Oscar Ukonu

Oscar Ukonu is a Nigerian hyperrealist biro artist who has made a name for himself in the world of art with his incredibly detailed pen drawings that are often mistaken for photographs. His unique style of art is a result of his passion for capturing the intricate details of the human face and form.

Oscar Ukonu, born in 1993 is a Nigerian ballpoint pen artist based in Lagos, Nigeria. He draws large-scale hyperreal style portraits using only biro pens. His style has been described as both hyperrealism and Afrorealism – he uses his drawings to convey a social message about the African descent. His portraits are strikingly realistic, capturing every nuance of his subjects’ faces and expressions – a celebration of the beauty and diversity of humanity.

Ukonu discovered his passion for art at a young age and began honing his skills using whatever materials he could find. However, it wasn’t until he started experimenting with ballpoint pens that he truly found his niche. Why do you think Ukonu only uses blue biro pens in his work? What overall atmosphere does it create?

Ukonu works exclusively with a monochromatic colour scheme. The subjects of his portraits appear to be younger people, often staring straight ahead, with their eyes (when not covered) looking directly at the viewer.

This makes the subject’s expressions difficult to interpret, as there appears to be a mix of sadness, introspection, and detachment.

Ukonu’s biro pieces are rendered in shades of blue-grey. This colour scheme helps to create a sense of unity and harmony within the artworks. The subjects are placed against a stark white background, enhancing the blue tones and ensuring our attention doesn’t stray from the people depicted.

What emotions do you associate the colour blue with?

If you’d like some help writing your annotations in Art or Photography, look no further.

Despite the challenges of working with such a limited medium, Ukonu has become a master of the biro pen. He spends hours painstakingly creating each piece, often working late into the night to capture the perfect image. His dedication to his craft has paid off, with his work being exhibited in galleries across Nigeria and beyond.

Look at the close up picture above – Ukonu uses his ballpoint pen with great precision. There is a careful juxtaposition of broader strokes and intricate finer lines to heighten areas of interest and create an illusion of stark reality.

Using biro to draw tones and highlights can be challenging, but biro pens can be very useful for drawing sharp edges, lines and outlines precisely. Do you think Ukonu’s artworks are large or small? Why?

Oscar Ukonu says:

I describe my creative process as a practice in time and patience, working approximately 200 to 400 hours on a project. I approach every project as a research work that involves processes of writing, sketching and photography before the final drawing.

Top Facts about artist Oscar Ukonu:

• Oscar Ukonu was born in 1993, he now lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria
• He started drawing, as a hobby, when he was nine
• He studied architecture at Federal Polytechnic in Nekede, Nigeria
• His portrait work is described as hyperrealism and Afrorealism
• His artwork constantly explores Black identity and pride
• An artwork can take between 200 – 400 hours, meaning he is working for up to six weeks
• One artwork can use around ten biro pens
• To create his pieces he uses three drawing techniques: hatching, cross-hatching, and scribbling
• He has created official artworks for The Oscars
• Prints of his drawings sell for over $700

Teaching Oscar Ukonu? This free interactive artist research quiz helps art students explore Oscar Ukonu’s portraiture and identity through knowledge questions, close looking, artwork comparisons and a creative drawing activity. Suitable for art lessons or independent study.

📚 Share this quiz with your classes

Set this artist quiz as a classroom activity, artist research task or homework. Students explore the artist, answer questions and upload their own drawing.

• See who has completed the task: Check students' names, class groups, answers and scores.
• See what they've created: Download the artwork they've uploaded.
• Find results when you need them: Filter by artist and class, then download the selected work. Choose weekly, daily or no email reminders.

Each artist quiz has its own sharing link. Reuse that same artist link with as many classes as you like. Pupils enter their class name to keep results organised. Verify your email once to share; no teacher account or separate class links needed.

📊 View my quiz results — access all your classes through a secure email link, with no password.

Your teacher email Email me a verification link

Oscar Ukonu

Art Detective Quiz

🏆Explore the artwork, follow the clues and make something of your own.

Start the quiz →

Your research sessionThe minimum 15-minute study period starts when you reach the quiz or press Start.

Take your time! Look carefully at the artist's work, think about your answers and develop your own drawing. Spend at least 15 minutes on this challenge, but there's no rush — you can take as long as you need.

01

Artist detective: knowledge check

Find correct answers and clues by looking carefully at the artist's work and reading the information on this page. Some questions have several correct answers.

1. Which themes are explored in this artist’s work?

Think about the ideas behind the artworks, not just the materials.

Social issues Everyday life Stories and narratives Emotions and relationships The natural world City life Identity and belonging Select all that apply. Include evidence in your written answers below.

2. What materials does this artist use to create their work?

Examine the artwork closely and read the article. Select every material supported by what you find.

Spray paint Coloured pencil Photography Collage / mixed media Pastel Graphite pencil Biro / ballpoint pen Select all that apply. Include evidence in your written answers below.

3. Which techniques or artistic approaches can you identify?

Look for evidence of the artist’s process and how the work is made.

Abstract shapes Mural painting Mark-making Hatching or cross-hatching Hyperrealistic detail Layering Surrealist imagery Portraiture Select all that apply. Include evidence in your written answers below.

4. Which subjects appear in or are described as part of the artist’s work?

Consider the images as well as the artist profile.

Plants and flowers People and portraits Food and drink Landscapes and places Objects and still life Animals and wildlife Buildings and streets Select all that apply. Include evidence in your written answers below.

5. Which formal elements are specifically discussed or emphasised?

Look for line, tone, colour, pattern, space, shape, form and texture in the artist’s work.

Form Texture Line Pattern Tone Shape Colour Select all that apply. Include evidence in your written answers below.

6. Which material best completes this sentence about Oscar Ukonu?

Look for what the artist uses to make their work.

Complete the idea from the artist's article

Oscar Ukonu is a Nigerian hyperrealist ________ artist who has made a name for himself in the world of art with his incredibly detailed pen drawings that are often mistaken for photographs.

oil paint clay charcoal ballpoint pen Select one answer. Look for a word or phrase with the closest meaning.

7. Which technique best completes this sentence about Oscar Ukonu?

Look for how the artist makes their work.

Complete the idea from the artist's article

To create his pieces he uses three drawing techniques: ________, cross-hatching, and scribbling

woven threads carved grooves wet brush washes parallel pen lines Select one answer. Look for a word or phrase with the closest meaning.

Submit my research and see my result

Take the time you need to finish every mission. You can submit after at least 15 minutes, but it is fine to take longer. Bronze starts at 60%, Silver at 75% and Gold at 90% in the automatically marked rounds.

There are lots of great clips on YouTube that have more information about Oscar Ukonu and his masterpieces. This insightful interview with Ukonu is good for hearing more about his ideas and process:

What do you think about Oscar Ukonu’s biro drawings? Which are your favourite pieces and why?