Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Implementing a specific painting technique onto my illustrations

When I create paintings either on paper or on canvas, I use pencil first then proceed to the painting. This time I've used drawing pens instead and then proceed to the painting.

I like to draw by using drawing pens on my art journal and come up with themed artworks which looks great but it's all in black and white. So I've decided to add colour on my illustrations and I've used acrylic paint to create the artwork.

The technique I've used with the acrylic paint here is also used on one of my landscape paintings and I've decided to try it out and see how it will look like. At the end it worked well and I'm happy with the outcome.

More to come.
MZ Artwork
Mena Zarif

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

My Art Facebook Profile and Page

You can add my art facebook profile, by clicking here . Any artists out there, you can either follow or add me on my art profile and/or like my MZ Artwork page

MZ Artwork
Mena Zarif


Friday, July 3, 2015

Multicultural Candles

'Coloured Candles' I see it as the work of multiculturalism in Australia and in the world. The colours of candles represents all backgrounds, races, religions, cultures and nationalities in the world. It also represents our talents and gifts we have and what can we offer to the world and the people around us. The candle colour never changes from start to finish and this represents we need to be true to ourselves, being strong, don't copy others and don't try to become someone else. Everyone is unique. Everyone has something meaningful, unique to say and different ways of how they can express their views. The size and height of the candles represents the physicality of our bodies and the work of it according to the talents and gifts we have. Melting of the candles represents the sacrifices and love for each other to continue to light each other up and to be the best we can be and it represents humility.  It also represents what we have left behind so others can follow and learn the values, actions, messages, morals and virtues that we learnt, gained and done. We leave behind our legacy for the next generation to come. The burning of the wax it also represents overcoming our weakness and bad habits in life.


All candles have one thing in common which are the candle light shines that has the same colour, warmth, shape and movement and the wax element. The wax element represents we are all equal by this means no one is higher than other, we are all different but no one is perfect, we all humans, we make mistakes and we communicate with each other that touches our hearts and minds. The candle light represents hope, love and faith. As there are lots of candles shining in the room or any other place, the environment becomes warm, peaceful, quite, meaningful, inspiring, contemplative and care for each other. This also represents we are all in one. The base of the candle which holds it represents we are created for a purpose and we have a limited time to live and this reminds us that we need to make most of what we have and invest in our talents and gifts which given to us so we can offer the world and the people in it the best in us. 

We don't live forever in this world but there is one thing that keeps us alive which is the Eternity in our hearts and that what gives us a purpose, meaning and life. Living the journey of that purpose is better because you are discovering it rather than knowing your purpose in life. Eternity lasts forever. This is why we are created for a purpose. Do what you love and you'll find open doors in front of you. Be thankful for what you have rather than what you don't have however there are situations comes at the right time and be thankful for that also.

The light blue colour background represents we are all under the light blue sky and this reminds us we are all in one. The 3 most important things in life are faith, hope and love but the greatest of all is love. So keep your candles working. This is one of my contemplations of why Coloured Candles are so important.

MZ Artwork
Mena Zarif

Friday, March 27, 2015

Group Exhibition painting 2015; World Issue: Losing hope.

World Issue: Losing Hope


On Sunday the 22nd of March I attended a charity event and this is my artwork to promote an issue in the world and how we can fight it. The description below is about why I chose two candles and a black background and what it represents.

The candle on the left is losing hope and the candle on the right is giving hope. By this the candle on the left shines and lives on. This represents two important things in life, firstly, it illustrates the true life giving light which is the renewal of the mind, heart, body and soul, secondly, it's selfless, it always seeks to help others to reach their full potential in life and gives it purpose, meaning, life lessons, values and morals to live by. 

Together we can bring light to the world. The black background represents the person is in despair, darkness and no where to go but to lose hope. When the right candle gives hope, it believed in it so the left candle can shine. It found something good and don't want it to die. Everyone doesn't deserve to lose hope but deserve to live.

MZ Artwork
Mena Zarif

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Tree Painting

My tree painting journey was meaningful and inspiring. From the beginning I had a vision of how it will look like. What is interesting about this painting it's not from a photo but I researched few trees paintings and photos to guide me a long the way but the rest is my work. 

Having a vision of where the painting will be heading is very important. Turning from idea into reality is a long progress. Painting the grass and other parts too is not only a mixture of 2 or 3 colours, but a mixture of more than 7 colours. Every part of this painting is a mixture of more than 2-5 or more colours. 

The most challenging part is mixing colours to blend in with other colours and keeping it consistent along the way.  

Overall I am happy with the outcome of my painting.

MZ Artwork
Mena Zarif 

Friday, October 31, 2014

What is happening with MZ Artwork lately?


It has been a long time I haven't posted anything. I am currently painting an abstract spring tree artwork using acrylic paint. Through out this year I have been using drawing pens to improve my illustrations in my small visual diary. I am inspired by lettering designs using drawing pens. Also I use ink and brush as well. 

So while I was on the train travelling, I was looking at lots of types of graffiti lettings and drawings. The city that I live in there are lots of graffiti everywhere and there are some really good ones and some just a quick ones. Some of them are the styles I am inspired to. In the next couple of weeks, I'll be undertaking heaps of paintings such as landscapes, sports people, seascapes etc. 

I am also involved in Scouting and there were lots of events happened and I was able to take really good photos. One of the photos I took was tomatoes and parsley. So you can have a look in my MZ Artwork page on Facebook. Click here to see the photo .

So stay tuned.

Mena Zarif
MZ Artwork


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Where did my artistic creativity began?




I always liked drawing since when I was very young age until this day. I was inspired to draw cars & other sources of art using pen, colour pencils, greyleds and greyons when I was young.

In 2009, I decided to take my artistic side more seriously. One of my favourite quotes that I stuck by was: "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Design is knowing which ones to keep"- Scott Adams

My inspirations comes from:

1- Sports he plays
2- Sports he likes to watch.
3- Movies (Comedy, thriller and action).
4- Foods and drinks.
5- Favourite colours
6- Inspirational quotes and sayings.
7- Music

And much more.


Thursday, April 26, 2012

MZ Artwork is on redbubble

MZ Artwork is now on Redbubble. Check it out and there are awsome products to buy too such as cards etc.

I am currently working on few projects and soon I will redesign my MZ Artwork blogspot layout. So stay tuned.

MZ Artwork
Mena Zarif

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Boat on the beach


Here is another landscape painting. I started this painting about 2-3 months ago. The most challenging part of this painting was the sky, sun and sea reflections. Other than it was straight forward. The sea part of this painting was the most trickiest part to paint because it contains consistency, blending and the effects of the waves. I started with basic colours then I build the colours up to realistic style.

Overall I am happy with the end result of the painting.

MZ Artwork
Mena Zarif

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Photography Goals of 2011




My photography goals are to improve photo techniques and find my own style of photography. When I took some photos in the past, some of them came out really good. I hope my photography skills will improve.


MZ Artwork
Mena Zarif

Friday, March 18, 2011

Latest Update regarding my works. Update: 19/03/2011

Since Second Year Diploma of Graphic Design started, I had been busy with projects. Hopefully within the next two to three weeks I will have finished off all unfinished projects I have to complete and submit them.

Wish me good luck to complete all projects within high standards.

MZ Artwork.
Mena Zarif

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Art Quotes No: 3

 "Every visual artists starts as an amateur. Though experimenting with media and though trials & errors, the artist finds their own type of techniques & strategies towards their own style of art and the artist push themselves to achieve better results. The outcome is incredible."- Mena Zarif

Art Quotes No: 2

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Design is knowing which ones to keep"- Scott Adams

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Art Quotes No: 1

" If you feel you want to paint.. keep practicing don't stop. Every art counts because it's a progression of your work throughout the times of painting and it shows you how much you have improved." - Mena Zarif

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Landscape painting


Exhibition painting 2010.


Last year I was at my painting class and were preparing a painting something to do with Australia. Every artists in my painting class had to choose a theme to do with Australia. So I chose Landscape painting theme related to Australia. 

This painting I did was one the difficult paintings I ever did. I had to choose and mix colours that suit the photo I was observing from. Out of all the paintings I've done in the past, this was a difficult & challenging painting to do. It was my first landscape painting from a photo too.








<--- On the left this was the first landscape painting done 2 years ago, that was not from a photo. 







MZ Artwork
Mena Zarif


Eagle Painting finished.

Eagle Painting finished

Finally my eagle painting is finished. It was one of the challenging painting I ever did. I'm sure I will come across much more challenging paintings I will do in the future. The most challenging part of the eagle painting was the feathers. It took me 2-3 days to fix it up. I had to repaint the feathers and start all over it again. It looked more greenish than the photo.

The eye of the eagle wasn't that difficult but needs work to adjust it to look a like to the photo I was observing at. But finally I finished the painting. I used Acrylic paint to do eagle painting 

MZ Artwork
Mena Zarif

Monday, January 10, 2011

Thinking to get into art? It's never to late to start.

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.  Art is knowing which ones to keep."  ~Scott Adams


This is one of my favourite quotes that I apply to my  visual artworks. Creativity kicks in anytime, that why we make mistakes and trials too. Art finds the techniques and styles you find and must keep. 


Every artists' either you are a student or full time or as a hobby visual artist, every artist have their own styles to apply to their work. Experimenting is a great way to find your own style and techniques. So if you wish you start drawing or painting, I recommend you to start drawing with HB or 2B pencils on your Visual Diary and start practicing. 


Then if your confident with your pencil drawings, then start with Acrylic paint. For starters, I brought 5 colours pack of Acrylic beginner paint Kit from a local art& crafts shop. For me, I started with Acrylic paint. At the momment I'm working with acrylics. But working trials with watercolour paint. But everyone is different for choosing their own media. 


Or you can draw and paint straight away if you wish. Experimenting with drawing & painting techniques and styles, you will find your own styles & techniques. It will take a while or a short time to find your styles & techniques. Every one is individual and have their own pace of learning. But keep drawing & painting. Every artwork counts!


As I said late last year, ‎"Every visual artists starts as an amateur. Though experimenting with media and though trials & errors, the artist finds their own type of techniques & strategies towards their own style of art and the artist push themselves to achieve better results. The outcome is incredible."- Mena Zarif


Good Luck 


MZ Artwork
Mena Zarif



Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Painting in Progress update: 6/01/2011

Painting in Progress… 6/01/2011
Currently I’m working on 3 different paintings. All 3 paintings are in progress stages. The 3 paintings I’m working on are 2 Icons and 1 animal.
The 2 icons I’m working on at the momment are St Bishoy & Jesus.
The animal I’m also working on is a face of the lion.
My eagle painting is finished. I will post it up on my deviant website either today or tomorrow.
MZ Artwork.
Mena Zarif