Painting is the act of applying paint or another medium to a surface to create a visual artwork. But is creating a painting as easy as the definition makes it sound?
Such a simple definition hardly captures the depth of what painting truly represents. Art, and specifically painting, transcends explanation. It is a feeling, an experience, a form of expression that cannot be explained in a single sentence.
For some, painting serves as an emotional outlet to release stress and tension. For others, it becomes a medium for self-expression, a space to communicate thoughts and emotions that words fail to convey. While, for many, it's simply a hobby that brings joy and fulfillment.
The role painting plays in one's life is as unique as the individual creating it.
My journey into the world of painting began with this question: What is painting? It didn’t come through a deliberate search or grand revelation. Like a mother tongue, it came naturally, flowing effortlessly as if it were always meant to be. Have you ever thought about what paintings mean to you? As you think about that, let me show you some of my creations, brought to life with color. 1.
When life becomes overwhelming for a teenager, finding a way to express those feelings is crucial. For me, that expression took the form of a drawing. I took out my new sketchbook, gathered my paints, and found a reference to guide me. I just poured my emotions onto the sheet. The result was a reflection of what I was feeling.
2.
While scrolling through Pinterest, I was amazed by the diverse representations of women from various cultures. The beauty in these differences struck me deeply. Among the many images, one of a stunning Bengali woman sitting near a lake caught my attention. I took inspiration from it and decided to create my next artwork based on this scene. To dive deeper into the subject, I researched Bengali women's art and came across an image of three women sitting, a blend of surrealism and elements of Kali. Drawing from this reference, I set to work, bringing the powerful painting to life.
Collage Art by Sunanda S Well, this might seem confusing at first glance and might make your head turn. So, let me break it down for you. It's a collage of body and face sketches placed on different-colored sticky notes, along with a hand print, all created with sketch pens. I’ve always loved chaotic art, and this piece captures that feeling perfectly. It's a reflection of my artistic style and my fascination with disorder and expression.
Chaotic Art, Made by Sunanda S The journey into identity-less, chaotic art continued as I began to experiment further. I started doodling various faces and figures, blending them into collages with words. This evolving style allowed me to explore the intersection of imagery and language.
Painting Made by Sunanda S This piece was my first attempt at traditional painting techniques, incorporating shadows, texture, and more. Until then, I had relied on my self-taught style, but I felt the need to step outside of my comfort zone for a visual arts exam. For this work, I used poster paint on a 180gsm sheet as the base, challenging myself to explore new methods and elevate my skills.
Self-Expression Art by Sunanda S This piece serves as an exploration of self-expression, blending various influences and styles. The first figure, a girl with glasses, was inspired by the image of a pop star, while the second woman draws influence from the work of artist Junji Ito. The Blue Woman is a representation of a character straight out of the Euphoria series. The hand, meanwhile, was inspired by the Wednesday Addams movie. Overall, this sketch imagines what horror might look like if it were integrated into the visually striking world of Euphoria, combining elements of both surrealism and darkness.
HER, Painted by Sunanda S The painting is titled HER, inspired by the film of the same name. The movie deeply influenced my creation, as it explored the evolving relationship between humans and AI. It highlighted the growing dependence on technology and the possibility that, in the future, humans might have AI companions—both boyfriends and girlfriends. With this in mind, I imagined what such beings might look like and portrayed them in this artwork, capturing a glimpse of what our future connections with AI could potentially become.
Doodle Art, Made by Sunanda S This piece is another example of my doodle art, created by gathering random suggestions from people and making them into a single composition. At some point, I may need to give this style a name. I worked on a 200gsm sheet, starting with a basic pencil sketch before applying acrylic paint to bring the piece to life.
A Colourful Painting Made by Sunanda S This piece is a sketchbook artwork inspired by a reference I found on Pinterest. The blue-highlighted figure in the painting was originally a multilayered work, but I chose to simplify the approach. I created this at the start of 2024, wanting to begin the year with a masterpiece, and this is what I came up with. I painted it on a 200 gsm sheet using acrylic paint and incorporated colored pencils for shading effects, adding depth and texture to the overall composition.
Junk Art, Made by Sunanda S In an attempt to try junk journaling, I drew my favorite characters from the movie Corpse Bride. I combined these drawings with random pieces of paper from my storybook and even added a dead leaf. I had to draw a dead flower since I couldn’t find one, but as an artist exploring new techniques, sometimes you have to make do with what you have. I created my junk journal using art and the minimal amount of junk possible.
I believe it’s always better to try something new, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist. Exploring new mediums and techniques is essential because art is an endless journey of learning. All of my artworks are either inspired by other art or born from my unique expression. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is sketch whatever comes to your mind.
It's never too late to find your art type or just sketch out whatever you see. Always try everything when it costs nothing!!
For your next art inspiration, check out Artistica Strokes' website and Instagram. Edited by Shreya Biswas
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