When I was very young, about 7 years old, I had some life drawing lessons. I did graphite and charcoal drawings inspired by trees and plants. I remember my teacher punished me severely because I drew a few dicks with a stick on the school playground soil. I was 9 years old. That was my first erotic drawing attempt.
I have a degree on graphic design, and my preferred classes were nude life drawing. Then I realized that would be my dream job: drawing men. But sensuality became a more prominent theme in my work only in 2010, when I decided to ask guys permission to use their online nude photos as a reference for my studies.
JORGE BANDARRA
My creative expression, especially concerning sensuality, has been profoundly shaped by a diverse array of influences. Baroque masters such as Michelangelo and Caravaggio have been instrumental, their mastery of form and the human body serving as a timeless muse. More contemporary artists like Shane Wolf have added a modern flair to my work, infusing it with new perspectives on sensuality and human connection. Surprisingly, homoerotic magazines from the 80s have played a significant role, offering a unique lens into the exploration of desire and intimacy. Moreover, nature has consistently been a powerful presence in my creative journey, its organic shapes and unfiltered beauty inspiring a sense of sensuality that is deeply rooted in the natural world. These varied sources have melded together, enriching my artistic expression and allowing me to explore the nuances of sensuality in multifaceted ways.
In my artistic approach to conveying sensual emotions and experiences, I focus heavily on the art of posing. While I have a deep appreciation for classical nudes, I find that infusing unusual and dynamic poses with unconventional perspectives can evoke exceptionally powerful and expressive emotions. Over the past decade, I have meticulously curated a vast catalogue of ink sketches, primarily inspired by the naked photographs that individuals have shared with me. These sketches serve as the foundation of my work. I often merge two or three of these studies, carefully selecting elements that resonate with me, and then channel my creative energy into crafting a larger artwork using graphite and mixed techniques. This process allows me to distill the sensuality and raw emotion from these poses, creating art that speaks to the profound connection between the human form and the depths of intimate experience.
