Meet Robin Amar, a first-year engineering student in the Grande Ecole Program at the Aix-en-Provence campus.
Robin has been drawing with ease since he was a child. He does not plan to to make art his profession, but he intends to use his creativity and talent in his future life as an engineer. He opens up about his passion.
Where does this passion for drawing come from? We could even say you have a real talent for it. How long have you been pursuing it?
I think I've always been passionate about drawing. I drew quite oftenwhen I was a child, but I remember having a real breakthrough as a teenager, towards the end of middle school.
I then immersed myself in realistic drawing. And I started posting my creations on social media, first on a Facebook page, then from 2015 on my Instagram account Instagram account.
How did you learn to draw? What are your sources of inspiration?
I am entirely self-taught and have never taken any drawing lessons.
I have always viewed my creativity as a form of freedom, allowing me to experiment as much as I want and to progress through practice. I have made significant progress by drawing regularly, drawing inspiration from models, and persevering. At first, I simply copied photos until I acquired the basics of proportions, lighting effects, and various techniques that now allow me to draw without a model very often.
My main sources of inspiration are my favorite artists, especially musicians, and my relationship with the world around me. My works are often figurative, but I convey my emotions through my lines and my artistic choices in terms of colors, techniques, and models.
I have always viewed my creativity as a freedom.
What does drawing bring you? How does your artistic sensibility express itself?
When I draw, I am usually able to free myself from my anxiety and express my emotions, even through realism. I strive for a certain perfection, to sublimate what I love and what inspires me through my drawings.
Drawing not only brings me a lot in terms of emotions and expressing my creativity, but it has also allowed me to meet people and truly share and interact with others through my Instagram account. Today, I have a real community. I've built incredible relationships through my social media journey, and this has allowed me to work with brands that I love. It's very fulfilling.
You chose to attend a prestigious engineering school rather than an art school. Yet drawing remains a key part of your career plans. How do you see your future in this field?
I have no intention of making art my profession. But I do intend to use my creativity and talent in my future career, whatever it may be.
The training offered to me at Arts et Métiers allows Arts et Métiers to acquire a wide range of technical skills that I will be able to put to good use as an engineer.I am very interested in industrial design, particularly in the automotive and aeronautics sectors. I believe that the creativity and inventiveness I demonstrate in my designs are qualities that are sought after in these innovative sectors, in addition to the technical knowledge I am gaining through my studies.
I believe that the creativity and inventiveness I demonstrate in my drawings are qualities sought after in engineers working in innovative sectors.
You are presenting a few works here. Can you tell us more about what characterizes them?
I have selected these works to best represent my drawing style. I work in both black and white and color, with precise or blurred lines, using different textures and levels of contrast.
I attach the utmost importance to detail, lighting effects, and the gaze in portraits.
The two techniques I use most frequently are graphite pencil and colored pencil, on fairly light paper (130 g/m2). More occasionally, I use other mediums such as acrylic paint or watercolor. I like to experiment with as many techniques as possible, but I usually only share my pencil drawings on Instagram.
You're popular on social media. What does your community bring you? What do you bring to them?
I don't feel like I'm "popular" on social media, but rather that I'm sharing my creations with as many people as possible, with a lot of perspective. This gives me valuable feedback, positivity, opportunities to work with brands and receive materials, and often inspiration. The messages that touch me the most are those from followers who tell me they have discovered or rediscovered a passion for drawing thanks to my account. It's very rewarding and inspiring.
However, social media has its drawbacks, including pressure to be creative, a sense of competition, and stress about numbers. I've managed to detach myself from all that and post what I want, when I want. My artistic approach and the feedback I receive, however much there may be, are all that matter to me.
My community gives me a lot of support. And I try to thank them by offering well-crafted, serious content, organizing contests, and being there to give advice or feedback to subscribers who draw.
Have you ever exhibited your work or participated in competitions?
I currently have the opportunity to present my drawings as part of an exhibition of young talentat the 361° contemporary art space. 361° in Aix-en-Provence. Five of my works will be on display from February 1 to 28.
I have also participated in contests on Instagram. Thanks to my account, I have had the opportunity to organize many contests in collaboration with brands or other artists, offering my followers the chance to win equipment, drawings, or visibility.
