This guy can draw! I’ve always thought so ever since I saw Ward’s work in Cafe Royal Issue 0 and followed him on his flickr page as he updated it. This book- or should I say little package of goodies- did not disappoint. In fact I was quite impressed with how many things came in the zip-loc bag including an original pencil portrait drawing (which I am going to have to frame!) The other things are a big portrait book of both xeroxed and full color pages, a small mini-zine of all the 50 portraits he made to give away with this issue (apparently all 50 were made on July 27th- all in one day!), and a big vinyl sticker. Ward’s portraits really seem to capture something truly unique in each subject he draws. They have such energy and personality. I really enjoy each one of them on their own, each page is even better than the next and all together they make such an incredible collection. They are mostly, it seems, of people in their 20s- and the styles and poses are a nice representation of a generation. If he keeps this up he is bound for fame- I mean can you imagine what a full wall of these would look like! Keep it up Ward! See more of his work here and here and buy this here.

© Julia Rothman 2007