid when my father brought a projector for the weekend, and my sister and me spend the time copying photographs this way. It helps to project the image upside down, so you can focus better in the colors than in the 3d structures.

fredley 8y ago
Before electronic (or even electric) projectors were around, professional artists were using device called a camera obscura[1] with similar results (though obviously dependent on natural illumination). There is much debate over whether great painters such as Vermeer used a camera obscura as early as the 17th century. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_obscura#1650_to_1800:_Introduction_of_the_magic_lantern,_popular_portable_box-type_drawing_aid,_painting_aid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_obscura#1650_to_1800:_I...

deleted 8y ago

[deleted]

teamhappy 8y ago

He has videos on his Instagram that show him starting from scratch, live painting President Macron (no idea when that happened) and more.

WhATiSCaMeLcaSE 8y ago

I feel that a disproportionate attention goes towards the chronological age of young achievers. Suppose he's had 3 years of intensive practice. I'd like to live in a world where a 50 year old, who has spent 3 years practising, get the same amount of praise. IMO, this whole 'Look at what this 15 year old can do!' needs to change to 'Look at what 4 years of practice can get you'.

golergka 8y ago
On a related note, I'm a bit annoyed by the attention people pay to rather boring realistic art. I'm actually conflicted about it, because on the other hand, a teenager investing his time and effert into a skill like this is awesome, and I do hope that he pursuits art later in life. But the pictures themselves...
- Karuma 8y ago
  That's to be expected. We're amazed by the realism of the pictures of pre-photography times, although nowadays anyone can achieve even better results with some simple copy methods and a photo. Kind of sad to see in every art subreddit just "human-photocopied" pictures being upvoted (extra points if you digitally color-picked all shades of color from the photography, besides the usual tracing of every line) instead of real, creative art...
- nerdponx 8y ago
  To the untrained eye, this looks much more challenging than something more abstract. I am untrained myself, and I'd appreciate an explanation of why this isn't technically interesting. It's not like every art school grad can do this.
  - specialist 8y ago
    It appears Kareem Waris Olamilekan is working freehand. Very impressive. Drawing (drafting) with charcoal is challenging. Even when you're "just" copying. The mind reels at what this young artist would do with better tools, materials, mentorship. Even the master's had their tricks to achieve realism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Vermeer#Theories_of_mechanical_aid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Vermeer#Theories_of_m...

throwaway77790 8y ago

Comments seen here are the worst knee jerk reactions. Massive skepticism without doing any research whatsoever. You can easily go to google and find out he was with Macron. Why would a French President seek to be part of a ploy to deceive anyone about a young artist drawing him live would be beyond belief. Second is the reactions downplaying what he can do. Seriously, it doesn't matter what you think another person could do. "Have any kid at age 6 and they could achieve this." It is hard enough to get motivation from failing many times to do something. How many of your personal or even business projects have panned out? And some of you wonder why another commenter pointed out geographic bias as the source of the negativity? Whatever your negativity, it is disgusting.

drcode 8y ago
> Massive skepticism without doing any research whatsoever That's what the comments section on HN is for, we're having a conversation here to learn about the story at greater depth.
- throwaway77790 8y ago
  Yes and I threw skepticism on your and other's skepticism. This is what the comments section is on HN for no? Generally a comment without research is ignorant. You would expect this kind of skepticism if you cannot find anything, but here we are.

OoTheNigerian 8y ago

Hackernews refuses to disappoint. I bet the comments would have be less sceptical if it was about an 11 year old Nigerian cyber fraudster. Sorry lads, positive stuff comes out from my country from time to time. Just don't get too upset when it makes Hackernews. Personally, I'd like to see comments on how such a young and extraordinary talent from a very humble background (even by Nigerian standards) can develop to become a much more rounded artist. I'm not interested in prejudiced minds questioning the legitimacy of my young and talented compatriot.

KboPAacDA3 8y ago

Given enough time, any person can create a wonderful work of art -- or even software. I learned this while working for a college art department and seeing the faculty evaluate portfolios for scholarships. Looking at a beautiful pencil sketch, they would point out telltale strokes that revealed the time spent on the piece but not mastered skill. That's OK, it was a beautiful accomplishment, and the college could give them the skills. I think of this when I dream of software projects that I want to accomplish. If I just start now, and steadily work toward the goal, learning as I go, eventually it will come to be.