Creating a piece of art is a journey. It’s a process that starts with an idea and evolves into a final piece that’s layered with emotion, story, and personal expression. As an artist, I am often asked about my creative process. So, let me walk you through the steps I take, from conception to completion.
Step 1: Seeking Inspiration The genesis of my artworks often lies in the dynamic world of makeup art and fashion. I use platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and Behance to explore makeup artistry, fashion shoots, and runway shots. Over time, I’ve accumulated a vast collection of images saved on my Pinterest boards and followed numerous talented makeup artists who consistently inspire me.
Step 2: Choosing the Muse The choice of image that will inspire my next artwork depends heavily on my current mood. It could be the shadow play in a photo that captivates me, the expression on a model’s face, or sometimes, a particular color that I find myself obsessing over — quite often, it’s pink, red, or orange!
Step 3: Preparing the Canvas For the format, I typically gravitate towards A3 size, but recently, I’ve been experimenting with larger formats. The paper I use is a critical element – it must be thick and quite rough. I find that thinner or smooth papers just don’t work with my style, unless it’s a papercut watercolor mixed media piece.
Step 4: Starting the Artwork Contrary to the norm, I rarely use a graphite pencil for the initial sketch. Instead, I lean towards colored pencils or watercolor pencils, often choosing a random color to see where it takes me.
Step 5: Creating and Refining Creating an artwork is not a speedy process for me. It involves using a lot of water and applying many layers, demanding patience and time for each layer to dry. Depending on the size of the painting, the entire process can range from a few hours to an entire month. I find myself constantly tweaking and adjusting details, driven by an impatient desire to see the finished piece.
While it can sometimes be a lengthy process, each step of creating an artwork brings me joy. The detail work can be intricate and time-consuming, but it’s all part of the journey. From the initial inspiration to the final brush stroke, each piece I create is a testament to my passion for art.
For those who are interested in seeing this process in action, I invite you to watch the process videos on my YouTube channel or Instagram reels. It’s my hope that sharing my creative journey will inspire and encourage others on their own artistic paths. Happy painting!