From Vision to Completion
Have you ever wondered how a painting begins? On Ali Paintings, each piece tells a story from the first brushstroke to the final detail, revealing a journey of light, shadow, and intentional choices. I’m excited to share this process with you on the On the Easel tab, where I showcase select works in progress. Today, I’ll take you through my latest piece, Cuppa, from its raw beginnings to its finished form, capturing the beauty of everyday life—and redefining what "beautiful" means.
Inspiration and Photography: The Starting Point
Every painting begins with a vision, and for me, that starts with finding the right model and pose. I work from photographs, selecting from dozens or even asking my models to pose in specific ways. It’s a collaborative process that requires dedication not only from me but also from the models, who often go through multiple variations to achieve just the right look.
For Cuppa, I was drawn to the quiet intimacy of a sunny morning scene: an older gentleman, nude and comfortable, savoring a hot cup of tea. In the final composition, he sits in a chair with a large window behind him, light streaming in and creating playful patterns on his belly and the surrounding space. His plants peek through the window, adding life to the background and reflecting his love of gardening. His hand gestures toward the viewer, inviting us into his serene moment.
In this piece, as with many of my works, I aim to capture the beauty of the male form in its most natural, unpretentious state. Beauty is not restricted by age or societal expectations. Through each line and shadow, I celebrate the uniqueness of this man and his everyday ritual, elevating a simple cup of tea to something contemplative and beautiful.
The Foundation: A Wash of Sienna or Magenta
Once I have the vision, I prepare the canvas with a base coat, usually a warm sienna or vibrant magenta. This initial wash sets the tone and depth for the layers to come. In Cuppa, I opted for a sienna base, which adds warmth and earthiness—a fitting foundation for a scene that exudes comfort and warmth. This wash also provides a hint of the underlying tones that will bring cohesion to the final work.
Painting Dark to Light: A Dance of Push and Pull
In my approach to painting, I typically move from dark to light, layering shadows first before working up to the highlights. However, each piece has its own rhythm, and sometimes this means going back and forth, dark to light, then dark again. It’s a dance—a push and pull that brings dimension and depth.
For Cuppa, I focused on the play of light streaming through the blinds, casting intricate patterns across his form. These highlights dance on his skin, illuminating the gentle folds and contours that tell a story of life and experience. His skin isn’t young or airbrushed—it’s real, with textures that speak to a life well-lived.
Through this process of layering, I aim to create a sense of depth that invites viewers to linger, noticing the little details—the light on his hand, the curve of his belly, the subtle invitation in his gesture. Painting this way allows me to explore the contrast between shadow and light, bringing out the essence of my subjects.
The Message Behind the Painting
One of the main messages of Ali Paintings is that beauty is not confined to youth or conventional standards. We are bombarded with images of youthful perfection in art and media, often overlooking the beauty found in older bodies, in natural gestures, in simple, unscripted moments. Cuppa is a reminder that beauty exists in all forms and stages of life.
This painting, like others in my collection, portrays a nude male in an everyday moment, challenging the viewer’s perception of male beauty. Society has long embraced the beauty of the female nude, often in idealized forms, but the male body is equally deserving of appreciation in its natural state, its quiet moments, and its individuality. Cuppa emphasizes that beautiful does not mean "perfect"; it means authentic, real, and unapologetically human.
Explore the Process: On the Easel
For those who are curious about the stages of creation, I invite you to visit the On the Easel tab at alipaintings.com/collections/future-works. Here, you can see works like Cuppa in their rough, early stages, with raw sketches and base coats that hint at what’s to come. Each piece goes through its own evolution, and sharing these snapshots gives you a glimpse into the heart of my creative process.
Art is a journey, and each painting unfolds in its own time, shaped by every decision, every stroke, and every layer. I hope Cuppa and the other works in progress inspire you to look beyond the surface and appreciate the depth and complexity in every phase of creation. Thank you for following along on this journey of light, shadow, and authenticity.