How to create strangeness in painting

the thinking process in painting

Ahoj artlings!

I am currently doing my Master’s degree in Art and Creative Research at the Complutense University of Madrid, in order to develop my Master’s Thesis I have to dig deeply into my artistic practice, and try to answer several questions, I will use my blog to help me organize my thoughts without really answering many questions, but mostly wondering more things.

For the past month, I have been mixing on my painting practice a few concepts: landscape painting alla prima, and adding characters to my pieces. Trying to work out the idea of not belonging and the idea of strangeness. I am still testing things and trying to figure out where I am heading with these, but I am discovering a new enjoyment on my pieces while working.

The other day I was working on reproducing paintings from photos, and I thought this one was quite strange, not because of what represents but what is missing in the representation.

By just replacing an accurate painted eye for a cartoonish looking eye (dots) the face breaks the logical reproduction of the portrait.

Would you think this works then? The other facial parts are also not really accurate, I mean, look at that ear. But yet, it is the eye that catches the attention and breaks the realism in the painting.

Hands and other shapes are recognized despite being loosely and simply developed. Other areas for me mean interest too, but might not give much for the viewer.

I am having fun with these explorations and thinking and processing inside my mind. I believe I got plenty to explore and write about as I go on these practices. I will try to upload as much as I find out in my own website/blog instead of relying on social media (ergo instagram), and hopefully I can slowly build up my research from here. I will be also updating my YouTube channel where I plan on diving more into what I am trying to find out with paint.

I have always thought that painting for me is a way of self-discovery and meditation, it allows me to explore what goes inside my mind when I am completely alone and also as a way of capturing what is going in around me, in society and in the world.

Alas, if you have any thoughts, do let me know in the comments, I will be happy to read them :) You can reach me on Instagram, or check out my Youtube Channel, I post videos on all art related topics.

You can also support my work by acquiring any of my pieces, or inviting me for a coffee :) or buy me some more paints!

Stay curious and bold!

~Kiyary

Woman with laser disc

oil on moleskin paper
21 × 15cm
2026
© Kiyary Domínguez


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Kiyary Do

Kiyary is a mestiza artist with native Peruvian, Spanish and English ancestry, she grew up in the United States and currently lives in the north of Spain. She studied Architectural Design, Sculpture, Graphic Design, 3D Animation, Illustration and Fine Arts. Her art practice is focused on oil painting as the medium, and portraiture and landscape as the main subjects.

Kiyary has a deep passion for learning, painting and moving; her constant changes in environment led her to reflect on the importance of identity and human relationships with nature. You can read more on her about page or check out her instagram for painting updates @kiyary or youtube for tutorials.

https://www.kiyary.com
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Illustrating “Kimimela" Picture Book: From first sketches to finished pages