Over the past few days, I’ve spent a lot of my offline time painting. At first, I was simply imitating photos I had taken before. Then, one day, I had the sudden urge to turn it into a movie/TV show project, painting beautiful, inspiring, or emotionally impactful scenes from my favorite films and series. And so, the list began:
- A University Memory – The first painting was based on a photo I took at a university. It holds one of my most precious memories.
- By the Sea – Another was from a random photo I took by the sea last year. The details on the boat weren’t very realistic, which reminded me how much room I had for improvement.
- Better Call Saul – One day, I noticed the shadow of a window cast on a wall, and it immediately reminded me of Better Call Saul. That scene in the show was so striking and unforgettable. I believe we all have such moments in life—ones that leave an imprint on us in ways we don’t fully understand.
- Manchester by the Sea – This one was from one of the best movies I’ve ever seen, Manchester by the Sea. It was heartbreakingly sad, but in a way that felt raw and truthful—like an honest portrayal of life’s pain.
- Batman Begins – Since I’ve been reading The Nolan Variations, I had to paint a scene from Batman Begins. It took me forever to paint the building (even though I wasn’t particularly interested in it), but afterward, I started noticing architectural edges and how to render them in 3D whenever I stepped outside.
- Memento – That day, I rewatched Memento, and it left me thinking. To some extent, aren’t we all living through our memories—memories that may not even be true? They can be reshaped, revised, and altered to fit what we want to believe. That thought was unsettling. But then again, truly living in the moment is incredibly hard.
- In the Mood for Love – This is my favorite movie of all time. It was reissued on Valentine’s Day, and I had to revisit it. Subtle, introverted, indirect, yet deeply romantic—it’s a film I’ve watched nearly ten times, and each time, I discover something new to relate to. Maybe that’s what makes a movie a true classic.
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – A simple yet inspiring movie. This was the moment I finally mustered the courage to paint people. At first, it was incredibly difficult, but with practice, it became easier and more comfortable.
- The Wall – A tribute to The Wall—both the movie and the album. It’s the most powerful record I’ve ever listened to, and even today, its themes remain strikingly relevant.
- Succession – The last one was the saddest scene (in my opinion) from Succession. If you’ve ever been in that kind of moment, you’d instantly recognize that crushing sense of devastation. The show left a profound impact on me, making me reevaluate a lot of things in my own life.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I didn’t really push myself to learn new techniques or read art books—I stayed within my comfort zone, which is something I need to be careful about. I also noticed that after three or four hours of painting, I often lacked the patience to step back, review, and refine my work. That’s something I must change—a reminder to break out of stagnation as soon as possible.
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