Pencil to Pixel is a collection of black and white drawings and the first solo exhibition of Szymon Siara. The title of the exhibition stems from the creative nature of their creation process. The base image for each drawing was always a traditional pencil sketch that was scanned, scaled up (considerably in most cases) and then drawn on using a graphics tablet and pen. If a pen is said to be mightier than the sword, then a pen connected to a computer should offer infinite creative possibilities. The retention of the original pencil drawing varies from image to image but Szymon's individual work flow means that each picture has been "hand drawn" using a computer to then print the final version.
The work is all character based and reflects Szymon's time spent studying animation. It has offered him a chance to push those pencil sketches that normally pile up high and never become anything more, to perhaps become more detailed graphical images that may please someone's eye.
"I was born in Poland 35 years ago, but have been in London for the last 30, 25 of those here in Acton. I have a degree in animation from The Surrey Institute of Art and Design in 2003 following a long interest and evident ability in drawing from childhood. My father and sister are both Polish based artists so it seems to run in the genes. I never pursued my degree qualification despite still keeping a keen interest in animation (perhaps a future exhibition). I have been working in soft furnishing for a few years, but have never sought to do anything with the abundance of drawings that I have been producing in my spare time over the years. I have previously displayed my work as part of a collective exhibition and it was met with interest, it has merely taken a long time and the existence of the W3 Gallery that have given me the drive to attempt to put together an exhibit". Szymon Siara