Beauty of the Soul...

"Beauty of the Soul"
Watercolors on Paper (11" x 14")    

It is said that eyes are windows to soul. Soul can be seen and heard from eyes as soul reflects and speaks through eyes. Eyes know the language of soul, expression.

I ended last year with the painting of a sad eye reflecting an unhappy soul. There might be reasons for a soul to be un-happy. But there are no reasons for a soul to be not-happy. Keep your soul happy and let the happiness of your soul be reflected bright in your eyes. Everything in the world looks clearly beautiful for a happy soul through a happy eye.

Connecting last year's last painting with this year's first painting, I took the same subject, Eye. This painting depicts a clear, bright and beautiful eye. If you can look straight into it, you will see the beauty of soul it reflects in it. An eye looks beautiful only when the soul is kept happy. So, keep your soul happy and let the world see it's beauty through your eyes.

"Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical."

- Sophia Loren

Happy Painting !
Happy Soul !!

Details
Title: Beauty of the Soul
Inspiration: My Soul
Mediums: Watercolors on Paper
Size: 11" x 14" (28 cm x 35.5 cm)

Surface: Saunders Cold Press Watercolor Paper, 140 lb/300 gm2

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

What dreams may (be)come true...

A tribute to my Dad

A tribute to my Dad...

Lord Rama and Sita by my Dad

I grew up observing closely my Dad's wonderful Indian Ink Drawing of Lord Rama and Sita. This is the drawing that I stared at most in my life.

Later I tried the same with Ballpoint pen and changed it to Radha and Krishna. Doing a full-blown Painting of the same has been in my dream list for a very long time. I finally attempted to make my dreams (be)come true...

Going BIG...

I never tried this big size Painting. Very first time, I tried 22" x 30" (56 cm x 76 cm) watercolor painting. That is big for a painting like this in watercolor. I spent many hours and in fact probably the longest time of all in recent years. Though I started this last week, I struggled today along the way to get it done. More than anything, my struggle was with both faces to get that pleasant look, as close to as pleasant they look in my Dad's work...I know, I couldn't quite get there for obvious reasons :(

At least, I am happy I made a bold attempt. If I had waited further, the time would never have come!

This is my TRIBUTE in many respects...

Never give up with the God's given gift in life. That is the only way to pay respect to God.

Happy Painting!

Details

Mediums: Watercolors
Title: Radha & Krishna
Category: Random portraits - Admirers
Inspiration: My Dad's Drawing

Size: 22" x 30" (56 cm x 76 cm)

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

Paints: Every single color from my Palette

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

Happy Women's Day...

Happy Woman

When Women are happy, the world is happy.
Happy Women's Day!!

Happy Painting! ;)

Details

Title: Happy Woman
Category: Portrait
Mediums: Watercolors
Inspiration: A photograph

Size: 15" x 22" (38 cm x 55 cm)

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

Paints: Every color on my Palette

Baby Chick...

Baby Chick

A quick one-hour watercolor painting. Keep Practicing!

Happy Painting! ;)

Details

Title: Baby Chick
Category: Nature
Mediums: Watercolors
Inspiration: A photograph

Size: 11" x 15" (28 cm x 38 cm)

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

Paints: Winsor & Newton Cadmium Lemon, Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Violet and Neutral Tint

Every attempt...

Butterfly

Every attempt involves some learning. This is an another painting of my practice with colors.

Happy Painting! ;)

Details

Title: Butterfly
Category: Nature
Mediums: Watercolors
Inspiration: A 2 inch photograph from a News paper

Size: 11" x 15" (28 cm x 38 cm)

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

Paints: Winsor & Newton Cadmium Lemon, Permanent Sap Green, Hookers Green, Cobalt Blue, Opera Rose, Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Violet

Just Practice...

Tulip

This is a quick one-hour Watercolor Painting. An year ago, I couldn't even imagine myself doing a watercolor painting like this in an hour. I believe, constant practice is slowly taking me there. I get the point now why professional artists do watercolor painting very fast.

Enjoy Painting and keep practicing. One can only get better at anything in life by "Just Practice".

Happy Painting! ;)

Details

Title: Tulip
Category: Nature
Mediums: Watercolors
Inspiration: A 2 inch photograph from a News paper

Size: 11" x 15" (28 cm x 38 cm)

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

Paints: Winsor & Newton Ultramarine Violet, Permanent Sap Green, Hookers Green, Cobalt Blue and Yellow Ochre

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 3 and Raphail 8

Singing of Colors...

Singing Birds

Gifted

Every painting is nothing but an experience of a series of brush strokes. When I started watercolor painting an year ago, I was bit tight on holding the brush and used to have my face even very close to the paper. Some Artists would call it- Painting with the Nose. I still do that little bit when I get to the details of certain portions of the painting. But majority of my paintings these days are done very loosely. Painting with freedom is more important, and then only, one can truly experience the Joy of Painting.

This Singing Birds is based on a photograph that I came across recently. To me, the birds look like they are singing in joy. I added my own singing of colors to the painting around the joyfully singing birds.

Sing along with the colors while painting, it makes it a joyful and enjoyable experience.

Enjoy Painting and Keep Practicing ;)

Details

Mediums: Watercolors
Title: Singing Birds
Category: Nature
Inspiration: A photograph by Debashis Das on Facebook

Size: 15" x 22" (38 cm x 55 cm)

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

Paints: Winsor & Newton Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Violet, Neutral Tint

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1, 3 and Raphail 8

On the Top...

On the Top

Keep Painting and Keep Practicing ;)

Details

Mediums: Watercolors
Title: On the Top
Category: Nature
Inspiration: A photograph came across on Facebook

Size: 11" x 15" (28 cm x 38 cm)

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

Paints: Winsor & Newton Burnt Sienna, Opera Rose, Ultramarine Violet, Cobalt Blue, Hookers Green and Olive Green

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

Kids' world is even smaller...

Kids' world is even smaller

We always hear the phrase from grown ups- The World is so small. When the world is so small for grown ups, imagine how tiny it is for kids. They don't expect anything, don't hurt anybody, but get upset very easily when their little world gets disturbed. Imagine, if the world has just kids, that will be the Happiest World!

Love Kids and give all your Love!

"That's the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up." - Walt Disney

It's been awhile since I did a small portrait. As I have been slowly moving towards bigger and bigger paintings, I thought I should try my Childhood Style of small Paintings. There I go...I am quiet happy with the outcome. It was a quick one.

Keep Painting ;)

Details

Mediums: Watercolors
Title: Kids' world is even smaller
Category: Random portraits - from my news paper clippings

Size: 5" x 7" (12 cm x 18 cm)

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

Paints: Winsor & Newton Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Red, Opera Rose, Ultramarine Violet and Quinacridone Gold

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

Comfort Zone...

Tollywood Actress Anushka

Recently, I have been only trying a particular watercolor paper and have become very comfortable with it. Sometimes, it's good to come out of that comfort zone and try different things. First time, I tried Saunders Waterford watercolor paper (rough).

This portrait is based on Tollywood beautiful actress Anushka.

Keep Painting ;)

Details

Mediums: Watercolors
Inspiration:  Portrait of Anushka found on Facebook

Size: 12" x 10" (32 cm x 25 cm)

Toolkit
Surface: Saunders Watercolor Paper, 140 lb Cold Press

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

Brushes: Da Vinci Kolinsky Round Size 1, 3, 5 and 8