Rhythms on Canvas: Fusing Drumming Passion with Creative Brilliance

Shake, Brush, Repeat: Khairul’s Drumstick Painting Craze

Picture this: instead of a brush, you grab a drumstick, splash it in paint, and let the rhythm guide your strokes across a fresh canvas. That’s the brilliant twist behind Khairul Anwar Fazlur’s new art therapy.

What’s the Deal With Drumstick Art?

Music Meets Paint – Khairul’s drumsticks double as paintbrushes, blending beats with brushstrokes.
Therapeutic Rhythm – the repetitive motions calm nerves, especially for people with sensory sensitivities.
Pure Spontaneity – no pre‑planned patterns; just dripping color and banging beats, leaving a uniquely stunning canvas.

Meet the Artist

At just 24, Khairul is a self‑taught drummer turned visual-thespian. He wanted to fuse his love for music, visual art, and theater, and what emerged is a joyful chaos—bleeding colors, rhythmic splashes, and a genuinely therapeutic approach for anyone looking to express themselves.

“Messiness Is the New Normal”

When asked why the messy approach feels liberating, he chuckled, “If you’re not splashing around, you’re missing the heart of how art should be.”

How It Helps the Community

Special‑needs children find the rhythmic vibes soothing and engaging.
The community reaps a new, creative outlet—no more dull canvas sessions.
Every art lover gets a fresh, fun way to experiment.

Final Takeaway

Grab a drumstick, dip it in paint, and let the beat guide your hand. Not only will you produce a chaotic masterpiece, you’ll also add a splash of therapy to your day. It’s goofy, it’s gorgeous, and honestly—totally worth it!

Tell us about your journey in both disciplines. How did drumming as well as painting come into your life? Can you remember which came first?

From Dino‑Dreams to Big Canvas Adventures

Ever since I was a tiny tot—just two or three years old—painting was my jam. My mum, Su’ad Binte Ahmad, had an artistic spark that lit up the whole house, giving me the freedom to splash colors on every scrap of paper that came my way.

Digging Into the Dinosaur World

I was a dinosaur junkie, and my imagination ran wild. By age six, I’d already pulled together a mini‑encyclopedia of 38 dinosaurs. It was a scrapbook where each beast got its own name, colors, and a little sketch. Picture a fridge magnet army of Jurassic giants—minus the fridge.

Breaking the Canvas Habit

Turns out, life doesn’t always keep you on track. Around age seven, I swapped brushes for pencils and focused on drawing. It wasn’t until 2016, when I rolled up to Saint Joseph’s Institution International (SJII), that I felt the pull back toward paint.

Higher Level Visual Arts & the “Push”

I was knee‑deep in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, tackling Higher Level Visual Arts. My teachers, Samantha Higgins and James Ingram, decided I was due for some serious painting. They nudged me, like the farm‑house goats had to go to a new pasture: “Paint big!” They urged. So I started my first canvas at a whopping 150 cm by 95 cm—which, truth be told, feels like wall‑on‑wall.

Honestly, I was scared of mixing mediums—fearing paint would “see through the paper and ruin it” or that I’d be “unable to control the strokes”. But I didn’t let those fears win. I let the paint flow, let the colors mingle, and I discovered an unexpected love for the endless possibilities that come with an oversized canvas.

Gratitude for the Big Push

Thank you, Samantha—your wisdom kept the paint inside the lines of the probable.
Thank you, James—your confidence made my work feel bigger than life.
And thanks to all the teeny‑tiny dinosaur drawings: they taught me that scale matters.

Fast forward: I’m back to painting, splashing, and making the world a brighter, bolder place—one huge canvas at a time.

What inspired you to combine both art forms, and how did you come up with Playnting?

What Is Playnting, Anyway?

Think of it as a hybrid of a drum solo and a painting session—where each drumbeat brings a splash of color to your canvas. It’s a bit like turning your favorite jam into a visual symphony.

Three Artists Who Hooked Me

Ushio Shinohara – The man who wears boxing gloves to deliver paint strokes.
Jackson Pollock – The dude who literally dripped his life onto canvases.
Claude Monet – The painter obsessed with catching the exact light of the moment.

Ushio Shinohara: The Boxing‑Glove Badass

Back in 2016, I stumbled onto Shinohara’s gallery page. Picture a boxer in a paint studio, gloves clacking against canvas. Each smack was a deliberate brushstroke, a way of visualising his own energy and emotions. I realized: why not use drumsticks as my paintbrushes? They’re literally the tools that let you “strike” the canvas in rhythm.

Jackson Pollock: The Floor‑Paint Philosopher

Pollock took his canvases to the floor and turned painting into a choreographed dance. He’d move around, flick paint, and the swirls were born from motion. Playnting follows that same mad‑cap approach—moving, tossing, and brushing from all angles so the art emerges in the making rather than after.

Claude Monet: Light, Reality, and the Subconscious

Monet wanted to capture the fleeting glow of a sun or moonlit scene—his works were all about the subjective feel of light, not a textbook reality check. Playnting does the same but dives into the subconscious mind; every stroke reflects a stray thought that pops up while you’re jamming.

Putting It All Together

Combining these influences, Playnting is a personal, sensual act of drumming to a song and letting that rhythm paint itself. You’re not just creating a finished piece; you’re reliving the thought process—like a live, mind‑music workout for both you and anyone who watches.

How was the experience showcasing your art style on stage as well as overseas in Berlin?

Dad, My Secret Super‑Supporter

Honestly, that whole Berlin adventure wouldn’t have happened if not for my dad, Fazlur Rahman bin Kamsani. During a business conference he met the event organizer, tossed my work across the table, and boom—he was hooked. From that moment, the rest of the story unfolded like a movie plot twist.

Instantly Awesome, Yet Heavily Nervous

Picture this: just ten months after I invented Playnting, I’m gearing up to groove with a crowd of a few hundred people. Every musician’s gut inside me whispered, “Yeah, do it.” Still, that jittery pre‑show jitters were real.

“Zen Mode” Takes Over

Once the first notes crashed in, I slipped into what I call “Zen mode.”
I sync my inner vibes with the music’s pulse—like a cosmic Bluetooth connection.
And suddenly the stage feels like one big mind‑body-universe dancefloor.

At that point, the audience fades to background noise. I see only the canvas, the paint, and my trusty drumsticks. It’s a bit like stepping inside a painted universe—no doubt, no fear, just pure creative free‑fall.

Master of the Canvas Cosmos

I’m not just playing; I’m the author, director, and sole commander of everything that unfolds on that tiny world. Imagine God‑like authority but confined to a canvas space—truly mind‑blowing.

After the Finale: Reality Returns

When the last chord hit the air, reality snapped back. A thunderous standing ovation blasted my ego into orbit. The rush? Nothing short of indescribable, like tasting the sweetest candy after a long day of hard work.

What are some of the artworks created by Playnting that you’re proudest of?

Meet My Marvel Masterpieces

Recently I painted four pieces that I’m genuinely proud of. I’ve taken a fun, inventive spin on classic comic heroes, blending real-life objects and comic panels with bold brushwork. Here’s a quick tour of each.

1. Civil War – Iron Man vs. Captain America

Diptych Duo: Two canvases that lock together to form a single, dramatic statement.
Dimensions: 183 cm by 122 cm – the biggest paintings I’ve ever tackled.
Materials: I scavenged old laptops, monitors, and other electronic junk to forge Iron Man’s iconic suit. Think recycled tech meets comic hero.
Feel: A magnetic clash of glamour and grit – one side glows with chrome, the other commands patriotic resolve.

2. Wolverine – Raw, Ripped, Relentless

Medium: Playnting gave Wolverine that frantic, dynamic edge before I enriched it with conventional oils.
Structure: The canvas is cut into sections that mirror the iconic covers of Wolverine’s early comic runs.
Chronology: Arranged clockwise from the top-left, the panels trace him from his debut through his most ferocious moments.
Effect: A tactile, visceral feel that almost makes you feel the thrum of his claws.

3. Logan – A Savage, Layered Legend

Authentic Marvel strips and panels are embedded into the painting for authentic texture and depth – literally.
Playnting was again used to render the textured rush of blood and chaos sprayed across the canvas.
Result: The piece breathes with the raw, kinetic energy of Wolverine’s runtime, offering a step‑forward from the Wolverine design.

What Makes These Works Stand Out?

Combining real objects with painted imagery creates a multi‑dimensional experience that’s impossible to replicate with digital graphics.
Every element is intentionally placed to align with comic sequels, offering an immersive narrative.
Your eye’s journey is guided by the placement of panels, coloring, and the use of reclaimed electronics.

Whether it’s the grandeur of a two‑panel diptych or the punchy violence of Wolverine’s saga turned to canvas, each piece feels like a comic book exploded into the real world.

We understand that you conduct Playnting lessons as well. What can participants expect?

Unleash Your Inner Beat With Playnting Workshops

Ready to turn your bedroom into a spontaneous studio and let the rhythm guide your brushstrokes? Playnting brings you two unforgettable classes that blend music, paint, and a pinch of chaos.

1⃣ The Art Jam: 60 Minutes of Musical Mess

Grab your favorite Spotify playlist—yes, you’re the DJ!
Plug in a drumstick and start painting to your own soundtrack.
There’s no hand‑held instruction, just pure exploration and a wild, creative spirit.
Take home your custom drumsticks, a stack of paper experiments, and a stunning canvas.
Of course, you’ll get photo and video brag‑rights from the session.

Perfect for couples, families, friends, or even office teams looking to bond over a canvas. Playnting lets you feel the music and visualize emotions with every swipe.

2⃣ The Playnting Masterclass: Theory Meets Practice

If you crave depth, this is where you’ll learn:

Color theory that makes palettes sing.
Basic drum beats that sync perfectly with brush strokes.
How to channel musical energy into art.
Mindful techniques that tap into your subconscious.

In a fun, unhinged environment, you’ll unpack artistic, spiritual, and scientific concepts—then unleash them on canvas.

Why Playnting?

Therapeutic treats that melt stress.
Sharper creativity and fresh ideas.
Unleash chaos, laugh, and create unforgettable memories.

Join us for a whirlwind of inspiration—where your DIY drumsticks meet your personal soundtrack, and the result? An awesome, chaotic, and mad fun masterpiece.

What do you hope to achieve from your artistic journey and how do you think Playnting can grow and contribute to the arts community going forward?

Playnting – A Fun‑Friendly Art Revolution

Picture this: you’re painting, but no one is staring at the canvas with that solemn, “I’ll never finish this” expression. Instead you’re surrounded by creative pals, laughter bubbling, and your brush strokes forming a living mosaic of shared vibes. That’s what Playnting is all about.

The Mission

The artist behind this movement isn’t just looking to create a brand; they want to build a global playground where everyone can explore their wildest paint dreams. It’s a holistic, multi-sensory jam that proves:

Every person is a jack‑of‑all‑crafts (yes, you too!).
Creative expression is a potent ally for mental wellbeing.
Painting is a communal, party‑ish, feel‑good experience.

Think of “Playnting” as a community art café that refuses to let anyone sit in their own bubble. The more people show up, the bigger the splash of colour and the louder the collective joy.

Class Options

The artist’s offerings come in two flavours, both designed to keep your creative juices flowing:

Art Jam

$60 net per session per person
45‑minute bucket of painting fun
Two or more people to start the jam

Masterclass

$120 net per session per person
Three consecutive sessions to dive deep (90 minutes each)
No minimum crowd—come solo or bring friends

Both are tailored for folks of all ages and backgrounds, from kids to grandparents, from the artsy to the “I’ve never held a brush before.”

Why It Matters

Traditionally, painting is a silent, solitary act; you’re tucked away looking at your own little world. Playnting flips that script. It breaks the bubble, invites conversation, and turns every session into a vibrant party. The outcome? People leave with more than pretty eyes on a canvas—they leave with a lighter heart, a higher mood, and a sense of belonging.

Going Global

The ultimate goal? To put Singapore on the art world’s radar and become a legend in the same league as Van Gogh, Monet, & Pollock. All it takes is one splash of curiosity, a big smile, and a handful of friends.

Ready to Dive In?

For more details on how to join a Playnting class, simply search our website or contact the studio. There’s no need for a fancy link—just give us a call or drop an e‑mail, and we’ll hand you the brush.