Absolom Dube beautifully brought Claudia's vision to life, weaving exotic African motifs into a stunning painting, where vibrant blue evoked a sense of holiday spirit. What's your wish?
A request by Claudia from Berlin, Germany
I would like a painted picture with African motifs (exotic, holiday) in which blue plays an essential role. Measurements approx. 90 cm.
The Journey of Creating Painted picture with African motifs – commissioned work
Negotiation & Planning
Hello, I am happy to provide an offer for your idea. You did ask for a painting of approximately 90cm by 90cm, African motifs with either an exotic or holiday theme, the color blue is to play a significant prominence. anything I may have missed out? Are we looking at lighter blues or dark? Would you prefer acrylic or oil as a medium? or would you also consider oil pastel?
Looking forward to more of your preference to better enhance my understanding in order to realise your idea appropriately.
Thank you and kind regards.
Absalom Aswani
Hallo, thanks very much for your message. To the questions: I actually had more of a vibrant blue in mind rather than baby blue. Something in the way of royal blue. I would find acrylic or oil rather nicer than oil pastel.
Thanks very much already for the questions. I wouldn't have thought that I'd have any idea in this regard. I'm already very curious about all the next stages.
Kind regards
Claudia
Dear Claudia,
I have sent an approximate cost for the artwork, regarding your idea which is slightly higher than your proposed cost for your consideration.
Kind regards,
Absalom
Crafting Process
Artisan’s Progress Updates
Dear Claudia,
Hope this finds you well.
My apologies for the time it has taken for the progress response. By the time I received the confirmation to proceed, I had traveled on another assignment outside my country.
However, I have attached some sketches for the realization in order to get you view and choice at this stage. I will then proceed with color input so that you can see the possible look of the expected final outcome.
I intend to proceed as soon as I get your response.
Another thing is in my country we are having our general election and their are some tension around so the progress might be slower than expected.
Kind regards,
Absalom
Dear Absalom,
Thank you for your sketches. If I can choose, then I opt for the first drawing. I'm looking forward to seeing the colours.
Regards,
Claudia
Dear Claudia,
your response is noted. I shall proceed to do a digital mock up with colors for your perusal.
Kind regards,
Absalom
Thank you.
Dear Claudia,
Hope you are doing well. I have attached two mock up images for your perusal, please let me know your feeling and possible choice for the final production.
Thank you.
Absalom
Dear Absalom,
Please don't worry about the color blue. I like the second option better. I have a feeling that I might have made you feel unsure or restricted you too much with my request at the very beginning of the order. What would the picture look like when filled with colors, if I hadn't given any suggestion and you had free scope of action?
Kind regards Claudia
Dear Claudia,
Happy to hear from you, thanks for understanding my situation...clearly i felt restricted from your request but I will try to make it interesting as possible. Africa is about color and vibrancy but ill consider your preference yet play some more with color.
I'll now go ahead and implement on the final surface.
Kind regards,
Absalom
Dear Absalom, Thank you for your message. I'm looking forward to the result.
Until then, kind regards,Claudia
Dear Claudia,
Hope you are doing well. I have attached a progress shot of the work I'm doing. I hope to be done by today.
Kind regards,
Absalom
Dear Absalom, thank you. I am curious about the end result. Many greetings, Claudia
Dear Claudia,
Hope you are doing well. I have attached the completed version ready for shipping.
Regards,
Absalom
Dear Claudia,
Kindly have a look at the finished painting attached at the top. I like it myself, and I feel it is ready for shipment to you. I hope that you like it too. If you are satisfied then you may proceed to contact Urban change lab to initiate the shipment process.
Regards,
Absalom
Dear Absalom,
Thank you for your great work. I am very curious about how the image looks in close proximity and how the colours look in reality. However, for me it looks as if the gray-blue background in the lower right quadrant is not properly painted on the pattern. Are there still white spots? But I'm also not sure whether this is because of the reflection on the photo and is not visible in reality. It seems to me that the background colour of the picture (08.09.17) has become darker and grayer. Is this only the effect of the photos? Could you please send another photo?
Many Thanks.
Regards
Claudia
Dear Claudia,
Great to hear from you. The slight change in color could be an incident of lighting. However, with the lower right was intentional to create a painterly/organic look rather than a clean graphical approach on a hand painting. Hence you will notice some tonal variations of the general blue you had suggested. this generally creates a lively interaction of the bright colors. by the way the plain royal blue when used with the variety of colors creates a dull appearance, thats why i had to add some life in the blue by the tonal interplay of an array of light blue, Paynes grey and royal blue hence the appearance of oranges and browns which are indigenous colors tend to flourish.
I could however harmonize that area with the surrounding color hence calm the area. Let me know your response to act accordingly.
Regards,
Absalom
Dear Absalom, thank you very much for your patient explanation. It is really very exciting for me to get to know the view of the painter - your point of view. I am very curious about how the picture looks in the original and look forward to the time when it will be on its way. Thanks again for your great work. Many greetings, Claudia
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON000865E-2982
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
70
|
| Cost of labour |
121.33
|
| Cost of packaging |
28
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
14
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
233.33
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
23.33
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
23.33
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Germany* |
15
|
| VAT (Germany)* |
0
|
| Total |
315.64
|
*Shipping costs and VAT vary depending on your location.