Greek Key, 11x14 inches, crayon on Rives BFK by Kenney Mencher
FREE SHIPPING
Shipping takes 3-4 Weeks
This ships from Round Lake Beach, Illinois. A suburb outside of Chicago.
I use UPS and sometimes US Post.
This drawing is called Greek Key, and it’s part tribute, part celebration. The figure is front and center—bearded, burly, and fully grounded in his body. I wanted to draw someone who represents a kind of beauty that’s often ignored in classical art, but deeply meaningful to many of us. He’s a “bear” in every sense—confident, strong, and real.
I used black crayon on Rives BFK paper to get a gritty, rich texture that lets the body hair and skin patterning come through clearly. The hands are large and rough. The stomach is round and relaxed. His gaze meets yours directly, like he’s got nothing to hide. Every part of him is drawn with respect—no airbrushing, no idealizing. Just presence.
The background is filled with a repeating Greek key pattern, referencing ancient design and maybe even classical architecture. But instead of showing a chiseled, marble god, I wanted to show someone who might actually have lived—flesh-and-blood and full of character. There's a hint of baroque drama in the shadows and linework, and maybe even a bit of Rembrandt or Ribera in the way the facial expression carries both defiance and warmth.
The drawing was done with short, layered strokes—almost like carving the form out of graphite dust. There’s heavy shading across the chest, belly, and groin, but the light still finds its way through. I didn’t use a full chiaroscuro approach, but there’s definitely shading and cast shadow helping build volume and depth.
This one’s personal. I’ve always believed in showing real bodies—especially men who are older, hairier, heavier—as worthy of being seen, respected, and even admired. I hope this piece makes someone feel seen, or maybe feel a sense of pride in their own reflection.
Whether you identify with bear culture or simply appreciate expressive figure drawing, this piece might resonate on a few different levels—art history, identity, pop culture, or even as a quiet act of body positivity.
Details:
Title: Greek Key
Medium: Crayon on Rives BFK paper
Size: 11x14 inches
Year: 2025
Signed and dated on front
Unframed
Ships flat in archival sleeve and rigid mailer
FREE SHIPPING
Shipping takes 3-4 Weeks
This ships from Round Lake Beach, Illinois. A suburb outside of Chicago.
I use UPS and sometimes US Post.
This drawing is called Greek Key, and it’s part tribute, part celebration. The figure is front and center—bearded, burly, and fully grounded in his body. I wanted to draw someone who represents a kind of beauty that’s often ignored in classical art, but deeply meaningful to many of us. He’s a “bear” in every sense—confident, strong, and real.
I used black crayon on Rives BFK paper to get a gritty, rich texture that lets the body hair and skin patterning come through clearly. The hands are large and rough. The stomach is round and relaxed. His gaze meets yours directly, like he’s got nothing to hide. Every part of him is drawn with respect—no airbrushing, no idealizing. Just presence.
The background is filled with a repeating Greek key pattern, referencing ancient design and maybe even classical architecture. But instead of showing a chiseled, marble god, I wanted to show someone who might actually have lived—flesh-and-blood and full of character. There's a hint of baroque drama in the shadows and linework, and maybe even a bit of Rembrandt or Ribera in the way the facial expression carries both defiance and warmth.
The drawing was done with short, layered strokes—almost like carving the form out of graphite dust. There’s heavy shading across the chest, belly, and groin, but the light still finds its way through. I didn’t use a full chiaroscuro approach, but there’s definitely shading and cast shadow helping build volume and depth.
This one’s personal. I’ve always believed in showing real bodies—especially men who are older, hairier, heavier—as worthy of being seen, respected, and even admired. I hope this piece makes someone feel seen, or maybe feel a sense of pride in their own reflection.
Whether you identify with bear culture or simply appreciate expressive figure drawing, this piece might resonate on a few different levels—art history, identity, pop culture, or even as a quiet act of body positivity.
Details:
Title: Greek Key
Medium: Crayon on Rives BFK paper
Size: 11x14 inches
Year: 2025
Signed and dated on front
Unframed
Ships flat in archival sleeve and rigid mailer
FREE SHIPPING
Shipping takes 3-4 Weeks
This ships from Round Lake Beach, Illinois. A suburb outside of Chicago.
I use UPS and sometimes US Post.
This drawing is called Greek Key, and it’s part tribute, part celebration. The figure is front and center—bearded, burly, and fully grounded in his body. I wanted to draw someone who represents a kind of beauty that’s often ignored in classical art, but deeply meaningful to many of us. He’s a “bear” in every sense—confident, strong, and real.
I used black crayon on Rives BFK paper to get a gritty, rich texture that lets the body hair and skin patterning come through clearly. The hands are large and rough. The stomach is round and relaxed. His gaze meets yours directly, like he’s got nothing to hide. Every part of him is drawn with respect—no airbrushing, no idealizing. Just presence.
The background is filled with a repeating Greek key pattern, referencing ancient design and maybe even classical architecture. But instead of showing a chiseled, marble god, I wanted to show someone who might actually have lived—flesh-and-blood and full of character. There's a hint of baroque drama in the shadows and linework, and maybe even a bit of Rembrandt or Ribera in the way the facial expression carries both defiance and warmth.
The drawing was done with short, layered strokes—almost like carving the form out of graphite dust. There’s heavy shading across the chest, belly, and groin, but the light still finds its way through. I didn’t use a full chiaroscuro approach, but there’s definitely shading and cast shadow helping build volume and depth.
This one’s personal. I’ve always believed in showing real bodies—especially men who are older, hairier, heavier—as worthy of being seen, respected, and even admired. I hope this piece makes someone feel seen, or maybe feel a sense of pride in their own reflection.
Whether you identify with bear culture or simply appreciate expressive figure drawing, this piece might resonate on a few different levels—art history, identity, pop culture, or even as a quiet act of body positivity.
Details:
Title: Greek Key
Medium: Crayon on Rives BFK paper
Size: 11x14 inches
Year: 2025
Signed and dated on front
Unframed
Ships flat in archival sleeve and rigid mailer
