In an age where digital art dominates social feeds, one Indonesian artist is going viral for doing the impossible—with nothing but a pencil. Veri Apriyatno, born in Kuningan in 1973, has spent decades perfecting a craft that most of us gave up after high school: hyperrealistic pencil drawing. And trust us, his work will make you look twice—then look again.

But Veri isn’t just about making jaws drop with technique. His mission? To make art more inclusive, more inspiring, and more human.

From ITB to International Spotlight
An alumnus of FSRD ITB (Bandung Institute of Technology’s Faculty of Art and Design), Veri has been active in the art world since the '90s. Over the years, he’s racked up an impressive résumé—from prestigious solo exhibitions at D’Artmaga Bogor and Lotte Shopping Avenue Jakarta, to representing Indonesian talent at Faber-Castell’s Drawing Exhibition in Germany.

And yes, if his name sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen his work featured in Disney Marvel’s “Art Collaboration for Doctor Strange”—a project that cemented his status as not just a national icon, but a globally recognized force in contemporary art.

Not Just Art—A Movement
What sets Veri apart from other high-level artists is what he chooses to do with his talent. He doesn’t just create art for galleries—he builds bridges.

Through his platform, veriartcenter.com, Veri invites aspiring artists, students, and creatives of all levels to learn the craft he’s mastered. The website offers tutorials, inspiration, and access to his work, but more importantly, it offers hope for those who dream of turning their passion into something real.

In a world obsessed with instant gratification, Veri’s message is clear: skill takes time, passion takes heart—and both are worth it.

The Pencil Isn’t Dead—It’s Just Getting Started
In a recent workshop, Veri was asked why he still focuses on pencil in a digital era. His answer? “Because it’s raw. It’s real. And because a pencil forces you to feel every line.”

And when you look at his drawings, that philosophy shows. Whether it’s a portrait so detailed it seems to breathe or an emotional scene that feels like it could blink at any moment, his work bridges the gap between reality and imagination.

 
TL;DR?
Veri Apriyatno isn’t just drawing people—he’s drawing attention to the power of patience, purpose, and passion. His art looks like a photograph, feels like a memory, and inspires like a manifesto. And through VeriArtCenter.com, he’s making sure the next generation of artists knows: this can be you too.