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Well this young chap could be his replacement
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10-year-old dreams of becoming a cartoon animator
Shalini Jay @ FMT Lifestyle-
August 11, 2021 7:30 AM
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Jibreel first started drawing at the tender age of six. (Hairi pic)
PETALING JAYA: “I feel happy when I’m drawing, especially when it turns out great, and it looks like what I imagined it to be,” Jibreel Fahri says.
The 10-year-old from Bukit Pasir, Muar, first started sketching about four years ago. He picked up doodling two years later and quickly became good at it.
According to his uncle, Hairi, Jibreel’s flair for drawing did not come naturally.
“When he was much younger, he would always ask his mom and me to draw for him. At one point, we told him that he should try to draw on his own,” he said, adding that Jibreel slowly developed his skills by watching art tutorials on YouTube and Instagram.
Hairi and his sister, Jibreel’s mom, share the same passion for drawing, and had some of their artwork published in magazines when they were young.
The somewhat shy Standard Four pupil of SK Sri Bukit Pasir keeps a small sketch book in his school bag that he whips out whenever he has free time in between classes, drawing whatever comes to mind.
On average, Jibreel spends three to four hours daily on his drawings. “I draw when I am bored, or when I feel like drawing,” he says, adding that he mostly gets his ideas by letting his imagination run wild.
Although his parents are supportive of his art, they are mindful of not forcing him to draw when he doesn’t feel like it. They are also ever willing to purchase his art supplies online on condition that they’re reasonably priced.
Drawing aside, the young boy loves school. “My favourite subject in school is English, because it is easy,” says Jibreel with a chuckle.
According to his uncle, Jibreel’s love for the language started when he was around seven years old. He taught himself to speak English by watching cartoons on YouTube as his parents do not speak it at home.
When he’s not caught up with his drawings, he’s like any other boy his age, tearing around the neighbourhood on his bicycle or lost in a video game.
“I also like sleeping,” he adds cheekily. Being the only child, he spends most of his evenings playing with his cousins who live nearby.
Despite being excited about producing his artwork, drawing isn’t just something he indulges in to while away his time. Jibreel has big dreams for his future too, already having made up his mind that he wants to be a cartoon animator when he grows up.
“My favourite comic book is Attack on Titan, and my favourite cartoons are The Loud House and Naruto because I like the art style,” he tells FMT.
“I also like watching Minions because the movies are very funny, and my favourite superhero is Batman because he is really, really cool!” he says excitedly.
When asked how he has handled the pandemic and the prolonged lockdowns, his parents say he’s adapted well to online learning for the most part.
“I do really miss interacting with my teacher and friends during English lessons in school though,” he laments.
Post-pandemic, he looks forward to meeting up with his friends at school once again and hiking with his uncle and cousins just like in the old days.
He also cannot wait to meet his relatives during Hari Raya. “I’ll get to play with my cousins, collect a lot of money and play with fireworks all night long!” he exclaims.
“My next drawing will probably be pictures of fashion or something that interests me on Instagram,” he says, before adding, “I also want to learn how to use and blend colours, because I’m terrible at that.”
For now, Jibreel says he wants to a part of art communities so he can brush up on his skills and exchange ideas with fellow artists.
