Old Town Acrylic Painting

This is an acrylic painting using the technique of blocked in and glazing before the additional details are added on to the subjects. The artist has used the traditional market place of Al Seef in Dubai as her inspiration for this painting. Al Seef means coast or shore in Arabic is a neighborhood in Dubai that is steeped in history that celebrates its maritime roots. Tourists and shoppers visit Al Seef to shop, dine and stay in the neighborhood. Al Seef has been given a traditional and cultural makeover that takes the visitors back to Dubai's past. In this painting, the artists portrays the same traditional sandstone buildings and alleyways of Al Seef that has been transformed into marketplace for tourists and visitors. The walls of clay and mud bricks are painted in shades of naples yellow and yellow ochre. Heavy, wooden doors that hold tradition and artistic expressions in an Arab culture are painted in rows. The overhead lights and wooden shed gives each door a sense of privacy and suggests there may be recreational activities going on behind the closed doors.

The artist paints on two Arab women in their traditional attire of abayas in the painting. With the added presence of these figures in the painting, the viewer gets the impression of their purpose in the alleyways; which could be shopping or strolling. The long nets covering the open is painted in yellow ochre. The nets are tied from one building to another to cover the open areas from harsh rays of sun and cool down the temperature. In this painting, the artist subtly uses the light and contrast of warm colors to give the feel of sunny afternoon. The addition of two women endorses the impression of some lazy activities going on in the quiet alleyways.

NOTE: The 1st image shows the full painting, with the following images showcasing closeups of the artwork, detailing the work done by the artist.

Painting is signed by the artist.

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Strolling at Souk