Meditative Sceneries Enhanced With Vivid Hues and Lively Textures
Even for the most proficient artist, it can pose a challenge to reproduce hand-drawn intricacies in a digital format. There’s an intimacy in traditional art, where each layer, brushstroke, and line suggests glimpses of the individual who crafted them. Perhaps that’s the reason Bao Pham gradually shifted away from digital artistry and returned to conventional mediums, whether acrylic, gouache, watercolor, or colored pencil.
Regardless of the technique he employs for a project, the Iowa-based artist exudes confidence, producing vibrant canvases that burst with texture. His colored pencil artworks, for example, are painstakingly engraved, reflecting the gentle graininess typically linked with the medium. His watercolors, conversely, are delightful in their liquidity, with each hue so translucent and so carefully applied that they nearly mimic a dewdrop. Pham’s illustrative style serves to elevate the tools he utilizes, stripping away any superfluous elements to prioritize color, technique, and subject matter above all else.
As a result, Pham’s compositions might initially appear straightforward, portraying women with tranquil facial features against minimalist backdrops. However, these characteristics are precisely what enable the artist’s work to thrive. This is particularly notable in one of his widely appreciated pieces, originally designed last year to honor Tết, Vietnam’s Lunar New Year. The watercolor showcases a woman adorned with large flowers in her black hair, her eyes shut to unveil her yellow makeup and striking eyeliner. Encircling her is a stream of golden smoke, while fireworks explode behind her.
In summary, the composition isn’t overly intricate: there’s a singular central figure against a solid background, accented by a limited number of golden details. Nevertheless, any potential distractions have been eliminated, thus inviting us to simply observe and connect. Instantly, Pham’s artistry is made evident, allowing us to witness each movement, the subtleties in every tone, and the fluency of his linework. In a realm frequently inundated with visual stimuli, this perspective is not only rejuvenating but essential.
To remain informed about the artist’s latest creations, follow Bao Pham on Instagram. Select prints are also accessible through his Etsy shop.