Updated: 6/13/2023
Status: Ongoing (2 more planned studies)
I cannot remember where I originally saw Ibrahim Gadzhimuratovich Ikhlazov’s work, but I do remember falling in love with his series, “Cargo Cult Triptych” - three paintings packed with amazing narrative, color, pattern, and composition.
Wanting to peel back his painting to learn how he creates such stunning work, I attempted my own master copy of Ibrahim’s triptych, but was ultimately humbled in the result. I made so, so many mistakes with this painting, it’s silly. What I learned:
I started with a horrible foundation. I shifted from Ibrahim’s balanced square format to a rectangle which threw everything (and I mean everything) off from the start. I thought I could just paint my way through it, but was very wrong. :)
I missed capturing the tilt of her head
I lost the shape of her eyes, which Ibrahim rendered with such emotion, turned out cold and lifeless in mine
The color and brushwork which are so vivid in Ibrahim’s painting are dull and cold in mine.
So, I’m giving myself points for the attempt, but think that I can get a much better results with a better start. I don’t think what I was able to paint on the first attempt does justice to the original. So, I will probably try to paint this one again :)
