The King

This graphite drawing of Nat King Cole features soft, watercolor smoke swirling around him, evoking the smooth, velvety tones of his voice. A pioneering jazz musician and vocalist, Cole broke racial barriers in entertainment with hits like "Unforgettable" and became the first African American to host a nationally televised variety show in the U.S.

Dimensions: 8.5 × 11 inches

Materials: Watercolour and graphite on paper