There is a greater sense of urgency in this work of musician-painter Ismail Mat Hussin as the fishermen sorted out the nets before dusk, while the woman in the centre looks being placed there solely to show off her sarung with variegated patterns which somehow complement the colourful intricate designs on the boats’ prow. Several boats can be seen lolling at the sea edge in the distance. The composition are tighter with more busy ‘activity’ making the work look cramped, while the blue dominants against the ‘uncovered’ bleached sand beach areas are darkened and salt-tinged. Here, the flesh of the figures are treated with Ismail Mat Hussin’s signature musculoskeletal patterns. Self-taught Ismail had kept true to the batik painting tradition since the beginning although he also painted in watercolours. His interest in art was kindled in weekly classes under Nik Mahmood at the Padang Garang Malay School in Kota Baru, Kelantan from 1954-55, but he was really mentored by Khalil Ibrahim He started concentrating on Art in 1968, being a graphic designer cum illustrator for the Syarikat Percetakan Dian in Kota Baru, from 1979-91. He was a member of the Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia as well as the Persatuan Senilukis Kelantan (Peseni). With a Grade V music certificate in violin from the Royal School of Music in London, he worked part-time as a musician at Radio Televisyen Malaysia Kota Baru.