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Sharif Tarabay

Sharif Tarabay

Sharif Tarabay - Canada based illustrator

Sharif Tarabay is a Montreal-based illustrator. Originally from Egypt, his drawing skills gave him confidence as a child and he went on to study art at Concordia University. He ended up working for a design studio, but the long hours and desire for independence led him to set up at home and start a career as a freelance illustrator. He loves 18th century art, music and antiques, and even goes so far as saying he was born in the wrong century and that the 1700s would have been ideal for him. It’s no surprise, then, that his ideal holiday would be to an old European city to explore its museums. He also enjoys playing football and coaching his three children in the sport.

Training

Sharif has a degree in Fine Arts from Concordia University in Montreal.

Approach

Often working traditionally, Sharif uses oils, acrylics, watercolours, pastels and coloured pencils. Sometimes, he’ll use a combination of traditional and digital media, using Photoshop to begin the image, then printing it out on cotton paper and completing it using acrylics or fast-drying oils. The best of both worlds.

Style

Sharif likes to do realism with a painterly touch, keeping an arty sensibility to his work rather than attempting to compete with the camera. Preparation is important to him, and he makes sure he has good reference material, a solid drawing and a good composition when he begins. This helps him when it comes to achieving realism in a picture.

Awards

Canadian Association of Photographers and Illustrators (CAPIC) Award Gold in Editorial 1997 CAPIC Bronze in Self-promotion 1993 CAPIC Bronze in Self-promotion 1992 CAPIC Bronze in Advertising 1991

Client list

Sony Music Entertainment HBO-Time Warner Guinness IBM Nike Volkswagen Interview Magazine Der Spiegel
Portrait of a woman
Sharif Tarabay
Boy Scout portrait illustration
Sharif Tarabay
Love couple in Sailboat
Sharif Tarabay
Historical portrait
Sharif Tarabay
Woman lake water skiing
Sharif Tarabay
Soldiers at war
Sharif Tarabay
People sharif
Sharif Tarabay
Retro art of stitching girls
Sharif Tarabay
People Skiing illustration
Sharif Tarabay
Sharif Tarabay
Girl with flowers portrait illustration
Sharif Tarabay
People in a nature park
Sharif Tarabay
Snowman couple illustration
Sharif Tarabay
Portrait of a Groom
Sharif Tarabay
Portrait of Army Soldiers
Sharif Tarabay
place & Locations beach couple
Sharif Tarabay
Trophy hunting realistic art
Sharif Tarabay
Man in Santa Claus fashion
Sharif Tarabay
Historical people portrait
Sharif Tarabay
Portrait Ancestors
Sharif Tarabay
Food & Drinks couple Barbeque
Sharif Tarabay
People Santa in couch
Sharif Tarabay
Graphic pointing hand
Sharif Tarabay
Graphic Post magazine cover
Sharif Tarabay
Animal Dragon art on cloth
Sharif Tarabay
people sharif illustration
Sharif Tarabay
Historical people portraits
Sharif Tarabay
Animals Lion
Sharif Tarabay
I have not seen the complete illustration yet but was awesomely impressed just by the first draft alone. I am so pleased to have found and used the agency for my commission. I would use illustration again, namely Sharif. He is a magnificent artist who understood my brief to the letter and created and brought two characters to life from my imagination. That is a special gift
Vicky-lee Mackenzie, Freelance Designer UK
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