Mpumelelo Bhengu — South African Street Art Illustrator

“Street culture is the fuel that energises me,” says South African illustrator Mpumelelo Bhengu – and this energy is richly evident in the spectacular urban landscapes he renders. The life, colour and rhythm of the streets, plus the stories they have to tell, instantly draws viewers to Mpumelelo’s imagery.

Originally from Durban but now based in Cape Town, Mpumelelo spent years working as an art director after studying Visual Communications at the Vega School, a leading art college in South Africa. Now a full-time illustrator, he has attracted an impressive client list including global brands across a wide range of industries. Clients appreciate the detail and craftsmanship Mpumelelo brings to a brief, but more than that they love his sense of optimism. He’s a dreamer who LOVES to draw, and it shows via imagery inspired by graffiti, architecture, Hip Hop, cartoons, comics and computer games.

Approach

Concept sketches begin in Procreate, which are cleaned up to present to the client. When Mpumelelo gets the green light, he progresses the artwork in Photoshop and/or Illustrator, depending on which suits the execution. His MO also includes 20-minute power naps.

Key Software

Procreate, photoshop, illustrator

Style Bright colours and bold line work lead to a style that is graphic, expressive and full of fun, and while these things catch the eye, what holds the attention is the level of detail and narrative in each image.