When you look at a blank canvas, or paper, or in reality anything that has the ability to be colorful and unique, different thoughts and ideas swirl your mind. You think, is this the right angle, will this incorporate my colors, or display the effect that I want? There are multiple thoughts that come to your mind, and the hard part is choosing any one. Finally, when you choose one idea or thought, the implementation is what is tricky. Whether you design/draw via measurements or free- hand, you always wish to get the best result.
The same happened with me. While at home, there was a power outrage in our area, for almost 5 hours we were dependent on sunlight. Till when can one stay in the dark? You eventually find your way towards the light. That is exactly what happened with me. While staring at a blank canvas in my dark room, a bulb flicked and I carried all my materials outside towards the lawn.
In my hand I carried a wooden easel (which was taller than me and I am a good 5ft 10 inches), a 5 foot Drawing canvas, and a bucket full of stationery that I would use. My personal favorites are oil paints, but what irks me about them is the drying process. I like doing my work at my accordance; not waiting for anyone or anything to be dependent on.
I took out my scrapbook which had the best images which I would want to draw, but unfortunately don’t have the time to do so. I found an old picture of a few people. Figure drawing had never been my forte but after consistent drawing, practice had made me almost perfect.
I took a light sketch pencil (HB Thunder of Shark) and started free hand drawing. I thought how it was a good day to try something different, so I explored my options. I was never one to draw flowers, so I thought what the heck, I could always start today and maybe even like it. I had a reference of a large rose with petals, and a few leaves. While in the middle of drawing my rose, I started to become bored. Not much was going on. I like doing something that is complicated so that I can eventually try to get a result of it by improvising.
I put my pencil down and opened my water color set. I first thought about starting with the leaves as green color is something that intrigues me. I took the number 2,4 and 6 brush and started with all the details of the leaves. From the basic veins, to the shadow and wiltedness, I was in the zone of not missing even the tiniest of detail. I took all of the greens in its family and started painting one stroke at a time. Initially I had layered a light coating of sap green throughout all the leaves, leaving only a few occasional white spaces for reflection and light. Then I started going darker towards the second layer and eventually mixing my greens with oranges, greys and browns to create a rustic dry effect.
Fast-forward I was done with my leaves and had applied a light layer of masking fluid on the area where I wanted a shine or the whites to stand out. I started with a light hue of pinks and purple and then quickly dabbed large amount of paint on the canvas. Going at a certain angle, side-ways or upwards, there is no time for imperfections. With my eyes zeroed in towards each dot, each line, I looked at what I was creating. Every few seconds I would take a step back and examine my work. I’d tilt my head and put my paintbrush in my mouth as a form of self-critiquing.
Within 4 hours I had done the impossible. Well it wasn’t impossible, but the difficulty level was so high that it would be easy to give up rather than to try and fail. But, I didn’t fail. I did an amazing job and was struck with the thought if this is even mine. How had I done such a large, intricate and beautiful piece, when I still made weird arms and legs?
The art was speaking to me; no one was able to stop me. I had done what I really wanted. I’d poured my heart and soul into it and gotten a result of just that.