Behind the Brush: Jacob Mazurek’s Creative Process
Updated: Mar 8
Art is not just about the final piece; it’s about the journey that leads to its creation. Jacob Mazurek, a talented artist known for his unique style and captivating works, embodies this philosophy. His creative process is a blend of inspiration, technique, and endless patience. In this blog post, we will explore the various stages of Jacob's artistic journey, providing insights into how he transforms ideas into stunning visual narratives.
The Spark of Inspiration
Every artist has a source of inspiration that fuels their creativity. For Jacob, inspiration usually comes from the places that he sees in his travels. Whenever he goes somewhere new, he takes countless photographs, paying close attention to composition, and then selects those that he most wishes to recreate.
Putting the Image onto Canvas
After Jacob selects his image, the subsequent step is to reproduce it on a canvas. This stage entails utilizing electronic tools to develop the most striking color scheme, followed by both electronic and manual tools and techniques to scale the image onto the canvas.
Electronic Preparation
Jacob begins by cropping his image to match the proportions of his canvas using image editing software on his electronic device. He then adjusts the color balance of the image with the same software. He frequently modifies nearly every setting, including exposure, brilliance, highlights, black point, and saturation, to achieve a visually compelling appearance. Finally, he pastes the image into a Microsoft Word document and adjusts the image size to his exact specifications. For instance, for an 18-inch by 24-inch canvas, he scales the image to 6 inches by 8 inches, maintaining a 3:1 ratio. Finally, he prints the Word document, thus ending the electronic phase.
The Drawing Process
Like most artists who draw to scale, Jacob's process begins with grids. However, his approach differs in that he uses these grids as reference lines for precise measurements with a scaling ruler. He measures the horizontal and vertical distances to points of interest on his reference photo and then uses the scaling ruler to accurately replicate those distances onto the canvas. He acquired this technique while plotting ships' positions on nautical charts in the Navy. Once he establishes enough points, the process becomes akin to a connect-the-dots exercise, achieving precision within 1/40th of an inch, which is the maximum accuracy attainable with a scaling ruler.
Jacob frequently employs the classic technique of "single-point perspective," which involves parallel lines converging at a single point in the distance. This method helps him maintain harmony in his images by offering a guiding structure, especially when the original composition lacks clarity. Additionally, he sometimes utilizes the three-point perspective for scenes viewed significantly above or below eye level. In these instances, the vertical lines of tall structures also converge towards a point, often located off the canvas. This approach provides structure when depicting the world from unconventional angles.
The Painting Process
With a solid drawing
in place, Jacob moves on to the actual painting of the artwork. This phase is where his technical skills comes to life.
The Medium - Acrylics
Jacob is absolutely passionate about working with acrylics. His initial choice of medium was purely random, but over the past 25 years, his entire technique has blossomed around acrylics. This medium is perfect for him, especially when he's creating art in coffee shops. Its water-soluble nature lets him use coffee to clean his brushes, enhance the flow of his material, create washes, and even tidy up any stray brush strokes from furniture. The quick-drying feature of acrylics is fantastic, enabling him to work with the canvas laid flat on the table, with his hand and materials right there on the canvas. Acrylics empower him to create art in places where easels and strong-smelling mineral spirits aren't welcome, and he can conveniently fit everything he needs into a backpack.
First Pass Painting
Jacob initiates his compositions by sketching them first, which results in minimal use of layering. Instead, he typically completes entire color fields in one go, pre-mixing various tones of the same hue ranging from very light to very dark. This approach enables him to effectively create visual texture, shadows, and highlights in his subjects. Utilizing very fine brushes, no thicker than a mechanical pencil lead, he meticulously paints the associated details as he progresses. This technique allows for smooth transitions and minimizes the uneven lines often caused by dry-brushing. Additionally, it helps viewers anticipate the final quality of the ongoing work.
Art enthusiasts frequently remark on the tactile texture of the acrylic paint in his work. This texture arises from the fast-drying properties of the material, which thickens during the painting process. As he completes entire color fields in one session, the paint often becomes thicker in the later stages, resulting in a pleasing texture that imparts a "painterly" quality to his paintings.
He usually works from right to left to keep those pencil marks pristine and smudge-free. But guess what? Even if pencil debris sneaks onto completed sections, he can simply clean them up with coffee!
Personal Touches and Easter Eggs
Jacob, while working from photographs, often applies his own judgment to streamline the process or enhance the clarity of the structures depicted. During his painting process, he frequently consults additional, closer images of the same feature to capture details not visible in his initial reference photo. This approach often results in paintings that are more detailed than a photograph. He also takes pleasure in incorporating Easter Eggs—subtle personal details significant only to him. In his painting "The Hustle of the Unknown Artist," he included an Easter Egg by altering part of the graffiti to read, in Bulgarian, "Buy this painting, please" (Купете тази картина, моля).
Sharing the Art
Once a piece is complete, Jacob is eager to share it with the world. He believes that art is meant to be experienced and appreciated by others.
Exhibitions and Galleries
Jacob actively participates in exhibitions and showcases his work in galleries when available. These events provide an opportunity to connect with art enthusiasts and fellow creators. He enjoys engaging in conversations about his work, sharing the stories behind each piece, and receiving feedback from viewers.
Online Presence
In today’s digital age, having an online presence is crucial for artists. Jacob maintains a website and social media accounts where he shares his artwork, creative process, and upcoming events. This platform allows him to reach a broader audience and connect with art lovers from around the globe.
Prints to Order
After completing each work, Jacob has it professionally scanned or photographed, then uploads the images to Saatchi Art. There, visitors can buy open series prints, customized to their desired size and materials. Simple frames can be added for an additional fee. That shop is at URL https://www.saatchiart.com/artistjacob
To purchase signed, limited edition prints, please contact Jacob directly.
Originals and Commissions
To buy originals or to commission an art piece, contact the artist directly.
Conclusion
Jacob Mazurek’s creative process is a testament to the power of patience, vision, and tradecraft. By embracing the journey of creation, he transforms the scenes that fascinate him into captivating works of art that resonate with viewers. Whether the people that he meets or the places that he sees in his journeys, Jacob’s art tells a story that invites others to see the world through his eyes.
As you explore your own creative journey, remember that every step— from inspiration to reflection— is an integral part of the process. Embrace your unique path, and let your creativity flourish.
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