Like I said, look at the timeline of his work. Before 2002, everything he did was a one-color stencil (usually black). After that, he started putting down a white base layer like a certain other artist who was fairly well known by then. Banksy had been using stencils since the late 90s. 

That might not sound like a very big difference, but when you look at the work, this doesn't look too similar to Banksy.




Blek takes credit for being the "father of stencil art." Stencil art has been around for at least 1,200 years and stencil graffiti began showing up in NYC in the 60s and 70s. So he didn't invent the stencil and he didn't invent stencil graffiti. If two people choose to paint stencils of people, some similarities are inevitable.

So in short, I think the similarities between their work are overstated, especially when you compare Blek's early work to Banksy. I also think Blek has made a pretty good career for himself using Banksy's name every chance he gets.