Nātyānjali-12: A Tribute to Indian Classical Dance...

Indian Classical Dance - Watercolors on Paper

My tribute to Indian Classical Dance continues with one of the classic bhangimas (poses) of Bharathanatyam, in this 12th painting of this series.

The only satisfaction in Arts is practice. Keep Practicing for more and more satisfaction!
Happy Painting!

Details
Title: Nātyānjali-12

Mediums: Watercolors
Category: Portraits
Inspiration: Passion for Indian Arts...

Size: 14" x 11" (35 cm x 28 cm)
Surface: Canson Watercolor Paper, 140 lb Cold Press

Nātyānjali-11: A Tribute to Indian Classical Dance...

Indian Classical Dance - Watercolors on Paper

My tribute to Indian Classical Dance continues with this 11th painting in this series. Tried little different in dark colors.

When you stop, you stop to progress, continue painting!
Happy Painting!

Details
Title: Nātyānjali-11

Mediums: Watercolors
Category: Portraits
Inspiration: Passion for Indian Arts...

Size: 14" x 11" (35 cm x 28 cm)
Surface: Canson Watercolor Paper, 140 lb Cold Press

When Art meets Art...

 Ganga Kuchipudi Dance with Ganga Art backdrop

Yesterday evening was a memorable experience for me watching the Magnificent Kuchipui Dance Ballet Tripaadi Ganga choreographed, directed and performed by Sailaja Tummala garu with her dance school students at the Collins Center for Performing Arts, Andover, MA organized by World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) and Sri Kuchipudi Natyalaya.

It was a delighting experience seeing my Art as the backdrop on the stage during this two-and-half-hour long wonderful ballet on the concept of different forms of Ganga - Sweeya, Parakeeya and Saamaanya, beautifully narrated and depicted on the stage through Kuchipudi Dance.

Following are the three sketches done for introducing those three forms:

Sweeya - A woman who loves, marries and lives with one for life

Parakeeya - Marries one but loves another

Saamaanya - One who can be with many

Indian Classical Dance has been one of the subjects that I have been doing series of paintings in both Watercolors and Oil colors. I admire this divine form of Art so much and always get inspired by it. I am truly honored to get this opportunity to do few sketches for this beautiful Kuchipudi Dance Ballet that depicted Ganga in three forms from 1) Born for Lord Shiva (Sweeya) to 2) Living with King Shantanu (Parakeeya) due to Bramha's Curse and 3) Reaching millions of people in India now who live and depend on it's water for daily living.

Many Thanks to Sailaja garu for giving me this opportunity and I was humbled by her words when she mentioned my name and my Art at the end of the show. Not only a wonderful Kuchipudi dancer, she is very inspirational speaker. I am also thankful to Radha Jaldu for introducing me and my Art to Sailaja garu. I am even more inspired now.

It was an evening very well spent and I cherish all those moments and the wonderful experience forever.

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Some more moments captured:

Once again, putting my Soul on Canvas...

Sketch for an Oil Painting

Drawing and sketching is the foundation for Painting!
In my belief, a good-start should lead to a good-finish!

Looking forward for another wonderful experience with the richest of all painting media- Oil Painting. This is the biggest in size that I've ever attempted. Hoping to get all the finest of the finest details in this attempt. Once again, I am putting my Soul on Canvas...

Happy Painting.....Art is my Soul!

As this Painting progresses, I also make a progress!
Enjoying my deep presence with it...

Stage-1

Details

Mediums: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24" x 36" (60.9 cm x 91.4 cm)

My first Complete-attempt in Oil - Nātyānjali-10: A Tribute to Indian Classical Dance...

Nātyānjali-10: Indian Classical Dance...

Oil Painting has been my dream and is the richest of all painting media. Though I made few attempts in the past, I never came this close to call any of my attempts a complete-attempt.

After gaining some experience with watercolor media lately, I felt like resuming my attempts with Oil Painting. Having done a series of watercolor paintings on few subjects, deciding on what to attempt for my first Oil Painting was a no-brainer for me and I chose my favorite subject - "Nātyānjali - My tribute to Indian Classical Dance". However, I wanted to do a Painting that can only be attempted in Oil and should also be a challenging.

A Painting in dark colors is something that I have in my wish-list for years. This is obviously something that I couldn't do in watercolors. I did one in the past with just "Indian Ink" though. This idea of 'a painting in dark colors' from my wish-list popped up again and put me into a challenging beginning of my journey with Oil Painting. I took it serious this time and worked on it solely for few weeks, awaiting patiently week-after-week for it to dry up little bit after each phase during the lengthy process of Oil Painting.

I am very happy with my first challenging-attempt of this Oil Painting that I can call - a complete-attempt. Now, I can proudly say, the journey of my soul has just begun on Canvas. Also, my impression of 'Oil Painting is easy' has began to fade and I began to believe that each media poses it's own challenges to the Artist.

In many aspects, it is a complete(d)-attempt and I am quite happy with my efforts and the result.

Happy Painting.
Experience all media to increase your visibility of Art and Artist!

Details
Mediums: Oil on Canvas
Title: Nātyānjali - My Tribute to Indian Classical Dance
Category: Portraits
Inspiration: My dream wish-list and random pictures

Size: 22" x 28" (56 cm x 71 cm)

Toolkit
Surface: Artist's Loft Gallery Wrapped Traditional Canvas
Paints: Rembrandt Artist's quality Oil Paints
Brushes: No 1, 5 and 8 filbert, No. 1 rounded
Other Media: Winsor & Newton Liquin Original

My Soul On Canvas...

Oil Painting - A Sketch - the very first step

Oil Painting - has been my dream for the longest period in my life. In the era of no(n)-internet, when I was working in Hyderabad, India, I tried all reachable resources: Books, Friends, City Central Library in Chikkadapally, Art stores etc. to get myself little educated with the material and the process of Oil Painting. But my efforts had no luck.

Though I tried Oil Painting almost 15 years ago when I was living in Chicago, I did not get into it seriously. Five years ago, I made another sincere attempt, but kept it aside and got more into  Watercolor Painting. Some of my friends even said I should revisit my blog title "My Soul On Canvas". Now, finally, I revisit it. I revisit my dream, with much more discipline, much more determination, much more sincerity and much more self-motivation-and-inspiration.

I learned the fact, the hard way: unlike Watercolor Painting, Oil Painting requires more time & effort. It is also often said that if one can do Watercolor Painting, Oil Painting should be easy. I am not entirely sure on that, but, I do believe, each one comes with it's own challenges.

After making my initial investments of my time, efforts and money to put my Soul On Canvas; with this Painting, I start putting my baby steps into it. Soon, I am hoping to learn how to walk first before I will try to run.

I sincerely believe in Sincere Efforts. This time, I will try to be more sincere than ever.
Efforts will never go waste...after all, at the end if we don't succeed, we at least learn.

Underpainting:

Stages:

Happy Painting!

Details

Mediums: Oil on Canvas
Size: 22" x 28" (55.8 cm x 71.1 cm)

Nātyānjali-9: A Tribute to Indian Classical Dance...

Nātyānjali- A tribute to Indian Classical Dance

Gifted

Continuing my series on the subject of "Indian Classical Dance", I tried this painting a bit different than any other previously done on this subject. With a mixture of both cool and warm colors, I tried to get some dramatic effect of light coming through the skies onto everything visible in this painting.

Light is what makes our eyes see objects. It is also the light that makes a Painting look interesting and beautiful. Painting after painting, I am still trying to learn the Art of seeing light and the skill of bringing it out from the paper, which otherwise is spread all over hiding the actual Painting in it.

This painting is based on a commercial of Indian Handloom in which the versatile dancer Shobhana danced to the wonderful tunes. This video, so beautifully done, is the source of inspiration for my painting. Here is the link to the actual video.

Happy colorful and de-lightful Painting!

Details

Mediums: Watercolors
Title: Natyanjali-9
Category: Random portraits - Admirers
Inspiration: A commercial video of Shobhana

Size: 15" x 22" (38 cm x 56 cm)

Toolkit
Surface: Saunders Rough High White Watercolor paper, 140 lb Cold Press

Paints: Winsor & Newton Burnt Sienna, Opera Rose, Ultramarine Violet, Cobalt Turquoise Light, Cobalt Blue, Neutral Tint, and HWC Yellow Ochre 

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1, 3 and 5

Nātyānjali-8: Indian Classical Dance...

Nātyānjali-8: Indian Classical Dance

TAKEN: $325

This is just a continuation of the series of Paintings on one of my dream subjects- "Indian Classical Dance".

Happy Painting!

Details

Mediums: Watercolors
Title: Nātyānjali - Indian Classical Dance
Category: Random portraits - from pictures
Inspiration: A picture of Shobhana

Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Toolkit
Surface: Artistico Fabriano Watercolor Paper, 140 lb Cold Press

Paints: All colors from my Palette

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1, 3 and 5

Nātyānjali-7: Indian Classical Dance...

Nātyānjali - Portrait of Kamal Haasan from the
Telugu movie Sagara Sangamam

The series of my paintings on the subject of "Indian classical Dance" will only be incomplete without at least one painting based on the movie Sagara Sangamam - one of greatest Indian movies of all time on the same subject.

This is the movie that inspires me on any given day. The Classical Dancer role played by Kamal Haasan - the most versatile and multi-talented actor of Indian Cinema, is heart-touchingly designed and directed by director Sri K.Viswanath.

As the movie inspires me every single time I watch it, I am happy, now this painting doubles that inspiration every time when I look at it.

In the climax of this movie, as it is rightly ends by saying- THERE IS NO END TO ART!

Keep Getting Inspired and Keep Painting!

Details

Mediums: Watercolors
Title: Nātyānjali - Indian Classical Dance
Category: Random portraits - from pictures
Inspiration: The Movie Sagara Sangamam

Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Toolkit
Surface: Artistico Fabriano Watercolor Paper, 140 lb Cold Press

Paints: Winsor & Newton Burnt Sienna, Quincridone Gold,  Cobalt Turquoise Light, Ultramarine Violet and Neutral Tint

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1, 3 and 5

Nātyānjali-6: Indian Classical Dance...

Nātyānjali - Indian Classical Dance

The Nātyānjali series I started last August continues with this 6th painting in the series.
Check my previous paintings on this subject here.

Keep Painting and Keep Practicing ;)

Details

Mediums: Watercolors
Title: Nātyānjali - Indian Classical Dance
Category: Random portraits - from pictures
Inspiration: A picture

Size: 15" x 22" (38 cm x 55 cm)

Toolkit
Surface: Saunders Watercolor Paper Rough, 140 lb Cold Press

Paints: Winsor & Newton Burnt Sienna, Quincridone Gold, Ultra Marine Blue, Cadmium Red, Opera Rose, HWC Lavender and Neutral Tint

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1, 3 and 5

Nātyānjali-5: Indian Classical Dance...

Nātyānjali - Indian Classical Dance

The Nātyānjali series I started last August goes on with this 5th painting in the series. The much needed  inspiration to start a painting comes for this out of my treasure-box-of-inspirations from my college-days of good-old news-paper-cuttings. It is based on a bhangima (pose) by Versatile Dancer and Telugu actress Bhanupriya.

This takes me back to my Engineering College days. I did a pen sketch of this for our College Magazine during my final-year exams after my juniors requested me saying not to leave the magazine without any of my Arts for that year. I didn't get a chance to look at the printed magazine as it was scheduled to be printed after I finished my college.

Good (g)old memories last longer than (m)any!

I am very satisfied with this painting. Turned a 4" x 6" paper cutting of black & white picture into a big color-painting of 15" x 22". The outcome was very clean and crisp, one of my best so far. Of course, as I always say- The Best is yet to come.

Check my previous paintings in this series here.

Keep Painting and Keep Practicing ;)

Details

Mediums: Watercolors
Title: Nātyānjali - Indian Classical Dance
Category: Random portraits - from my news paper clippings
Inspiration: Pose by Telugu actress Bhanupriya

Size: 15" x 22" (38 cm x 55 cm)

Toolkit
Surface: Saunders Watercolor Paper Rough, 140 lb Cold Press

Paints: Winsor & Newton Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Red, Opera Rose, Ultramarine Violet and Neutral Tint

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1, 3 and 5

Natyanjali-4: Indian Classical Dance...

Indian Classical Dance

Natyanjali - the Series of Indian Classical Dance goes on...Happy to share this fourth Painting of this series.

Materials 

Mediums: Watercolors
Surface: Artistico Fabriano Watercolor Paper, 140 lb Cold Press
Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Paints: Holbein Artist Watercolor (HWC) Cadmium Red,
Winsor & Newton Raw Sienna, Quinacridone Gold, Cobalt Blue and Neutral Tint

Brushes: Raphail Mop 8, Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1 and 5

Natyanjali-3: Indian Classical Dance...

Indian Classical Dance

Indian Classical Dance - Happy to share this third Painting of this series.

In watercolor painting, as in life: "what you don't paint is equally important as what you do paint" - Steve Puttrich @StevePuttrich

Materials 

Mediums: Watercolors
Surface: Artistico Fabriano Watercolor Paper, 140 lb Cold Press
Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Paints: Holbein Artist Watercolor (HWC) Cadmium Red,
Winsor & Newton Cadmium Lemon, Raw Sienna, Quinacridone Gold, Cobalt Turquoise and Neutral Tint

Brushes: Raphail Mop 8, Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1 and 5

Natyanjali-2: Indian Classical Dance...

Indian Classical Dance

Indian Classical Dance - It's been one of my dream subjects. I always wanted to do a series of Paintings on this subject. Now, I am happy to present the Second Painting of this series.

Happy Painting ;)

Materials 

Mediums: Watercolors
Surface: Artistico Fabriano Watercolor Paper, 140 lb Cold Press
Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Paints: Holbein Artist Watercolor (HWC) Cadmium Red, Yellow Ochre
Winsor & Newton Cadmium Lemon, Ultramarine violet, Raw Sienna, Quinacridone Gold, Cobalt Blue and Opera Rose

Brushes: Raphail Mop 8, Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1 and 5

Natyanjali-1: Indian Classical Dance (Bharata Natyam)...

Happy Painting ;)

Materials 

Mediums: Watercolors
Surface: Artistico Fabriano Watercolor Paper, 140 lb Cold Press
Size: 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)

Paints: Holbein Artist Watercolor (HWC) Lavender, Yellow Ochre
Winsor & Newton Cadmium Lemon, Hookers Green, Raw Sienna, and Opera Rose

Brushes: Raphail Mop 8, Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1 and 5

A painting can change the mood...

Bharatanatyam

Certain days have a gloomy start; we don't know what to do, but we feel like doing something close to our heart. Yesterday, on such a day, I opened my college-days collection of paper cuttings. Most of those were mainly appealing to me and a source of inspiration for me to start a drawing or painting during my college-days. A small black and white picture which I believe I did a pen sketch for our college magazine made me to start this painting. Guess what, rest of my day took me out from this world for few hours.

I tried to get that very pleasant face into my painting. At the end, I felt like I should have started even on a bigger size paper. I gave my best to turn my gloomy day into a bright one.

Art is always inspiring, refreshing and can change bad mood into good mood.

Happy Painting ;)

Materials 

Mediums: Watercolors
Surface: Canson Artist Series Watercolor Paper, 140 lb/300 G, Cold press
Size: 11" x 13 1/2" (28 cm x 34 cm)

Paints: Winsor & Newton - Opera Rose, Raw Sienna, Olive green, Grumbacher Academy Violet and Rowney Georgian Ultramarine Blue

Brushes: 8, 6, 2 and 000 round Sable

Stages 

Stage-2: Initial Painting

Stage-1: Pencil sketch

Art Inspires Art...

Indian Classical Dance

One form of Art always inspires another form of Art, there is no doubt about it! Indian classical dance is a very fine subject for any Artist to do a series of Drawings and Paintings. The gestures and facial expressions found in this form of dance are endless.

I happened to go to an Arangetram (the debut on-stage performance of a classical dance student ) of one of my neighbor's daughter. She was such a wonderful dancer and her performance was so inspiring and I took pictures of many postures for my series of future paintings. This painting is based on one of those pictures.

This is another painting that I started more than an year ago, but only finished it last week to call it "done". For many days I was just looking at it thinking about what to put in the background. Finally decided to just go with a bright color in watercolor way. I am happy with the color that I had put for the background and it helped elevate all other colors in this painting and made this painting more appealing to me.

Happy Painting ;)

Materials 

Mediums: Watercolors
Surface: Beinfang Watercolor Paper, 140 lb. 207 GSM
Size: 9" x 12" (23 cm x 30 cm)

Paints: Grumbacher - Violet, Cadmium Yellow pale hue, Winsor & Newton - Raw Sienna, Cobalt blue, Cadmium Orange hue, Hooker's Green, Rowney Georgian - Burnt Sienna, Ultra Marine Blue

Brushes: 10 round sable, 00 synthetic Winsor & Newton, and 000 Sable synthetic blend