Draw a portrait
In February artist Adébayo Bolaji invited us all draw a portrait or self-portrait – part of DRAW! supported by David Hockney.
Published: February 6, 2025
DRAW! supported by David Hockney is a nationwide project to get everyone drawing.
In February, internationally-renowned artist Adébayo Bolaji invited us all to draw a portrait. Check out Bolaji's drawings that inspired this theme, and take a look back at some of the amazing drawings you sent to us in January.
In January, David Hockney encouraged us to draw ‘something you find beautiful’.
And you didn’t disappoint! You sent some incredible drawings that showed us what you find beautiful, from your pets to familiar views of the places you love – we loved seeing what inspired you to get drawing!
Check out February’s theme ‘portraits’ below chosen by artist Adébayo Bolaji and see a selection of his drawings that inspired the theme.
And read on to see a selection of some of the incredible drawings you sent to us in January, hand-picked by Bradford 2025 Creative Director, Shanaz Gulzar. Thank you to everyone who shared your drawings with us.
February's theme
‘Draw a portrait’
In February, internationally-renowned artist Adébayo Bolaji is inviting us all to draw a portrait, inspired by his recent work Justice.
Bolaji is encouraging us all to draw portraits of the people around us or draw ourselves in a self-portrait.
“Drawing for me is curiosity, sometimes a restlessness even, but in a good way.” said Bolaji.
“It’s a time for me to play. I like to approach drawing like a child discovering the world for the first time, no judgement just curiosity and being open to the element of surprise.
“So rather than saying sketch or even draw… I prefer to say, play… it’s curiosity and playfulness.”
Discover Bolaji’s own drawings below – shared exclusively with Bradford 2025 for February’s DRAW! theme.
Find out more about Adébayo Bolaji at www.adebayobolaji.com.
How to share your drawing
To share your drawing with us, take a photo of your artwork and send it to us at bradford2025.co.uk/mydrawing. Or share it on social media using the hashtag #Bradford2025, or tag @bradford_2025.
