Interview with an artist: Chaitanya Kubal, Realism Painter || ALG-O-Rhythm

Interview with an artist: Chaitanya Kubal, Realism Painter

Writer/Interviewer: Shantanu Shinde
Mobile: +91 78878 81031
Email: s@infogelic.com 
Chaitanya's Instagram Handle: https://instagram.com/chaitanya_kubal

When someone says ‘canvas painting’, Leonardo Da Vinci, Van Gough, Picasso, Bob Ross come to our mind. And the ones with little more information might start thinking of M.F. Hussain, Raja Ravi Varma, Ravi Paranjape etc. However, there are very few people who know about the artists that are very much actively working. I interviewed a canvas painting artist, Chaitanya Kubal and we had a very detailed conversation about painting and various forms of it. Please enjoy the interview.

Please introduce yourself.

Hi, my name is Chaitanya Kubal, I am from Belgaum, currently living in Pune. I am a painter, and I also teach how to paint.

What kind of paintings do you do?

I work on an artform that I like a lot and it’s called Realism.

What is Realism Painting?

Realism painting is a painting that is based on natural shapes and forms. It might be a portrait of a person, or a painting of beautiful scenery, or any painting related to and inspired from nature. Painting exactly what is in front of oneself is a different experience altogether. That form of painting is called hyper-realism and it is like competing with the camera. There has to be some kind of artistic connectivity in the painting, some kind of contribution that the artist has made to make the painting beautiful and appealing. The artist gets total freedom to make a painting that is based on a real model, however, his/her contribution makes it more appealing. That is the way I practice realism.

How many mediums do you work in?

I work in pretty much every medium. I work in charcoal, pencil, watercolours, oil paints and acrylic paints. There are plenty of mediums such as gouch colours, water oil colours, that I haven't worked in yet. These are relatively new inventions that has the consistency of oil paints, but can be used with water as well.

Every medium has its own way, its own trick and it's only a matter of time to get accustomed to it. Having a clear concept is a key to the beautiful art piece. And once you clearly know what you want to create, you can learn and use whatever medium you want. 

What is your favourite medium?

Despite various new inventions and mediums, I prefer using oil paints in my paintings. It's just the consistency, reliability and history it has that attracts me. Oil paints are basically oil and pigments grinded together and this is one of the first paints invented. The very first paint invented is considered to be watercolours and then came oil paints. Before industrialization, before machineries, in the 18th century or prior, oil paints were made by artists themselves. Later mass production started, automation came, however, fundamentals of the oil paints aren’t changed. Even today, oil and pigments are grinded together. The richness and texture these oil paints bring forth is just amazing. 

Is sketching really important in painting?

It is crucial. It is fundamental to every type of art. If one scribbles down the idea into a sketch, it becomes very easy to convert it into the painting.

How and when did you start painting? Any formal education in Arts?

Art was a big part of my family. Parents always supported my every single decision. I have always been interested in the field of art. As I completed my 10th standard, my higher studies were inclined towards arts. Yes, I completed my formal education in arts in an art college in Belgaum. There I used to see paintings of famous realism artists every day. It was there I determined that I will pursue realism. 

When and how did your hobby turn into an earning activity?

Even though we say that there are not many people who appreciates art, however, there are people who care about new artists and their artworks. Shortly after passing out of arts college, I got a job. I worked there for a while and after that, I started freelancing. Currently, I teach painting and drawing at Ravi Paranjape Studio. 

The key to start earning from your hobby is to practice and put in your full efforts to perfect your art. 

What’s your favourite artform beside Realism Painting?

Impressionism! I gotta say Impressionism. This artform has an awesome thought process behind it. In the late renaissance, cameras were invented and made popular. Artists used to generally make portraits of people or paintings for documentation purposes, however, this was made very easy, accurate, and available by the cameras. Artists were losing their jobs by this new piece of technology. Finally, artists came together and decided to explore new ways where cameras can't go, to put their unique impression on their paintings; and so, started the artform Impressionism. The new wave of creativity started from there on. This movement wasn't against new technology. Few artists used cameras for some unique angles and scenes in their paintings. Artists started expressing themselves through their art. It was as though art was reborn. Even today this form of art is highly appreciated and followed.

Who or what is your inspiration?

I will say Impressionism is my inspiration. Its history, it’s thought process is what inspires me to be an expressive artist. I try to be expressive through every art piece I make. 

What do you think will happen to traditional painting in the era of digital painting?

There is always going to be some new technology out there. However, as history says, traditional painting is not going to be replaced soon. Even when cameras came, artists found ways to be different and include them in the traditional painting. The new technology might come with some new artform, new methods, that might get included in the traditional ways of painting.

Whichever new technology originates, there are always going to be people who like the physical canvas, actual paints, their texture, their feel, their reliability. There is no reason to be worried about traditional ways of painting.

What are your future plans?

I just want to keep painting! I just want to keep contributing my life to the artform! 

What advice would you like to give to budding painting artists?

To be good in any artform, one needs to practice a lot! Keep practicing, work hard and take efforts on your artwork, that's all I can say.

It was a treat to speak with someone so dedicated that he wants to contribute his entire life for the field he is working in. I wish best of luck for the rest of his journey.