Given his strong propensity for color, it’s somewhat surprising to learn that Abel Antonysamy starts his paintings by sketching out the areas where he does not want to use color.  Just as critical to a painting are the white spaces that he arranges-to create a sense of rhythm and balance.  Guided by the idea that “white is light,” the artist makes sure to distribute this light effectively through-out his compositions.

The artist’s next consideration is where to build maximum contrast-to emphasize his focal point-and how he might subdivide the rest of the space to facilitate movement around this center of interest.  The application of this notanlike principle is what gives his compositions a strong underlying value structure with well-placed white shapes. 

To create this compositional plan and value structure, the artist invariably uses a pencil sketch as a starting point.  The complexities of all his subjects are first decoded through this preparatory step.  Taking time to do this sketch is vital for a successful painting, and it’s one of the key lessons he teaches his students.

Another piece of advice he offers to beginners is to always be looking for ways to discover and define their artistic voice-their own inspiration and expression as an artist.  “Masters are there to guide us,” he says, “but one should never blindly copy their style unless it’s meant for practice.”  The best thing artists can do is get out of their own way, clearing a path to paint something original and personally meaningful.

Abel Antonysamy recognizes that often, it’s anxiety about a painting’s outcome and doubts about technique that throw artists off course, obscuring their initial motivation for painting the subject.  These so-called failures, however if we learn from them-have the potential to become flag-stones that lead us back to ourselves and our own unique style.