WOW, these are drawings! Laois student stuns crowds with his artwork

A Laois student has wowed crowds through a highly successful exhibition in Abbeyleix library. 

Joe O'Toole (21) from The Downs, Portlaoise has stunned exhibition attendees through his highly detailed and attention focused art. 

It has only been two years since the student discovered his talent for art, and Mr. O'Toole has since created dozens of stunning works in that short space of time.

Never having studied art in school, he discovered his talents unexpectedly in 2021 when sketching a character from a television programme he was watching. The quality of his work has progressed rapidly ever since, and his personal style developed towards the distinctive pieces he is producing today.

Pictured: Artist Joe O'Toole with his father Colm O'Toole.

"I first got into art when I was studying for my leaving cert, it was a form of procrastination really," Mr O'Toole laughed.

"I remember I was watching a tv show at the time, and there was a character that seemed interesting to draw. I just felt inspired to try draw him, and it was that attempt that really kicked it all off," he explained.

His formal training began in Abbeyleix LOETB in 2022, where the coaching and encouragement he received from the art team furthered the advancement of his skills and deepened his passion for art.

Pictured: a portrait of Romain Ntamack by Joe O'Toole

He completed his Level 5 and 6 Art and Design course there, exhibiting at the end of the college year with classmates in Abbeyleix and in the Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise. Mr O'Toole also recently exhibited the piece "Garry Ringrose" in the Dunamaise Arts Centre as part of a local exhibition.

Mr O'Toole's most recent exhibition, 'Genesis', ran in the Abbeyleix library from January 16. Many works were displayed, varying from cracked skulls and dewy flowers, to portraits of well-loved sport personas and actors.

The artist has said he felt encouraged to hold this exhibition through the support of his family, friends and tutors.

Pictured: 'Conor Murray' by Joe O'Toole.

"While I was studying in Abbeyleix, I made great friends there, friends for life," Mr O'Toole said.

"They were all so supportive, and our tutors were too. I had that push there of, 'you should do it, it would be brilliant.' With all of that support around me, I said, 'ah sure go on,'" Mr O'Toole laughed.

"I put my head down and did a few more pieces, the day of hanging the exhibits I finished the Conor Murray piece. It was really the support around me that got me there in the first place," he said. 

Pictured: A stunning portrait by Joe O'Toole

"My family are amazing supporters, ever since I started the very first drawing and they spotted it on the table. Mam and Dad are really proud, and they're there for everything with me. They're my agents really!" he joked.

With such attention to detail present in his work, Mr. O'Toole explained that he could spend over 20 hours on a drawing.

"For my hyper-realistic portraits, a standard portrait could be anywhere from 15 to 20 hours, all depending on the amount of detail. I have done bigger portraits that have taken over 50 to 60 hours," he explained. 

Pictured: 'Garry Ringrose' by Joe O'Toole

The artist sources inspiration from the world around him, and works by artists he admires.

"I see so many different artists doing different things, i love seeing their practices and implementing them," he explained.

"Jono Dry, a South African born artist, would be my biggest inspiration by far. The black backgrounds and his use of light stands out to me, I have taken a lot from him."

As an artist, Mr O'Toole's medium of choice is graphite, as he believes it provides a great depth and darkness to his work that contrasts against the delicate highlights.

Pictured: a drawing of a skull by Joe O'Toole

His focus on continual improvement and striving towards photo realism is reflected by the tireless work he puts into his pieces, learning through trial and error what techniques work best to get the most lifelike textures and to capture the essence of the subjects.

The subjects he chooses to illustrate highlight his interests and what catches his eye, from his love for sport to the finer details of nature and anatomy. He is inspired by rich textures, human anatomy and form, and intricate details.

"I am still finding my style and figuring things out," he said.

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A post shared by Joe O'Toole (@joe.ot9art)

"I don't know quite what's 'me' yet, I want to keep evolving. I could go in a different direction in the future too, I've only been creating art for two years so far," he said.

Now pursuing a degree in Fine Art in the Limerick School of Art and Design in Limerick, Mr O'Toole aspires to someday open his own Studio and to have a business selling his own artwork.

"The main thing I am focusing on is to keep going and to try to get my name out there, I'm hoping to make a career out of this art. It's my main ambition, to push on with it, it's a dream for myself," he said. 

Pictured: 'Mise': a self portrait by Joe O'Toole

"The dream would be in a few years time, to own my own studio. to maybe have a small team around me, and to be able to do my own thing. It's the holy grail for me really, and I want to push and strive for it too," Mr O'Toole said.

Mr O'Toole would like to thank his parents for their encouragement and continued support throughout the years, and would like to thank all the staff in the LOETB centre for the guidance and support.

Mr O'Toole is open for commissions. To view more of the artist's works, visit his Instagram page here.