Ismail Mat Hussin, although self-taught, was adept with the human anatomy — the postures, gestures, action and the cultural pastimes and occupations of the ordinary people, especially in his home State in Kelantan. Top-spinning contests are still popular in Kelantan with the contestants using oversized tops that can weigh up to 5kg! The tops are made of wood or hard fruit, iron and lead. Although the younger generation does not have the patience to master the skills of top-spinning, the Kelantan Gasing Uri Association has been trying hard to preserve this tradition even beyond Malaysian shores. Ismail Mat Hussin was adept with watercolours which he learnt from school teacher Nik Mahmood from 1954 to 1955 and later Khalil Ibrahim although he is better known for his batiks. He was also a musician, with a Grade V music certificate in violin from the Royal School of Music (London) and worked part time as a musician at Radio Televisyen Malaysia Kota Bharu. He became a graphic designer cum illustrator for Syarikat Percetakan Dian in Kota Bharu, from 1979 to 1991. He was a member of the Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia as well as the Persatuan Senilukis Kelantan (Peseni).