Stories faces tell

ISSUE: 143

Aditya Narula dabbled in various vocations before he realized portraiture was the best way to express the fascinating complexities of the people he encountered along the way

What is your design philosophy?

AN: While I’ve dabbled in a wide variety of mediums, I’m most comfortable using oil. I find it the most versatile. It can mimic most mediums. I can choose how quickly or slowly the paint dries, or how thin or thick, opaque or transparent, wet or dry the paint is. Oil lends itself naturally to forms of painting
that are almost sculptural. Most importantly, I find the resultant texture and sheen quite a bit more beautiful than denser opaque mediums such as acrylic and gouache.

How does an artist find his voice in the digital era?

AN: I think no matter the era we exist in, it’s about finding one’s voice in their work. Then, the answer is simple – honesty and rigor. We learn best by doing. Be brutally honest with yourself and your work, don’t get discouraged and just keep at it. The rest follows. Everyone’s voice is unique. Rigor keeps one’s craft honed and expression sharp; and honesty is plainly evident in all good work. At this time, we have so many tools to use, and avenues to showcase our work, but it all starts with being true to your voice.

What does failure mean to you?

AN: I don’t think in terms of failure. Everything is an actual learning experience, as clichéd as it may sound. Failure as a word is highly limiting. If something goes wrong in a painting, I just do it again. In terms of material economy, oil is wonderfully forgiving. When people ask me how to get better at painting, for instance, I always mention one interesting exercise – to do the same painting twice. The kind of things you learn by doing a painting twice is surprising.

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