The Massive Wave

The Massive Wave - Part 2

Jul 6, 2022

Starting to Paint

This post will provide the readers a rare glimpse into the artists mind as a painting evolves from its concept to its conclusion.

This project is a commission and is going to be the largest paintings thatI have painted.

My first challenge came when I realized that despite owning one of the largest easels on the market, it was not capable of holding all the three panels together. I had to either paint with the canvases on the floor which I tried and failed or paint on one panel at a time. I decided on the latter.

Fig 1: Trying To Paint A Single Panel At A Time

My Idea of painting one panel at a time did not pan out as planned. Trying to switch the panels back and forth not only created a colourful mess as the wet oil paint with the consistancy of soft butter (oil paints may take weeks or months to dry) had a tendency to stick to every inch of exposed skin and clothes. Moreover, it prevented smooth flow of the brushwork across the entire painting. Trying to fit 2 canvas panels side by side on the easel also resulted in diasaster as both the panels were perched precariously on the narrow easel base and often fell on the floor while applying paint vigourously.

After much thought, I decided to screw several long wooden strips to the back of all the panels at various levels to make all three panels into a single piece. Eureka! It worked. Aha! what relief.

The Figure 1: shows the composition with the penninsula bearing the trees and bushes blocked-in and the approximate position of the wave and the clouds.

At this stage the painting looks very ugly. almost urging you to quit and abandon the project.

Fig 2: All 3 Canvas Panels “Stiched" Together With Screwed Wooden Slats At The Back

With the panels now stable, the sky was painted around the clouds and down upto the crest of the wave. The painting is taking shape.

Fig 3: Further Refinements

Fig 3: With the clouds and the wave loosely painted, the painting, thankfully, like lipstick on a pig, is starting to look more presentable. However, the end is nowhere in sight.

Follow me as I continue with thisexciting project over the next couple of weeks.

Follow me as I continue this exciting project over the next couple of weeks. If you subscribe to my blog/newsletter, you will receive the future posts in your email inbox.

Thank you for following.

Mohamed Hirji