Ripe Surfing

No doubt everyone has seen the Billabong Pro posters for the 2008 WCT tour events. The man behind the paintings goes by the name Phil Roberts and is one talented artist! Take a behind the scenes look at the process of putting the Teahupoo painting together.

Ripe: Describe the process involved in the putting the Chopes poster artwork together.
Phil: This painting started with the “Pro’s at Teahupoo” piece I did for Surfer Magazine. The idea was a combo with a painting I did for the movie Hollywoodland. That painting was almost the poster till it got canned by one of the stars in the 11th hour before going to press, I wanted to bring that look to surfing. I see one of my artistic rolls now as a kind of Norman Rockwell of Surf in documenting historical moments. I can paint portraits and the ocean, I’m looking forward to see what comes out of that combo of abilities.

How many sketches and drafts did you draw up until you were happy with the composition?
There was the first sketch I really liked that I presented for the whole concept, I treated Teahupoo like a theatre with a water balcony. I thought it captured the ledge of the ocean pushing over the reef. Billabong wanted to show the crowd scene on the shoulder and I came up with sketch #2. Then a little rearranging of surfers, etc.

What we’re the main themes/ideas that you wanted to portray?
I wanted to show how the reef drops off to oblivion and the depth of the channel that everyone floats over. Then the massiveness of the wall of water that pushes over the reef and how it sucks out so hard the water surface dips below sea level in the trough. Of the course the jaggedness of the reef, it’s one of the most dangerous in the world. And the grace & style that Andy maintains in the “pocket of terror”. Last I took some artistic license to bend the horizon a bit to show a second set wave at Billabongs request.

You did an amazing job in creating the glistening effect over the breaking lip - did you use any special techniques or paints?
Several layers of transparent glazed color contrasting with the opaque impasto of spray and sparkles.

What was the most difficult part if the piece to get looking right?
The perspective of human bodies trailing back in the distance. One bad figure can ruin an entire painting. The wave and the reef where the easiest parts for me.

The crowd watching the surfing is a major focal point of the piece. Who are some of the famous faces in there?
Thats Parko in the forground, just behind him is Graham Stapleberg, event director, and Paul Naude in the boat. I should of put more of my girlfriends in there, Dope!!!….. what was I thinking?

Is that CJ taking off on his 15 foot bomb (from a couple of years ago) out the back?
Could be! Or it’s “inspired” by that shot of him ( my attorney replied )

If you want to learn more about Phil or purchase some of his paintings check these links out:
Phil Roberts website
Club Of Waves
Billabong Pro