When did you first feel like, “This is it. This is the work I want to be known for”?

I don’t think there was one defining moment. For me, it’s been a lifelong journey of self-discovery. I couldn’t have predicted where it would lead, but I knew I was doing something that really meant a lot to me. I’m proud that, through my work, so many others have shared in that meaning.

Which part of the creative process is your favorite, and why?

This might sound cliché, but solving problems is one of my favorite parts of the process. I both love and dread staring at a blank page and slowly bringing something to life. It feels like an adventure — I never know what I’ll create, and I always look forward to that eureka moment, like, “There it is!”Another part I really enjoy is sharing the work and seeing how audiences interpret it. I love the discoveries they make. It’s as if the piece gains a second life through their interpretation.

Are there any creative rules you swear by, or break just for fun?

A big part of my process involves working in shades of gray. It helps me focus on the essentials, like composition, subject matter, and contrast, and plays a big role in how I solve problems. This approach stems from my background in graphic design and visual communication. I’ve found that if something works in gray, it will also work in color, and that has proven to be consistently true.

Name the unsung hero in your Affinity workflow.

Being able to finish a piece in a single app, without switching formats or workflows, is something I absolutely love. I enjoy tweaking my work until there’s nothing left to adjust, and being able to work in a non-linear way makes that process so much easier.

What’s something Affinity just gets right?

The phrase “For Creatives, by Creatives” perfectly sums up what Affinity means to me. For a long time, the creative community has needed a tool that’s truly designed for them and dedicated to creativity, and Affinity is exactly that.I’ve had the pleasure of being part of the journey toward the launch of the most recent version, and I’ve seen firsthand how committed the team is to giving creatives a voice and providing a professional tool that delivers on that promise.

Ellsphee

Illustrator

•

Motion designer

•

South Africa

•

Pro Panel

Sphelele Gumede, also known as Ellsphee, is a multidisciplinary artist working across motion design, illustration, video editing, and creative direction. His work is shaped by a clear vision and strong technical skill, bringing ideas to life through bold, thoughtful visual storytelling. With experience spanning print, TV, and digital, he creates work that connects across platforms and feels relevant to both audiences and brands.

Start of section: Creative work

Skip to end of “Creative work” section

Creative work

A Thing for You is part of Ellsphee’s Things series, exploring portraiture through abstract shapes and expressive composition.→

Illustration

Part of I’m Happy Now, this work reflects a life shaped by gratitude, contentment, and a renewed sense of quiet joy.→

Illustration

An exploratory portrait created while learning Affinity Studio, blending experimentation, intuition, and expressive form.→

Illustration

Exploring the visual language of calm, this piece depicts an individual suspended in a moment of inner stillness and quiet clarity.→

Illustration

A celebratory illustration capturing the sensory joy of flavor, community, and shared moments inspired by a century of Robertson’s Spices.→

Illustration

Skip to start of “Creative work” section

End of section: Creative work

“Affinity has revolutionized my workflow, allowing me to elevate my work to new heights. I never imagined I could accomplish so much within a single app, and being able to complete an artwork from start to finish without leaving it is a dream come true."

Q&A

I don’t think there was one defining moment. For me, it’s been a lifelong journey of self-discovery. I couldn’t have predicted where it would lead, but I knew I was doing something that really meant a lot to me. I’m proud that, through my work, so many others have shared in that meaning.
This might sound cliché, but solving problems is one of my favorite parts of the process. I both love and dread staring at a blank page and slowly bringing something to life. It feels like an adventure — I never know what I’ll create, and I always look forward to that eureka moment, like, “There it is!”
Another part I really enjoy is sharing the work and seeing how audiences interpret it. I love the discoveries they make. It’s as if the piece gains a second life through their interpretation.
A big part of my process involves working in shades of gray. It helps me focus on the essentials, like composition, subject matter, and contrast, and plays a big role in how I solve problems. This approach stems from my background in graphic design and visual communication. I’ve found that if something works in gray, it will also work in color, and that has proven to be consistently true.
Being able to finish a piece in a single app, without switching formats or workflows, is something I absolutely love. I enjoy tweaking my work until there’s nothing left to adjust, and being able to work in a non-linear way makes that process so much easier.
The phrase “For Creatives, by Creatives” perfectly sums up what Affinity means to me. For a long time, the creative community has needed a tool that’s truly designed for them and dedicated to creativity, and Affinity is exactly that.
I’ve had the pleasure of being part of the journey toward the launch of the most recent version, and I’ve seen firsthand how committed the team is to giving creatives a voice and providing a professional tool that delivers on that promise.

Bold portrait illustration by South African artist Ellsphee showing a stylized woman in red with graphic, flowing shapes.