In this week's "Behind the Process," we'll take a deep dive into the creation of an oil painting on death anxiety that has been a year in the making. The time and effort invested in this artwork have left me incredibly proud of the result. What's more, my perspective on death and the associated fears has evolved significantly. Even in today's society, discussing death and death anxiety remains a topic often met with apprehension. It's either shrouded in fear or dismissed due to various beliefs, often left unspoken.
The idea for this particular painting first sprouted in November 2020, a time when the pandemic had already been affecting our lives for several months. To plan the positioning of the flowers and establish the composition, I initially crafted a digital sketch or mock-up. Using Procreate on my iPad, this sketch provided the groundwork for the artwork's journey.
The initial selection of flowers I considered for this final sketch was different. I started with roses and lilies, as they are commonly associated with funerals in this country. However, I sensed that something wasn't quite right with those flowers, and they didn't resonate with me. It was then that I made the deliberate decision to opt for magnolia flowers and red spider lilies. Red spider lilies hold deep symbolism in Japan, signifying farewells and rebirth, and I've always held a profound appreciation for Japanese culture. This flower seemed like the perfect fit for the concept I had in mind. I also incorporated magnolia flowers as they often represent life, even though the actual magnolia blooms are not naturally blue. I chose the colour blue to align with the dark tones and pastels in my chosen colour scheme.
Following the creation of a digital sketch, I applied Payne's grey acrylic paint across my 36 x 48 canvas and used a printed design for transfer. Given the intricate details involved, I preferred not to draw it by hand. I connected the printed sheets, utilized conte for transferring the sketch, positioned it onto the canvas, and proceeded to add further intricacies to the design. Once the design was firmly in place on the canvas, I covered it with white acrylic paint before embarking on the process of filling in the finer details using oils.
Once I had this design laid out, I could at last start applying oil paint. My biggest oil painting to date, it was a challenge and I learned a lot from it. Below are the colours and med I utilized:
Daler and Rowney Georgian - Mixing White
Gamblin 1980 - Titainum Buff
Gamblin 1980 - Ultramarine Blue
Gamblin 1980 - Quinacridone Magenta
Gamblin 1980 - Burnt Umber
Gamblin 1980 - Cadmium Red Light
Gamblin Artist Oils - Paynes Grey
Gamblin Artist Oils - Radiant White
Gamblin Artist Oils - Radiant Magenta
Gamblin Artist Oils - Radiant Blue
Gamblin Artist Oils - Radiant Yellow
Gamblin Artist Oils - Radiant Turquoise
Gamblin Artist Oils - Pale Gold
Gamblin Solvent-Free Gel
Gamblin Galkyd Gel
Gamblin Gamsol Solvent - to clean brushes
I embarked on an artistic experiment with this piece, delving into new colour palettes and different mediums, pushing the boundaries of my creativity. The process was highly experimental, leading me to uncover my favourite colour combinations and the perfect media for achieving the level of detail I envisioned.
As I navigated the creation of this painting, my life was undergoing significant shifts. It started on a high note when I moved into an art studio and secured a new job. However, circumstances took a downturn when I lost my art studio due to financial constraints caused by health issues arising from my job. I found myself jobless for nearly three months. It was a challenging four-month period, but the completion of this painting marked a turning point, as it was a testament to my dedication and self-improvement efforts.
Despite the whirlwind of changes in my life, I continued to work on the painting whenever possible, documenting the entire process on film. You can find a link to the video on my YouTube channel. This painting, in its entirety, served as a vehicle for confronting my greatest fear of mortality, fostering acceptance of others, and providing a space for contemplation of my beliefs. In the process, even some of my beliefs about the afterlife underwent a transformation.
This artwork will soon be available as prints, and I'm contemplating the sale of the original piece in my shop. Keep checking back for updates on the prints and the original artwork. Feel free to reach out with any questions, and remember to follow me on social media for the latest updates on new blogs, artwork, and other exciting information!
Comments