Originally from East London and now based in Gqeberha, 28-year-old artist Tando Cekiso has turned a childhood passion into a thriving business. What began with a six-year-old boy sketching after school has grown into Black Inc, a name now known for striking black-and-white sentimental portraits in pencil and charcoal.
Each piece he creates is more than just art because it becomes a priceless keepsake that captures and immortalises cherished moments and memories.
When did you first realise you had a talent for art?
From as early as six years old. As soon as I’d get home from school, I’d grab my drawing kit and start sketching. My family noticed my love for art early on, which is why I always had pencils and paint close by.
Why do you enjoy working with pencil and charcoal?
Pencil was my first love, but I realised adding charcoal gave my work more definition and character. Charcoal and pencil work beautifully together to create contrast and tone, especially for black-and-white artworks.
What’s the most rewarding part of creating commissioned pieces?
The stories behind every order. It can get overwhelming when orders pile up, but hearing why someone wants a portrait is motivating. Some pieces are big and physically taxing, but those personal stories give me the drive to keep going.
Can you walk us through your process for a commissioned piece?
It starts with the first conversation. I ask a lot of questions to understand the client’s vision and anticipate any add-ons. Then I prepare all my tools and select the right frame size. From there, I dive into the work which involves pure focus for at least five hours at a time, depending on the size. Finally, I do quality checks and handle logistics, including delivery.
How do clients usually respond when they see the final artwork?
I always hope for genuine reactions. Many clients are far away, so I don’t see all their responses in person, but the ones I’ve delivered to directly have been amazing. Seeing raw emotion and joy, and knowing my work is the reason, keeps me going.
Which artists inspire you?
Eben Beukes, known as ebenbeukes_art on Facebook. His hyper-realistic art is incredible, and I learn a lot from studying his techniques.
What challenges do you face as an artist?
Having more clients than I can handle in a month, tight deadlines, and trusting courier companies to deliver artworks safely.
What are your future goals?
I want to invest my profits into creating a stationery brand in the next few years. Art will never fade as long as people have imagination, and supplying the tools would be my way of contributing to that creativity.
How do you manage orders, especially when clients aren’t nearby?
I carefully package the artworks and send them via courier, making sure they arrive safely to the client’s doorstep.
How can people reach you for commissions?
Call or WhatsApp me on
063-419-5246, or visit my Facebook page, BLACK INC.
