Art-Devine-Slasher

Step by step painting demonstrations, FREE painting tips and tutorials.

Archive for category Videos

Painting of a Village scene: Step by step demonstration

Jan 26

Posted by Nkolika in Videos | No Comments

Step by Step painting demonstration

A village scene

Acrylic on 8″ x 10″ canvas board

This is a painting I did last year (when I had a sudden flow of painting energy. Not now when all I want to do is sleep!!!…..ain’t easy harbouring a tiny being.). I particularly liked producing this painting because I was trying out a new approach or technique called Imprimatura (i:e painting on coloured canvas).

I had always made it a point of duty to leave myself open to the discovery of new things and to always strive to do something new everyday. Thus when I came across a demonstration by an artist on the art forum to which I belong, where he was using the technique, I thought it’ll be fun to try it out.

To read more about how I went about getting the painting done and the colours I used, this exhaustive step by step break down would provide all you need to know. There you can understand how I got over my initial fright and ended up enjoying the whole process.

The painting is for sale and can be bought here. I hope you’ll enjoy watching the video and reading the article.

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Acrylic Still life painting

Jan 17

Posted by Nkolika in Acrylic paintings, Videos | No Comments

Acrylic Still life painting by Nkolika Anyabolu (MD)

Apple on a table

Acrylic on paper

13.5cm x 21.5cm

SOLD

I have been listening to some classical pieces since yesterday. I had not listened to them for a while and I had totally forgotten how much peace I get from listening to them. Shubert’s Ave Maria always evokes a feeling in me that’s so deep that all I can do when I listen to it is cry. There are so many other versions of Ave Maria like Bach’s version but I love Schubert’s piece more. It’s a perfect piece to wake up to in the morning. It always calms the nerves and spreads peace in the atmosphere. For me it always brings to light the remarkable beginning of our salvation through the Virgin Mary’s humble acceptance of the will of God when angel Gabriel came to her with God’s message. How many of us are willing to totally abandon ourselves, our plans and dreams at God’s feet and humbly submit to His will. Even when we know that what He wants may not always be what we want for ourselves.

Charlotte Church singing Ave Maria

The day I found Charlotte Church‘s rendition of this beautiful piece, I was mesmerized. I got to know Charlotte through my mum (who’s also a soprano singer with a heavenly voice. And at 73yrs still sings beautifully). She came home one day from Glasgow with dozens of classical CDs (that’s how I accumulated so many of them) and she was so in love with Charlotte who was still a very small girl then. Now she’s all grown and I think her voice is still magical.

There are so many beautiful people with beautiful talents/gifts. Many people tell me I’m blessed because I’m very good at doing things with my hands/fingers. But I always feel I am no different from everyone else. That does not in anyway mean I don’t appreciate my talent neither does it mean I am not grateful to God. I strongly believe we all have something we are good at…………..something hidden away somewhere deep within us. All it needs is determination and self confidence on our side to build it up.

I hope you would reach deep inside you to discover your gifts and if you have, I encourage you to press on. Never give up…….one day you would get to that point where the world would discover your worth and appreciate your talent.

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At work on my canvas

Jan 6

Posted by Nkolika in Videos | 2 Comments

Painting for me (and for many other creative people) is a way of reaching out from beyond myself. I feel so much peace when I paint. And there is always an overwhelming  feeling of accomplishment that comes with every finished work of art. Spending time with my brush and canvas is not something that happens all the time. But when the opportunity presents itself, I am always determined to make the best out of it.

I have never had a regular studio………….O well except for the room I used in this video. It was the living room of the house I was staying in while carrying out the compulsory one year service to my nation, Nigeria. The minute I walked into the house I knew exactly what I was going to do do with the room. That goes to prove that artists  are always planning and trying to figure out where and how their canvas and brushes would fit in anywhere they go.

Aside from that period, I never had a regular studio. Even as I write this, I use a corner of my living room to paint. I am kind of used to using corners. Some artists paint on their kitchen table others simply make out a space anywhere they find themselves. I’ve heard some people say that not having a regular studio makes an artist look unserious. O well, I simply do not agree (not because I am one of them!!!!……..but because it’s the determination that matters). What do you think?

Just wanted to put up this video of me at work on my canvas. How time flies and how I thoroughly enjoyed having a studio. Looking forward to the time I would have a permanent studio.

I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God’s help I shall succeed.

Vincent Van-Gogh

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