Decoding Daily Deviations: Dead End

Share with readers the details of how this piece came into being. Did you have a clear story idea/inspiration from the beginning?  

I was always a fan of dark pieces that come with slight lights, car reflections, a little bit of fog accompanied with rainy weather, captured in a small and narrow alley. I've always wanted to try it and see if I can manage to do it well. At the time I was inspired by a lot of pieces that I cannot recall now."

“Dead End” showcases realistic surroundings with a palpable mood of suspense and tension. Please, discuss your creative process and the techniques involved with incorporating so many details.

The process was a bit gradual: I started with rough boxes inside the "Sketchup" software, setting up my camera angle and the overall scene. I didn't spend much time modeling everything because all I wanted were some guidelines so I could underlay my painting with. I did use the "Vray" render engine so I could see where my lights cast and adjust everything accordingly."

Did you encounter any creative challenges when working on the piece? If so, how did you tackle them? Is there anything you would do differently now if you could? 

As a matter of fact, I did, I really struggled a lot with this particular image. Due to the war that was waged upon our country, there was no electricity or internet, and I had to recharge my laptop in a store and go back to work with it. So it took me time and effort to come up with the way it looks now. I'm still in love with this piece; it taught me patience and determination. It also imprinted some special moods I used to be in, but I guess that's what makes it the way it looks. I spent over a month, two hours a day, tweaking and doing heavy painting as fast as I could before my laptop battery died. Also, I had to be careful where I should add more light or dim some. I've come to believe that what takes time in any artwork is trying to figure out what to add or what to take from a piece rather than just working on it."

What’s one piece of advice that you would share with other artists hoping to reach this standard of work in the future? 

Practice is the key factor, lots of work and many attempts even if you fail with any piece. Also, don't force yourself or feel obliged to finish up an artwork when your mood is running out of energy that may affect the quality of your work. It's also good to keep any piece of work down for a day or two and come back to it with a fresh eye so you can spot what's wrong, if anything."

I loved it, seriously. It feels amazing to have another DD in 3 years, almost. I felt energetic again to keep doing some crazy stuff no matter what it takes. I always believed that good work has its own shine and positive interaction. Quality matters!"

Thanks to Najeeb-Alnajjar for kindly consenting to the interview!

Make sure to visit his gallery for more great pieces: 

 

Previous Decoding DDs:

Wizard and a Goose
Twilight Enchantment
Bewitched and Betrayed
Walls
The Cordyceps King
Vicious Cycle
Spoiled Princess
Retired
Incoming
Artificial Guardian
Mountain View
Monster Eating Vampire
Roth
Death Knight
Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland)
Dragon Watchers
The journey and the big fish
Forrest Defender
Red Snow
Catching Spirits
The Tomb King
I'm fine
Despoiled
Cat Girl
Forest of Bunnies
The Journey
Boulderback
FIELD OF THORNS: OFFER
Malavestros: Muse of Madness
Jet Futura
The Northern Administration
Prisoned Singer
Don Kichote
On The Hunt
The Platform
I know a bank
Love and war
52Hz
Chase, The Dreamer
Mad
Until the End of the World..
Crow Temple
Accolade
Dragon's Breath

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