Tigra by MAHMUD ASRAR

A Tigra commission by the great Mahmud Asrar.

I have admired Mahmud’s commission work for some time. The man truly works magic with copics.

And regretted immensely not to have commissioned him earlier in his career when his prices were already expensive for what I felt was his status in the industry. Ever since, his prices multiplied by more than twice. It probably reflects his current level of popularity…

So when he came to the Facts 2018 spring edition, I thought long and hard (given his rates) about commissioning him. The quality of the end product made me go for it, especially when he does them on coloured paper.

Here is the beautiful result. Mahmud told me he prefers to draw obscure characters or ones he never did before. This was a first for him and I believe it shows. You know you are on the right track when the artist answer your email request with a “good choice” (then again, they may tell that to all the pretty girls but…).

To be frank, I still have mixed feeling about the piece considering the price I paid. Mahmud is more expensive than many artists I prefer and while I find her great, I don’t find her sublime (the face is a bit…not as sexy as I thought she would be…). I guess this is the russian roulette of the commission game. Not a failure mind you but not perfect either. Still beautiful.