Visual artist, Henrique de França, uses pencil and charcoal in Stolen Childhood | drawing series to reveal elements of his own childhood, as well as themes of Catholicism in Latin America. Henrique was kind enough to share with us his process and inspiration for the drawings. There were many drawings that he chose to not include in this project, and it’s safe to say that all of us here on Behance can’t wait to see them!
What was your inspiration for this project? Is any of the subject matter in the illustrations autobiographical or inspired by personal observations?
This project is a collection of drawings I made throughout the last five years within the theme of memory. The subject, for me, automatically brings childhood to the center of the series, and although not biographical, I like creating images that resemble my own childhood and things I experienced when younger. The series also discusses themes such as catholic upbringing in Latin America, which I like to portray as a contemporary artist.
When you set out to make these drawings, did you know how many you wanted in the series, and what they would each ultimately look like, or did it develop as you went along?
No, I cannot be sure of how many drawings I will have at the end of the series when I start it. I go with the flow and the need to explore the theme.
Did you go through many versions and iterations before coming up with these final pieces? Are there any drawings that didn’t make the cut, and where left out of the final project?
When I start a drawing I don’t make any sketches, I only have referential images and a slight idea of how the composition should be. So sometimes I am not satisfied with the results and give up. I often don’t try again using the same referential images. There are many drawings I left out of the project not because I don’t like them, but because I wanted to upload a synthesis of the series on Behance.
How did it feel to have your work featured on the Behance network?
It felt great to have such exposure so quickly. It is nice to have a project spread to all over the world.
Why drawing? What about drawing enables you to express yourself uniquely?
I think drawing does what it takes for me to reach out to people through art.
Right now on Behance, you have works done in pencil and charcoal. What is it that you like about these instruments? Are you interested in working with other ones, such as chalk or crayon?
I experimented a lot of mediums when I was in college, but I wanted to make it simple, quick, subtle and strong all the same time, so I chose pencil and charcoal.
Do you feel that this project is “done,” or is there anything you’d like to improve on or change in the future?
Like I said, I’ve been working on these series a long time ago and will certainly be exploring it in the future. I’m not going to change drawings that are done, but there are more drawings to come within this subject.
Did anything interesting happen as a result of the success of this project? (fans contacting you, job opportunities, blogs picking it up, etc).
I’ve been receiving messages of compliments and people asking for advice, I really appreciate them. I was offered a freelance work in a New York based agency from someone who found me on Behance, and a Chinese magazine editor wanted to publish my work (both accomplished), but that was before being featured on Behance homepage. So far so good.
