Headed for the River

Oil on Primed Paper (22" x 15")

This old man is walking down the stairs to have a dip in the Ganga for his ablutions and prayers. The reference for this painting is the same as for Ganeshnath.
All comments and critques are welcome.

From the Archives

Kerala (Watercolour on Paper)

This is an old painting which I had done from one of Sujit's photographs. He is as good a photographer as he is a painter. I do not like the way I have handled the stone wall. All comments and suggestions are welcome.

On way to Kerala

Watercolour on paper (11" x 14")

This one was done from one of the many photographs I took on our way to Kerala. It was one tiring journey from Hyderabad to Munnar which consisted of everything from rail travel, air travel and of course the unforgettable road journey from Bangalore to Kerala. However, when we finally reached our destination we were glad that all the effort was nothing compared to the peace, beauty and a sense of being in heaven that awaited us.

I plan to paint many more paintings from these photos. 

All comments and critiques are most welcome.

Self portrait

Oil on Paper (14" x 11")

This is a self portrait I did two days ago looking into the mirror. I have been invited to join Arti's blog "Artists of India". This is my first post on the blog.

All comments and suggestions are welcome.

A thousand years of Irish history .....

Watercolour (9" x 4")

In this sweltering Indian summer, its really difficult to get out and paint en plein air. So I have decided to stick to still lives for the time being. Besides, our teacher Mr. Mahurkar used to say that still lives can be a good way to regain your confidence that can be lost due to irregular painting and long breaks.

This is a small sketch of a miniature bottle of "Irish Mist". Its from the collection of a friend who is just crazy about these miniature wine bottles. It took me some effort to get him to lend me one of these bottles for an afternoon of painting. I hope I could do justcie to the beauty and romance of the subject here.
All comments and critiques are most welcome.

P.S. Irish Mist is said to be made according to a thousand year old wine recipe.

Kokan ..... Monochrome in Burnt Umber

Watercolour (11" x 14")

I have been to Kokan several times and the fascination for the hills and the thatched roofs grows with every visit. I did this monochrome from a photograph of a small village that  had taken during my last visit. I like to do monochromes once in a while. Its a great relief when one doesnt have to bother about getting the colours right and fresh every single time. All one needs to do is to bother about the values.

In my limited experience I have come to realise that Burnt Umber and Prussian Blue are the two colours that are least likely to granulate, whereas Cobalt Blue and Fresh Ultramarie are the most likely. I want to try this subject with french ultramarine too, so as to strike a comparison in terms of added value (or reduced value) that granulation lends to a watercolour.

All thoughs, comments, critiques and suggestions are most welcome.

Railway Colony

Watercolour on paper (11" x 15")

Nice, warm Sunday afternoon and a quite, shady place to sit and paint, what else does one need? Well, one does need the skill to paint, and I guess I am on my way to gaining some. I did this in the railway colony area near Secunderabad station. I am not perfectly happy with the effort. I wish I had handled the sadow side of the house as well as the roof of the distant house better. Figures, as always, arent working the way I wanted them to. Anyways, wa a good learning experience.
All comments and suggestions are welcome.

Telangkhedi Village

Watercolour on handmade paper

Again one of those occassions where you (or rather I) have to begin from scratch. When I feel that I have absolutely no skill or familiarity with watercolour. This happens to me quite often, when I feel like all my previous watercolours were painted by someone else. I need a sureshot solution that works everytime I get into this slump. Terry Miura , an artist I greatly admire has written a very nice and helpful post on his blog. Click here to see the post.

This painting was done from a sketch I made of the Telangkhedi area in my hometown Nagpur. All comments and suggestions are most welcome.

Contemplation

Oil on primed paper

This is the second painting that was selected for the State Level Exhibition at State Art Gallery, Madhapur, Hyderabad. The first one was "Nrusinhapur". I wish I had handled the legs and the flooring better. I hope someday I will be able to achieve the kind of edges that separate the work of amateurs from that of professionals.

All comments, suggestions and corrections are most welcome.

Portrait of my Mother

STAGE I

STAGE II

STAGE III

"Aai"

Oil on Canvas : 19" x 20"

This is an Alla Prima portrait of my mother done from life. I agreee when they say that portrait painting requires a hell lot of patience. But I think, what they meant was the sitter's patience. The painter is anyways busy doing what he loves to do most .... paint.
This has been done on a 20" x 19" canvas taped to my drawing board. I had Whistler's composition at the back of my mind and even wanted to introduce a picture frame at the top left corner.
This was surely a most valuable learning experience. It took me around 6 hrs to complete this.
All comments, suggestions and corrections are most welcome.

Lonavala

Watercolour on paper (11" x 15")

I made this from another of the many sketches I have done during my visit to Lonavala. I am not satisfied with the figure in particular. Maybe, the rickshaw could have done with a bit mroe of detail. All comments and suggestions are welcome.

Trevor Chamberlain, the master artist!

Summer Light, West Mersea, Oil on canvas 14" x 18"

This is my humble attempt at copying Trevor Chamberlain's "Summer Light, West Mersea". Trevor Chamberlain is amongst the finest of landscape artists all over the world. He is a very successful and celebrated painter who excels in watercolours as well as oils. He is a self taught artist and learned painting watercolours at the age of 40, all on his own. His work inspires me endlessly. I hope I have done some justice to the great master of our times.
This painting was done as a wedding gift for a very close friend who would  not accept anything else.

Chico .....my entry for FOLLOWING THE MASTERS

11" x 14" (Oil on primed paper)

This is my entry for Michelle Burnett's blog Following The Masters. The current challenge is devoted to Robert Henri. This is my humble attempt at his masterpiece "Boy with a green cap (or Chico)". It was only when I was painting that I realised what must have gone into the original. It was very difficult for me to get the skin tones as fresh as they are in the original. Indeed DOING IS KNOWING. This was a great learning experience.

All comments are most welcome.

Kerala

Watercolour on paper (14" x 20")

I took many photographs during our trip to Kerala. I did this one from one of those pics. All comments are welcome.

Nrusinhapur

Watercolour on paper: 20" x 14"

This is not an attempt at copying one of Mr. Mulick's paintings. But, I must confess that it was only after going through his beautiful books on watercolour that I realised that beauty can be found in the most mundane and humble subjects. I guess I owe Mulick Sir in more ways than one.

All comments are welcome.

Railway Yard, Lonavala .... SOLD

Watercolour on paper (14" x 20")

Did this one from one of the reference sketches I made during my last trip to the lovely town of Lonavala.

Ganeshnath

Oil on Primed Paper (11" x 14")
This is another portrait I have attempted from the photographs my kind friend has sent to me.

Daddy's White Muffler

Oil on primed paper (11" x 15")

I have attempted this portrait from a snap sent to me by a photographer friend. All comments are most welcome.