Ian Gray

Ian Gray is a self-taught, realistic graphite portrait artist based in Arizona. After graduating from ASU with a business degree, he moved to Los Angeles to study acting at the Playhouse West School and Repertory Theatre. While studying the Meisner Technique intensively for years with teachers Robert Carnegie and Jeff Goldblum, Ian learned how to uncover genuine artistic expression within himself, and use this in his work. His approach to acting, music and drawing has never been the same. Ian started sketching again during the pandemic lockdown, finding his interest in the visual arts awakened for the first time since childhood. By experimenting with various tools, techniques and subject matter, he fell in love with drawing faces. His passion for realism emerged by watching tutorial videos on YouTube, created by brilliant graphite and charcoal artists like Silvie Mahdal and Paul Sarmiento. After completing his first ever portrait at age thirty five, and practicing daily ever since, Ian developed an ability to capture a person’s essence in graphite.