The Man from Ireland Creates Stunning Optical Illusions on Sand.
Manuel Frolich, hailing from Ireland, enjoys the beach, but instead of swimming or sunbathing, he creates magnificent works of art on the sand.
Sand art.
The young man began his interest in creating sand art in the late 2000s after finding a piece of silk on the beach and starting to draw on the sand.
Since then, Manuel Frolich has loved going to the beach to create art on the expansive sands. He has developed a habit of drawing on the sand whenever he visits the beach.
In 2014, Manuel Frolich created his first large sand painting, measuring about 164 feet in diameter.
“It is fascinating to see a design on paper come to life on the sand,” says Manuel Frolich.
After completing his first piece, he climbed to the top of a cliff to take photos, inspiring himself to continue creating art.
Manuel Frolich explains, “I start by sketching my design ideas at my desk with a ruler and compass. After finishing the drawing on paper, I plan my trip to the beach, calculating the time needed to paint. This is crucial due to the tide’s influence; I must finish the painting before the tide comes in.”
He sketches his works in advance to visualize and plan how to express each drawing on the sand. Each sketch takes Manuel Frolich about 3 to 4 hours to complete.
“It is fascinating to see a design on paper come to life on the sand. I usually mark and shade the completed parts with a marker to know what to do next while painting on the beach,” Manuel Frolich says.
Manuel Frolich uses dark sand to create his painting.
After sketching, Manuel Frolich spends about 4 to 6 hours to complete his beautiful sand artwork. He typically uses four tools: a measuring stick, bamboo sticks, string, and a set of rakes. Some believe that Manuel Frolich uses dark sand to create his paintings, but he shares that it is all natural sand.
To achieve the desired colors, Manuel Frolich must carefully rake the sand. In some paintings, he takes advantage of the tide coming in to help achieve the right effect.
“After finishing the painting, I immediately launch my drone to take pictures of the entire piece. That is the happiest moment of my day,” Manuel Frolich says.
After finishing the painting, Manuel Frolich finds a good spot to view his work.
Sometimes, after finishing a painting, he quickly runs to find a good position to capture his beautiful artwork before it gets washed away by the waves. People often ask Manuel Frolich if he is upset when his stunning works disappear in an instant, and he confirms that he is not.
“Each completed step has its own joy. The next important moment is witnessing the tide receding and slowly erasing the drawing. It is a gentle moment; I am grateful to nature for providing me with the vast space to create,” Manuel Frolich says.
