Category Archives: Black Men

1001 Black Men #931

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This is a portrait from the East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Fest, at Berkeley City College, in Berkeley, California. I saw this man and his friend walk past, and I had the same thoughts I have every time I see an African American man or boy with the hood on his sweatshirt pulled up on his head; I wondered how anyone could think this man was dangerous, and I hoped he got home safely, that night and every night. After all, an awful lot of people are afraid of Black men, and scared people with guns have ended an awful lot of Black lives.

Ajuan Mance

1001 Black Men #929

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The man in this drawing was sitting diagonal to me at the picnic style table where Eddie and I were camped out at the Hive. The man in this drawing was having an animated conversation with the woman seated beside me, and I liked that he kept glancing my way to see my progress on his portrait. When he got up and walked around me, on his way to the door, he paused to look over my shoulder; and when I looked up at him, he smiled. But he left before I had a chance to offer to send him the finished drawing.

Ajuan Mance

1001 Black Men #928

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I saw this man through the window during my art afternoon at the Hive. He was one of several Black men who either walked past the cafe or stopped in. I enjoy drawing figures who have some sort of variation on the traditional beard or goatee, so this highly symmetrical guy with the slightly unkempt chin beard was a perfect subject. I also really like drawing knit caps. The texture is a fun challenge, especially if you like to do line work. I included this guy’s beard and sideburn (and haircut) stubble to add to the texture in the portrait.

Ajuan Mance

1001 Black Men #926

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My job has become a bit hectic in recent weeks, and so I’ve had to sneak in my art whenever I’ve had a spare moment. I’ve had to make the most of each of spare hour or two, and so my afternoon at the Hive resulted in several new drawings for this series. This dapper business man with the impeccably trimmed beard sat across from us long enough for me to complete this portrait.

Ajuan Mance

 

 

1001 Black Men #923

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I recently did an art day with my friend Eddie. We found a god seat at a local cafe, pulled out our sketchbooks, and started drawing. We didn’t stop until a few hours and, in my case, several portraits later. We sat at the big shared table right inside the front window, and I drew the Black men who came in, as well as the Black men who passed by.

Shout out to Hive: The Place to Bee. This locally-owned cafe is a relatively new addition to the MacArthur/Fruitvale area, but it’s got got true Laurel-Dimond district flavor. There’s ample seating, and a varied menu of coffees and teas, as well as some breakfast and lunch items.

Ajuan Mance