Different strokes

By Ruqyyaha Deane

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From being a model to an actor to being an artist, 26-year-old Thavarajah Dharshan seems to be doing it all. With the former two titles merely activities he dabbles in, it is his passion for art that really excites him with all its unique challenges.

He had always loved the subject of art since he was a child yet found the yearning to be an arline cabin crew member which he worked towards by following a course, thereafter he changed his career path towards the television industry where he is still moulding him self to become a prominent actor. It was there he was approached to feature in an international music video which led to an interest in modeling as well.

“Modelling motivates me to maintain my physique, and taking part in shoots gives me a purpose to continue my fitness goals to be in shape,” he tells the Mirror Magazine.

One day, however, he says that he would enjoy being a tattoo artist as he had always been interested in replicating portraits of individuals as he found modern art boring. “I challenge myself to try my level best to make it look very realistic. I wouldn’t consider myself as someone who has reached the maximum level in hyper realistic drawings,” he shares with us on his hyper-realistic art.

For Dharshan drawing stems from a deep personal space within him, an impromptu deviation of the mind. It is similar to “shifting from new fashion trends to the vintage era,” he says. Usually when he starts a painting, everything else shuts off except for the portrait he’s working on.

No matter what stage of life he is in, Darshan has wholeheartedly dedicate time to improve his drawing skills even despite his hectic schedule. He calls it a prayer that he never forgets when he practices his drawing and as such his drawing has improved from colouring in activity books with his cousins to his hyper-realistic portraits.

A tough self-critic, Darshan only has around 4-5 drawings that he keeps with him that he deems good while the others are either sold or discarded. Oil painting are his medium to work with as the thickness of the paint allows a realistic look and adjustments he says.