STUDIO JOURNAL

Techniques & Dialogue

Read about Rida's artistic methods, theoretical compositions, and notes from studio studies.

June 2026 Composition & Mediums

The Friction of Mediums: Blending Oils, Acrylics & Collages

Why combining the fluid transparency of acrylics with the rich, thick texture of oil pastels and oil sticks creates the perfect psychological tension on canvas, balancing explosive chaos with rigid, geometric boundaries.

Acrylic paint dries quickly and allows for rapid layering of transparent colors. Oil paint, conversely, remains wet and heavy. By drawing heavy oil stick lines directly over dry, thin acrylic washes, Rida creates a physical boundary that repels the surrounding layers. This physical incompatibility between oil and water elements mirror the internal friction of psychological restraint.

April 2026 Art Theory & Geometry

Geometry as a Restraint: Defining the Canvas Frame

In this study, we explore the origin of the hard-edged geometric border. By drawing boxes and divisions prior to executing expressionist brushwork, the boundary functions as a space of confrontation.

The geometric frame acts as a constraint that forces the chaotic gestural lines to bend, curl, or compress. When a brush stroke collides with the boundary, it must stop or adapt, creating a visual capture of physical restraint.