Two years full!

Two years of active painting and blogging.
Throughout this year, I have discovered more uses of using the blog and learning through it.
Through this post, I want to thanks all those who gave me immense encouragement to believe in my work and take it to the next level. There have been periods of artistic inactivity mainly due to change in family role and work bindings, but overall it was a very good year in terms of Art. I have spent many busy evenings reading email feedback and art forwards from my blog visitors.
Its a good feeling to know this blog has engaged and interested people to keep coming back to view more!
Wishing all a happy new year 2011 and myself, another great year of serious art.

"Love" - Oil pastels on A3 paper

Lovers forever!  

Tears for Fears- Water Colour Pencils

Before they become a thing of the past (at least in my kitchen) due to their soaring prices, I thought of capturing them in a sketch for posterity! This is a 'tongue in cheek" sketch of onions in artistic response to the current unaffordable prices of onions in India.

Slow flow.. Watercolour

A Watercolour again after a long time. This is done out of imagination, on hand made paper.     

Guns and Roses- Oil on Canvas Board, 35 x 45 cms

Indian Marriage- A rosy picture for some women , filled with peace and sunshine...but a life of bleeding agony and chains for others.
This being a" thinking" painting, took a lot of time and toil. It had to be planned, to be able to divide the expressions into sad and happy. Well, this is what I have at the end of it.

River- Oil on Canvas Board 20 x 25 cms

This is a reproduction of a river scene I passed last weekend on my way out of the city.Its done with the wet on wet technique again, for quick finishing. I think this is the only technique which allows you to finish an oil painting at a go, albeit minus a few effects.This is the tiniest scenery I have done.

Stacked-Oil on Stretched canvas

This is for my friend , who wanted a painting of  flowers. I did this out of imagination. Am still not sure whether am done with this painting or I should add some little flowers here and there for final touch. Nonethe less, I decided to upload it as I hadn't uploaded a 'proper' painting in a while.

Over the months , my painting technique has changed . I am not using the word evolved as am not sure. I have been hugely inspired by Painter Karin Jurick and her style of using thick paint has crept into my strokes.I am nowhere near Karin and don't know whether this style has done me good or bad. I am planning on trying my old style of layer by layer painting (more time consuming) in the next fresh painting that I do.( I already am halfway through another painting). Maybe that will bring about a good comparison .

Colour Concepts

Some Notes:

A synonym for colour is hue.

Colours may be made lighter or darker by adding white or black respectively.

A lighter version of a particular colour is called a tint ( as in Pink from red).
A darker version is called a shade.

Tone means the dull or brighter variants of  a colour by combining grey.

Primary colours: Red, Green, Blue
Secondary colours are derived by mixing primary colours.orange, green purple
Tertiary: Mixing primary and secondary

Ref:http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/artist-paints/colour-theory-painting.htm

Colour Wheel Chart:


Photo ref:http://www.art-for-your-walls.com/color-wheel-chart.html


Complementary Colours: are opposite to each other on the color wheel. An example of complementary colors is red and green.


Value: Degree of lightness or darkness of a colour.


Warm Vs Cool Colours:


Almost all people find some colors 'warm' and other colors 'cool'. Generally, the 'warm' ones are seen as related to the yellow/orange side of the color wheel chart, and the 'cool' ones to the blue/green side (this is independent of how many primary colors you're rooting for).

Painting Inception

  
"I dream a lot. I do more painting when I'm not painting. It's in the subconscious."   
- Diego Rivera 


I liked this quote very much. There is so much thought that goes into a piece of art.Even when one is not drawing, one is still dreaming and planning of what to bring onto the canvas!

Iced Lemon Tea

Love often starts in a bright cafe.Two hearts meet over a cup of coffee or Iced lemon tea.

This is a cartoon sketch I had made two months back with water colour pencils.

Get back to where you once belonged

I drew this today  with a simple gel pen just to ensure that i "get back to where I once belonged' as in get back to art and drawing in general. Once again, I have gotten back to art to seek refuge from other things in life.I know this drawing isn't great but it has made me feel alive.The past two months and family / work bindngs   have made me ponder:

1) Are art and family life mutually exclusive?'
2) Is art more for loners ?
3) Is art a solace for people who want to seek refuge in something?
4)or is art just an expression of one's inner feelings?

With these ponderings, I hope to get back into full form and start an oil tomorrow evening.

  

Over the top-Oil on Board, 35 x 45 cms

A landscape after a long time. This is done from imagination, with wet-on-wet technique.After observing other artists' works and reading through material, I have understood that wet-on wet is a good technique , provided you know how to manouevre it and bring it to a satisfactory finish. This image is a combination of imprints in my mind about similar sights I saw in Shillong, Meghalaya.

Hibiscus- OIl on Board, 25x35 coms

I got a lot of good feedback on my previous flower series and hence decided to do some more.This is something similar to one I had done earlier. This is done from imagination and has already managed to enliven my living room

Love Dart- 35 x 40 cms oil on Board

Whatever be the environment in which love exists, the lovers always aim at bullseye!Flames of love surpass everything. Was good to get back to the familiar oils.I kept it loose and unplanned and let the brush guide me. It was fun doing this as this is something which is straight from the heart and unlike anything structured that i always do.Maybe I can call it contemporary. of course it looks better than the photo!

Sketch- Carbon Pencil

This is a sketch of a Professor of my MBA college. He requested me to make a sketch of himself and I am really grateful for that as I got some good drawing practice. This is done on Paper size slightly smaller than A4 and done by carbon pencils . i used one of his photos as a reference photo. The eyes are not perfect ; otherwise, I am happy with the sketch and so is he.Wish I could send him the original , but he now resides abroad. Will have to look for a chance to send it to him.

A statement

Hi Friends,

First of all thanks to all the regular visitors of my blog, for taking interest in my art and encouraging me constantly. It has spiraled my own efforts to a considerable extent.Often, when I wouldn't be painting for weeks, I would get "knock knock "comments and smses asking me why I haven't and I would  again get back to drawing!

A few points of clarification and reiteration about what my blog and art is all about:

1) This blog is a diary of all my efforts at drawing and painting.
2) It is my most important Work Life Balance tool. As of now, I am taking refuge in my art and blogging about art  and finding soul connect with it.
3) I am in the learning stage as far as art is concerned and treat every piece of art I do as a learning experience.
4) Each medium that I have used has been a source of learning and delight for me.
5) Eventually I hope to make my art and blog commercial, however that will be the ultimate win win situation as learning and the soul connect will never end.

A few points about what my blog and art is not about:

1) This blog is not a short cut to an ego trip.
2) This blog is not a showcase of the number of comments I receive.
3) My art is not about pleasing others, but making me happy and making me express my innermost feelings.
4) This blog is not about restricting my creative juices and showcasing only what is "thought" to be appropriate or "nice" .
5) Finally , this blog is not a platform to please anyone else but myself at this point of time.

My plea to my friends and visitors:

1) Please help me grow in my artistic learning
2) Please give me constructive feedback
3) Please be open for discussion when you give comments
4) Please send me links to other great art sites if you know of any.
5) Please do not waste time in giving comments which are not based on artistic interests.
6) Please give your name when you give your comments as I would like to know who is critiquing my art.
7) Please do not delete comments once published, unless it is for some serious reason as it affects the comments thread and restricts good critique
8) Finally, please help me grow as an artist in the true sense of the term!

I once again thank everyone for the encouragement and appreciation and hope to start my next painting in a day or two after my long rest!

Sketch- Carbon Pencil

This is a practice sketch made from the photograph of a model. This is just for learning and not for sale.

Practice Sketch-Charcoal

This is a sketch made of a photograph of a model. This is just for practice and not for sale.

Birthday Orchids -WC Pencils

This bouquet was home delivered to me on my birthday, as a surprise.Painting this was a pleasure for me as the flowers and the surprise both were lovely. Even more important was the fact that after years of dreading my Birthday for some personal reasons, I had finally welcomed this year's with an open mind!It is Art which gave me a new lease of life and made me find inner happiness. This post is dedicated to all the people in my life, who have been special to me in the following ways:

Friends, who egged me on and appreciated and encouraged me to paint.

Colleagues, who pushed me to keep on painting.

A few special people in my art world,who changed my entire perspective about art and upped my learning in a major way.

Finally, people who came into my life and made life bad for me, as now I can contrast what I have to what I had and appreciate the sheer beauty and joy of what I have!

As i was painting this, i was listening to Miley Cyrus's "The Climb". I feel the lyrics were written for me!

Steadfast Breakfast

These fruits and the empty glass ( waiting for the juice to be poured into it) was part of my breakfast the other day. Just decided to draw this as part of my ongoing experimentation with water colour pencils.I know I could have drawn the glass transparency far better with paints, but I think I can do a better job in my next painting! After my 6, 7 drawings and some reading on the net, I am discovering some great advantages of water colour pencils! These are especially good for figure drawings and on-site drawings!

Photos

I have been receiving comments and calls about my bad photography. I have been meaning to take shots with my camera, however it somehow doesn't happen. Maybe it happens when one is more involved with the painting than with the snap of the painting. I guess that's the explanation.The last few ones have been especially bad, but then how much can you expect from an overworked mobile phone camera? This post is probably an explanation to my friends who visit my blog out of interest, or maybe an excuse of my subconcious to let you know that my work is better than it looks!!:)

Veggies

I wanted to paint some veggetables today and literally snatched out these from the maid's hand. This is done with water colour pencils.A tomato, half a capsicum and some dhaniya (Indian Parsley).Water colour pencils is proving to be a good refuge when I want to do a quick evening sketch after work, but don't want to get into the paraphernalia of linseed and turpentine or get frustrated by a badly turned out water colour.Of course I am using them vigorously for figure studies as well.

I Love You

I have been experimenting with water colour pencils of late. They have proved to be a boon for me as I have grown up doing bold strokes with pencils and oils and find it hard to shift to a delicate medium like water colour. This is just a random sketch to enliven a dull evening spent near my daughter's study table.I later etched it with WC pencils . Its not really worth showcasing, but then I love this sketch.My maid has named it ' I Love you'.

My painting stuff-20x 20cm-Oil on Board

The other day, I was dying to paint, but was wondering about the subject. After much looking around about the house and outside it, I zeroed in on my painting cups.The black one with the brushes is the kerosene cup and the white one contains a mixture of turpentine and lincid oil. These cups were given to me by a friend of mine, for my painting purpose.I have a collection of throw away cups donated by friends!!The tube of Lemon Yellow paint has been squeezed out of shape, as in oil painting, that's one of the colours that I use most for mixing and highlighting.

Since it is a very small painting, the snap is of very poor quality ...that too after struggling to capture it for almost an hour..I am liking this painting a lot, as it has my favourite stuff, is bright and lends an air of painting to my living room!!

Indian Girl- Oil on Canvas board, 20 cm x 25 cm

This is a painting I walked in and out of for a long time. I started it one day when I was in the mood for drawing a " not pretty', common, Indian face. But because of my preoccupation with figure studies and outdoor painting,I abandoned it midway.I cleaned my oil brushes yesterday, and completed it!Am actually happy with the result.It does look like one of the many common Indian faces that we see!

Loomis Copy- Figure study

I do not usually do copies , but this is a practice sketch from an original one from Andrew Loomis.Figure study is a whole area in itself and you are left with no choice other than copies. I usually do not upload these practice sketches, but I decided to upload this, just for easy reference in the future learning.This is because I am gifting out the sketch to a friend of mine.

Man- carbon pencil sketch

A sketch of a celebrity made from a photo. It was interesting to try and capture the muscles.

Girl- Carbon Pencil Sketch

A quick sketch of a picture of a celebrity.

Caught Unawares

This is a quick pencil sketch of my 12 year old daughter, as she was reading something.

Sculpture Rapture

These are some "on the spot" pencil sketches of Buddhist sculptures engraved on the walls of Kanheri Caves in Mumbai. The experience made me realise and appreciate the sheer talent and perseverence of the ancient scuptors..I didn't do much shading here, but tried to capture the form and mood of the sculptures.

Cave Wave

These were done at location in Kanheri Caves in Mumbai..It was a delight to try to capture with water colour and inks, the beautiful architechture of the caves.

Tree-Water colour on hand made paper 25 x 36 cm.

This is another plein air painting output. This is a tree in full bloom in my sister's building and I painted this in natural daylight at mid morning.I don't know what this tree is called , but in our mother tongue we call it "Krishnachura".

Plein Air - Garden, Water Colour

My first attempt at Plein air painting. This is a cross section of the garden below my building, done at around 7. 30 in the morning. I could not complete the whole painting in natural light, due to lack of time, as I had to rush to work.That's why I have not worked in shadows and light. I hope to do more as it is fun, exciting and the best learning experience.

Facade of old house- Water-colour

Tried a water painting again.I have been going through the works of various artistes. After getting confounded with various styles,I have come to the conclusion that different artistes use different techniques.There is a basic methodology, but at the end of the day, an artist has his or her own style.This is a painting inspired by a reknowned painter.I did this to get a hang of the spread and control of colours on hand made paper. I hope this will help me do an original painting tomorrow.

Anthuriums

This is inspired by some anthuriums in the garden of my society.I had always been wanting to paint them since a year, but they were out of season for some months. Though its not the best season for flowers, I still brought them onto the canvas.I want to do another one when the flowers look more lush and pretty. Will wait for the right time of the year.
This is clicked, once again on my phone!

Responsibility-Oil on Board, 30 x 40 cms

Growth but not at the cost of nature...Man needs to think responsibly and strike an equal balance. My photos are clicked on the cell phone due to lack of time as it is too much work to take out the camera , just for one painting...but from the next post I'll try to use the camera, so the picture quality is better.

Face- Pencil Sketch

Back after a lull. Did this sketch to get back into the mood. Currently am working on two oils on board. Should be done in a day or two. After about 6 months of struggling with water colours, I have finally got back to oils. Feels good to be back to the familiar linseed oil and turpentine!

Pencil Sketch

Sketc

A sketch of a model done with carbon pencil.Had to make a hurried finish, though

Pencil Sketch- Model

A sketch made from a photo of a model, using carbon pencil and drawing pencils.

Pencil Sketch- Model

A sketch made from a photo of a model, using carbon pencil and drawing pencils.

Pencil Sketch

A sketch I made of a photo of a celebrity, using carbon pencils and drawing pencils

Uptown Girl-Water-colour on hand-made paper

This is a water colour done out of my imagination.

The faceless one-Oil on stretched canvas (16cmx22cml)

You can fit any modern Indian woman's face onto this!

Walk of Life -Water Colour

Walking towards the light? This painting depicts the confusion of of a young mind. Youth is an energetic but turbulent stage.We often don't know which path to take...there is the comfort zone of familiarity (home)and the sportiness of the age .

Shades of love- " Happy Valentine's Day"- Watercolour.

Love is a strange emotion.It has various shades. It can be innocent pink , blooming red, but often also accompanied by shades of blue, tinged with the green of envy..and sometimes love also turns dark, murky and bleeding. But still we crave for love!
Happy valentine's day folks!

Water Colour- Portrait

Water colours is really a challenge.But its also quick and interesting.

Comments- A plea

Dear friends,

Thanks a lot for all your comments on my paintings. it serves as great motivation for me to go on. Just one plea..I request you to give your identity on the comments, so i know who it is coming from. Also..I request you to focus your comments as critique for the painting only. This blog is strictly for my paintings and thus I look forward to feedback and comments only on the paintings. Thanks once again for your encouragement...

Water Colour- Village scene

A water colour I tried out on hand made paper.

Water Colour Practice- Vase

Hosting my first painting for the year 2010. Bin trying to imbibe the nuances of water colours...It seems to be a tough call for me..however, did this small postcard painting inspired from a vase which stands in a corner of my house.Coulndt really do that good a job as I put more flowers than necessary, which tipped the balance of the painting. Still am happy that it went better than my older water colours.