watercolors finally

first hurdle crossed

And you thought watercolors were for kids

I completely ruined my first watercolor attempt because I underestimated the wickedness of water colors (nah, to be fair, I thought I was too smart). But then, did not take me long enough to realize that it would take good amount of practice to conquer the supposedly simplest medium for painting.

Oil is deemed to be more professional and classy but some of the effects one can get in water is totally unachievable in oil. The properties of two media are entirely different and it really depends on what one is trying to achieve. I find the transparency and wash effect of water colors incredible. Also, one needs to be much more perfect when painting using water because it dries instantaneously and there are no second chances whereas with oil, you can go on and on till you get the desired results. This is also the biggest plus side once you get comfortable because you can complete a painting with water in one sitting. The last biiiiiiiiiiiiiig advantage is of course cleaning the brushes. If you have ever tried cleaning oil paint brushes, then you know its not an ignorable advantage either.

So, I am definitely looking forward to get to the medium we all experimented with as kids. Why am I thinking of Holi? :)

Foliage

The Foliage (12" x 9" oil on canvas)

The landscape chosen from a demonstration of Larry Seiler. Completed in a day and half.

Indian Artwork

I've been recently looking into some of the art works by Indian artists and this one captured my attention. It is an acrylic on canvas work by Parag Adhikari, who has done some other neat stuff using watercolor too. I just love the reds in this painting, it has a definite sense of hinduism associated with the temples and sacred rivers. It just makes me think of Benaras, those 'ganga' ghats and rituals. I am gravely impressed by the artist's choice of scene and colors. Those looming clouds, that market ambience and the glow of flames which I can envision in the artwork is at the same time so leading and yet so indefinite. I am sure it will give diverse thought processes to different individuals. I can see a temple because I've seen one, it will look totally different to someone who doesn't know what a temple is. And I wonder what he/she will think about. Totally astounding.

pink rose

pink-rose

(10x10 oil on hardboard)

The rose design is taken from one of Doug Braithwaite's pieces. This is for Roux on his b'day.

expressions

another layer

rainy day - final

calm

Next to Come

Working on a pic of mine from Vermont trip, following a rigorous old masters' technique that takes minimum 7 weeks (not that I am following it to the very details but as per my convenience). This is the intermediate version, 3 more layers are to be painted-
And the original sketch is-

“All human wisdom is summed up in two words - wait and hope”

And, now its time to see another episode of 'That 70s Show' before I sleep....
shabba-khair

still wet on canvas

"rainy-day"
9x12" oil on canvas

Inspired from the rainy friday, I wanted to paint something dark, something wet and this is what I got. Couldn't get a better picture and the colors seen are very faded, shall put up the final version when it has dried properly.

details on: A_Rainy_Evening

my first one on canvas

I thought I would never get it complete but finally I have.

hibiscus

I have looked at it so many times by now that I cant even make out if its good or not...but I am just glad that I feel its complete now.

I have just started playing with the colors and it seems I have already wasted 24 years without them..but never too late.


I intend to post the paintings related stuff in detail on my 'painting blog' from now on.