Bulacan artist ‘paints’ with candle smoke, from Mona Lisa to BINI Maloi

Most artists use oil, watercolor, acrylic or tempera. But not Bulacan artist Mejeyd Tribo, whose “brush” is a lit candle.

For years, the fumage artist from Pulilan has been gaining attention online for creating portraits and religious artwork using candle smoke instead of traditional paint.

Fumage dates back to the Surrealist movement, with Austrian artist Wolfgang Paalen credited with developing the technique in the 1930s using candle smoke and soot. Other artists, including Salvador Dalí, later played with fire—literally.

Tribo runs a Facebook page with more than 294,000 followers, where he shares glimpses of his creative process and finished works.

His portfolio includes recreations of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper,” as well as portraits of Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Addams, Selena Gomez, Bella Poarch, ITZY Yeji, BINI Maloi, and Kuya Kim Atienza.

He also takes commissions, including a recreation of Michelangelo’s “Pietà” and his Christian-themed piece which he called “The Sheep Journey.”

Fumage journey

During a July 20 guesting on Eat Bulaga!, Tribo said he discovered fumage during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He told hosts Bimby Aquino and Ryzza Mae Dizon that he had no formal art education, so he learned by observing other artists and watching art videos online. He eventually came across an international artist using candle smoke and took inspiration from the technique.

Tribo also said he has since become a full-time artist and put his studies on hold to focus on his craft.

He then demonstrated his candle smoke technique on the show, working on portraits of Aquino and Dizon.

Tribo also admitted that some of his drafts get completely burned. For those with partial burns, however, he said he embraces the imperfections as part of the creative process.

From candle smoke to Hong Kong

In an Aug. 28 vlog, Tribo documented his process of recreating Michelangelo’s “Pietà” for a commissioned piece.

“Kung ‘yong ibang artist naghahalo muna sila ng paint bago magsimula, ako, nagbubuhat ng canvas,” he joked as he held a burning candle beneath a canvas suspended above his head.

Wearing a respirator, Tribo slowly layers soot onto the underdrawing before adding details using pen and brush. “Para sa akin, ito ‘yong isa sa pinakakomplikadong part, lalo na sa kamay. Pero ang satisfying naman niya pag na-perfect mo.”

He also addressed questions about candlewax burns, saying he had tried using a protective box before but it only disrupted his work. “Di rin naman lahat pumapatak sa akin, pinapatulo ko rin ‘yong iba.”

On July 29, Tribo announced that his works were displayed at ba d’arts in Hong Kong, marking his first international exhibition. He also said he was the only Filipino artist invited to the exhibit.

“Nakakaproud talaga,” he said. “Masyado pang maaga, pero achievement na talaga ito para sa akin… tulad ko, sana huwag kayong huminto sa pangarap.”