
#DrawingWhileBlack is an online movement to showcase the work of black illustrators, who are usually less visible in an industry dominated by white artists.
On the weekend of 15-17 September, #DrawingWhileBlack celebrated black artists, and challenged them share between two and four examples of their work, one image that was a representation of the artist themselves, and a short bio.
It was organised by Annabelle H, who is also the admin on the Twitter account @drawingwhileblk.
Starting a hashtag event to celebrate and appreciate black artists this weekend !🙌🏿✊🏾👌🏽💫 RTs are greatly appreciat… https://t.co/YUDWFyNmkd— Abelle✨(they/them) (@Abelle✨(they/them)) 1505273699
Annabelle gave her own example to lead off:
hi my name is Annabelle✨I'm a first generation Ghanaian American animator and illustrator! I'm also the organizer o… https://t.co/H6Xgh6pkHp— Abelle✨(they/them) (@Abelle✨(they/them)) 1505507543
She explained on Twitter her thinking behind the campaign.
#drawingwhileblack is a play on words on "driving while black"! I wanted to reclaim the phrasing and turn it into some impactful— Abelle✨(they/them) (@Abelle✨(they/them)) 1505839444
She also asked people not use the root 'drawingwhile' to segue into other topics.
Omg i forgot to mention this : please try not use the phrase "drawing while..." for non-black specific visibility hashtags!— Abelle✨(they/them) (@Abelle✨(they/them)) 1505839271
In another tweet she stated she'd like to hold a #drawingwhileblack weekend annually, but also considered moving the date to Black History Month (February) in future years.
The campaign featured some amazing art, and many illustrators continued to share their work after the 'deadline' on the 17th.
Hi, I'm Jacinda, a 4th year graphic design student that loves illustration and creating comics. #drawingwhileblack https://t.co/Op5xMMs06O— Jacinda A 🔮 Illustrator looking for work and (@Jacinda A 🔮 Illustrator looking for work and) 1505669485
My name is Seyi Alabi, from Nigeria. #drawingwhileblack https://t.co/QxouDU1Y2Z— Sheyi Alabi (@Sheyi Alabi) 1506172196
I'm more based on Instagram but yeah I did a #drawingwhileblack post over there haha https://t.co/Zm0N5WxQ64— 🖤Ponie🖤 (@🖤Ponie🖤) 1506178390
My name is Nnadi Ikechukwu from Nigeria.🇳🇬 And I paint hyper realistic portraits. #drawingwhileblack https://t.co/rs7u8pxhA7— Ik Nnadi 🇳🇬 (@Ik Nnadi 🇳🇬) 1505931208
Fine Arts major/Graphic designer/Wannabe comic artist. I love drawin gals, fashion, & fan art 💕 Insta & Tumblr: Ray… https://t.co/9P5CoiLefk— follow new acc @Rayciart (@follow new acc @Rayciart) 1505623072
Hola ! I'm Nyambura, 24, Kenyan illustrator and animator. I love cartoons and I'm glad to be part of this… https://t.co/BSeqm3HZC3— Asali ya Kathonzweni (@Asali ya Kathonzweni) 1506069304
I'm Gideon from Ghana I've been since I was 8. #drawingwhileblack https://t.co/wIfeV4gqcs— thepencilguy (@thepencilguy) 1505642541
Hey, I'm Sanare. An animator based in Nairobi, Kenya and I love to draw portraits and travel #Drawingwhileblack https://t.co/RaiO1xQEye— Kelvin Sir-Nare (@Kelvin Sir-Nare) 1506166160
My #hyperrealistic #artwork with charcoal pencil on paper titled Soldier. #art #drawingwhileblack #drawing… https://t.co/6DvGRuLxle— Ken Nwadiogbu (@Ken Nwadiogbu) 1506192851
My Name is Foladavid. I am a charcoal artist and speedpainter from Nigeria! #drawingwhileblack https://t.co/e39kdNh29E— Fola David (@Fola David) 1505940660
Yooo, kinda late to this thing but hi, I'm Justin from Northern VA. Abstract artist wit tha colored pencils, ayyyy… https://t.co/9qQpmp91au— Jastun of the ICC (@Jastun of the ICC) 1505786732
¡Yooooo I'm Kyle! I'm a 19 year old communication arts student trying to get into comics and character design.… https://t.co/6BkYFwUoDw— Ky (@Ky) 1505580480
Im Nick. Freelance artist from Lafayette, Louisiana. #drawingwhileblack https://t.co/OewjET8zNc— Lil' Ception (@Lil' Ception) 1505790963
Yo! I'm Christian Greene, aka SSick Chris. I'm a Comic Artist, Illustrator, and Graphic Designer stationed in GA. 🌺… https://t.co/cMvpuQISJD— 🍂Chris Greene🍂 (@🍂Chris Greene🍂) 1505790285
Heyo!! Psychoshojo here ( ° ∀ ° )ノ゙Im a jack of all trades, master of none. Aspiring comic artist & shop owner ☆⌒(ゝ… https://t.co/xjhCFiTeY2— PsychoPixxxel (@PsychoPixxxel) 1505786454
I'm Daniel from Ghana and I'm a digital artist. I just love smudging #drawingwhileblack https://t.co/IiyzRgPH62— DTee (@DTee) 1505785465
Hiya! 🙈 My name is Morenike. I'm a Nigerian digital & traditional artist trying to find her style.… https://t.co/OH6AgGZHlE— Renike (@Renike) 1505859535
At the end of the weekend Annabelle thanked the movement's supporters.
Thank you everyone who used or support #drawingwhileblack ! It means a lot and i can't wait to see more art!— Abelle✨(they/them) (@Abelle✨(they/them)) 1505611276
Find more illustrations at @drawingwhileblk or search Twitter and Instragram using the hashtag #drawingwhileblack.