WilR is a self-taught artist. From an early age, he explored drawing intuitively, doodling in the margins of his notebooks or on small scraps of paper. Over time, this simple and spontaneous gesture became an essential form of expression, deeply rooted in his daily life.
His imagination was nourished by the graphic worlds that marked his childhood, such as Gotlib’s Dingo Dossiers or the lively adventures of Tom-Tom and Nana, drawn by Bernadette Després in the magazine J’aime Lire. These influences, both playful and generous, helped shape a curious and sensitive perspective on the world, echoing the silent voids of a damaged childhood.
In September 2018, WilR began a more regular drawing practice. He acquired a dedicated sketchbook, which has since become an inseparable companion in his creative process. Whether traveling, at home, or at work, every free moment became an opportunity for graphic exploration. This consistency gradually transformed his approach, anchoring drawing into a routine that is both intimate and structuring.
The works created in this sketchbook, although spontaneous, gradually evoke memories, buried emotions, and forms emerging from an inner space that had long remained silent. Drawing thus became a medium of emotional reconnection as well as a field for artistic experimentation.
Initially, WilR favored a great simplicity of means: a sketchbook and a black pen. He embraces this freedom of action, free from material constraints, attentive both to the outside world and to his own inner tumult.
Over time, the sketchbook format proved insufficient. The artist began working on sheets of paper of varying sizes, expanding his gestures toward new horizons. Soon, the need to introduce color became evident. Not identifying as a painter and little attracted to colored pencils, he explored alternative methods.
He developed a personal digital process: his drawings are scanned and then converted into vector paths. This method preserves the fluidity of the line while allowing for large-format prints. Coloring is done manually, without automation or artificial intelligence. Each color is carefully selected, with attention to formal and chromatic balance. The works are then finalized on 3 mm Dibond aluminum, a medium that gives them a solid and durable physical presence.
Gradually, WilR expanded his range of mediums. He discovered acrylic markers, which allowed him to paint directly on canvas. Drawn to the energy of street art, he also experimented with spray paint, mainly for creating backgrounds on canvas. Simultaneously, he allowed himself free experimental phases: water-soluble ink, collages combining images, fragments of text, reworked prints… These variations fueled his curiosity and continually opened his practice to new perspectives.
Within this free and intuitive practice, recurring figures sometimes emerge, as if called forth by the gesture. These characters, often appearing by chance in the flow of a line, gradually become familiar companions. Without any predetermined plan, they regularly return under the artist’s hand, carrying a unique presence, subtle humor, or diffuse emotion.
