Behind the Brush: An Inside Look at My Creative Process
I believe art is a journey, not just a result. Here is a peek into my studio and the steps I take to bring a blank canvas to life, from the first rough sketch to the final touch.
Watch the process behind one of my oil portraits. Starting with a simple sketch, I build up layers of colour to bring the face to life, focusing on the rich red of the kufi and the texture of the white beard.
This video shows the creation of a watercolour portrait from start to finish. You can see how I let the colours bleed and blend to create the skin tones and hair, trusting the process to bring the character to life.
The morning is the best time for sketching. Here is a look at my process for a charcoal portrait, enjoying the simple act of drawing and watching the face emerge from the paper.
This is the process of creating my spiritual painting 'KUN FAYA KUN'. As the voiceover says, life keeps moving, you just have to enjoy the process and keep going. That's the rule.
Trust the process. This video shows the unpredictable nature of watercolour. I start with loose washes of colour and slowly add details, letting the water and pigment guide me to the final portrait.
Maja ata he live portrait banane me! There's a different kind of energy when you're out drawing live. This video shows me on my way to a session and then getting lost in the process of a charcoal sketch.
Pata nahi kaisa banega... but you have to try. This video shows the initial stages of an oil portrait, using a palette knife to add texture and highlights, and trusting that the final piece will be impactful.
A time-lapse of a watercolour sadhu painting. It's amazing to see the layers build up, from the first wash of yellow for the turban to the fine details that define his expression.
This video shows me working on a large, detailed watercolour figure painting. Capturing the intricate patterns on the clothing requires a lot of patience and a steady hand, but I love the result.
Back to posting videos after a while! Here's a look at my process for a large, conceptual oil painting, building up the fiery, flowing shapes around the central face.
About Behind the Brush: The Creative Process
You might wonder how a raw canvas turns into a final portrait. When you commission a piece, I believe in showing you the journey, not just the finished artwork. Whether I am building oil layers for a deep texture or mixing watercolours for a portrait, you see every step in these videos. This isn't just about the art, it is about keeping you in the loop so you know exactly what is happening with your piece from day one.
Art is a process of patience. When I work on a commission, I make sure the materials and the technique serve the memory you want to keep.
My Approach to Custom Work
- Oil Painting: For my oil portrait painting commissions, I use a layered approach with glazes and impasto. Because oil paint needs time to settle and dry between layers, I usually require 3 to 5 weeks for completion. It is a slow, meditative process, but the result is a piece that lasts for generations.
- Watercolour Portraits: For these, I use professional-grade Chitrapat handmade paper. Watercolour is unpredictable, which is exactly why I love it. You will see in my process videos how I let the colours bleed and blend to get those realistic skin tones and atmospheric backgrounds.
- Charcoal & Pencil: My charcoal sketch commission work focuses on high-contrast drama. I use premium Staedtler pencils and Willow Charcoal on heavyweight fine-grain paper. Every detail, from the wrinkles on an elderly person's face to the folds of a saree, is built up layer by layer until it feels real.
Why I Share the Process
Many artists hide the messy middle parts of a painting. I prefer to share them. Watching a blank surface evolve into a character—like the spiritual figures I paint or the everyday faces I find in Varanasi—is where the real story lives. Whether it is a custom mural for your home or a small A4 charcoal portrait, I want you to feel connected to the art before it even reaches your wall. If you have an idea, let us talk about how we can make it happen.
Mohammad Faizan
I am Faizan, and for me, art is less about the final product and more about the sukoon I find while working. Whether I am out capturing a live sketch or layering oils in my studio, I focus on the feeling behind the work. I want to make sure you enjoy the story behind your painting as much as I enjoyed creating it.
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