Together We Make A Family- Nik Gittus

This week we feature an artist from way up North, Nik Gittus. Nik is a boxing trainer from the North East of England, who also spends a lot of his time drawing. He specialises in charcoal sketches and we caught up with him and put a few questions to him about his artwork.

What made you take up drawing?

I used to draw at a young age nothing major just stuff that popped into my head, but then in 2014 I started working for my best friends tattoo shop, Northern Glory Tattoo. I picked up the pencils again, nothing major, normally just writing script names, verses etc. I got to know an artist there really well and we quickly became really close friends, almost like a brother. Dean Taylor took me under his wing, teaching me about realism art. My 1st big piece was a black and grey realism eye using just standard graphite pencils.

Who was your biggest inspiration in your artwork?

My biggest inspiration in art was Dean Taylor. Unfortunately he's no longer with us anymore but he was my mentor and always wanted perfection, to better himself everyday and become the best.

Whats your best memory of being a boxer?

My biggest memory as a boxer was represting my country at both junior and senior levels, my biggest coaching memory is a choice of 2, in the amatuers I coached 4 lads to national championships finals with all 4 of those winning. In professional boxing my biggest memory to date is taking one of my fighters Joe Laws into the ring to box In front of 9,000 fans, live on Sky Sports.

Whats been your favourite fight / session you've ever taken part in?

I have fought, sparred and trained with many fighters that are famous, Tony Bellew and George Groves just to name a few.

Whats your preferred drawing style?

My main drawing style is black and grey realism but I also love script lettering. The main drive towards realism was my brother Dean Taylor.