Man Who Loved Replicating Newspaper Cartoons Turns Childhood Passion Into Profit: "It Pays Bills"

• Dennis Ochieng started gravitating towards newspaper cartoons when he was still a young boy, a hobby his parents disapproved of
• When he cleared high school, he channelled his energies towards his passion and grew it into a lucrative business
• Despite having missed a slot at the university, Ochieng now earns a decent living from sketching commissioned works of art

Dennis Ochieng fell in love with newspaper cartoons, unaware he had already charted his destiny.

Back then, he only copied the images and replicated them on plain paper, perfecting his prowess with pencil art.

The now-28-year-old has turned the passion into a full-time job under the Art Dehnow - Artcellency brand name.

How did Ochieng become a brand?

He told TUKO.co.ke that, growing up, his parents did not take his talent seriously until he cleared high school in 2015.

Unfortunately, Ochieng did not join college, which prompted him to channel all his energies into art.

The gamble paid, as he has built a reputation over the years as the go-to person for pencil art.

"This talent pays all my bills, I have never been employed," he said.

How much do Ochieng's art pieces cost?

Ochieng disclosed that prices vary depending on the size and number of faces in a picture.

An A3 size for one person costs KSh 3500, the same for two people costs KSh 6000, and one for three costs KSh 8500.

"For A2 size, I charge KSh 7500 one person, KSh 9500 two people, and KSh 12000 three people," he noted, adding that the price includes framing and free delivery within Nairobi CBD.

The time he spends on an artwork varies considerably based on the complexity of the details in the picture.

Drawings with fewer details on the clothes and skin tone can be done in three to five days, while complex compositions may take five days to a week.

What's the difference between pencil art and paintings?

The one notable difference between pencil art and painting is that the former is more commission-based.

"In painting, the artist can draw from imagination or inspiration then showcase at exhibitions for sale," he explained.

Ochieng disclosed that his most memorable commission was in November 2018 when Brazilian football start Ronaldhino visited Kenya.

The betting firm that brought him wanted something special to present to the legend as a gift, which is how they contacted him.

"I'm glad they opted for an artwork, and I am happy he liked it. It's my greatest achievement in my art career so far," he concluded.

How Kenyan man built real-estate company

Elsewhere, Cleophas Nyagaka started interior design as a little boy by drawing on his mother's wall, which sometimes got him into trouble.

A well-wisher spotted his passion and supported him to pursue a real estate course in South Africa.

When he returned, he started offering free interior design services and slowly built a real estate company that now employs over 30 permanent Kenyans and many more casuals.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.