Waheed Nasir's Paintings

Waheed Nasir is a Karachi based artist and visual developer known for his mastery in both traditional fine arts (especially oil and charcoal) and digital painting.

He has a multifaceted career, applying his traditional art background to roles in visual development, concept art, art direction, and matte painting for the digital/CG world.

Key Characteristics of Waheed Nasir's Paintings

1. Style: Traditional Impressionism with Realism

Nasir's traditional paintings, particularly his work in oil, often lean towards a traditional, impressionist style that incorporates elements of realism.

• Loose, Expressive Brushwork: His work is characterized by brushstrokes that appear loose and free, yet calculated, giving the viewer a sense of the painting's texture. He believes that one must "feel the brushwork" and that "spontaneous suggestions are always more artistic."

• Emphasis on Light and Shadow (Chiaroscuro): He has a strong focus on chiaroscuro—the arrangement of light and shade—which adds a subtle element of drama and defines the shapes of the objects in his compositions.

• Luminosity: He prefers working with oil paint because it enables him to bring out a distinct luminosity in his paintings. He often uses two techniques: a glazed and smooth approach and one with textured, bold strokes.

2. Subject Matter and Inspiration

His work is deeply inspired by nature and often focuses on the beauty of everyday life and local culture.

• Still Life: Still life is a prominent theme in his work, featuring everyday objects such as fruits and flowers, vases, vessels, bags, and baskets. He treats his still life not as static subjects but with a "kinetic force of imagination."

• Nature and Atmosphere: He finds his biggest inspiration in nature, including the sky, rain, and trees. He aims to create a specific mood, atmosphere, and story in his art that draws the viewer in and makes them think.

• Cultural Themes: He has created collections with an accent on the local culture and heritage, such as compositions featuring local artifacts. He has also created portraits, including a notable series of paintings of musician Mark Knopfler.

3. Dual Medium Mastery

A unique aspect of his career is his mastery of both traditional and digital media:

• Digital Painting: As a digital artist, he uses software like Photoshop, Painter, and Artrage for his digital paintings, treating them with the same foundational rules (composition, color theory, depth) as his real-world paintings, often creating conceptual digital pieces with a gloomy or specific atmosphere.

• Traditional Art: He has a deep background in traditional art, favoring oil on canvas for its texture and luminosity, and often using charcoal for drawing and sketching.