Nostalgia

Watercolor 

15"x 22"

Another one in a bigger dimensions. In fact I am liking this size - bigger IS better(though framing these would be a costly affair). This is a portrait of a friend's grand mother. I have met her many times and I just love her face.She must be in her late eighties- but doesn't look her age. I am fortunate that my friend is a photographer and allows me to use some really nice shots of her to paint!

'Venerable' -Portrait of a Friend's Mom

9"x12"

watercolor on paper

This is a watercolor sketch of my blogger friend Liz Holms' mom.This elegant lady suffers from Alzheimer,and Liz has been taking care of her for as long as I know her.I have always admired both of these ladies; its been a while since I asked Liz if I could paint her ( since Liz is a terrific painter herself, it felt awkward) but she obliged very graciously...this is just a sketch that I did on a 90 lb paper- I wanted to prepare for a bigger painting- but it turned out so well that I am sharing it here with all of you.As you can see, I have tried a different palette this time, ditching my usual yellow and blue!

London Street

"12"x 9"

watercolor on paper

Something different from my side.This is from a picture I took in London last summer when Olympic fever was on- thus the flags- but I liked the way they brighten up the scene..I have been planning to do this piece for weeks but putting it off because I am really not confident about painting buildings.I would love to, but I simply can not understand them the way I do human faces and figures.I sure hope that with practice, I will be able to relate to them better in future....By the way, I like the sunlit figures and enjoyed painting these three the most.Don't you like the man in orange? he looks so cute, sauntering away in his purple pants! Actually he was wearing an orange work-suit kind of thing-(may be he was a construction worker or something like that) but I improvised a bit!)

Watching the Waves Dance_A Watercolor Portrait

"Watching the Waves Dance"

15"x 22"

Watercolor Paper 

Having spent a fortune on  the pricey Arches 300 lb sheets last month, I have been feeling a little guilty about not using them as yet for my portraits.The reason being- inability to find a perfect subject to paint! (or was it the fear of wasting a good paper with a mediocre painting?!) Well finally I got over this fear/ indecisiveness last evening as I fished out an old photograph that was taken in 2010.Its of my nephew on Lido beach in Hong Kong, and one of my favorites.Some of my old friends here would probably recognize it because I painted in once in the same year; You may take a peak at the old one here....but I do  feel that my art and my techniques have changed a lot since then, (hopefully for  better! :)) So I went ahead and painted it again.

My conclusion? My skills in painting skin tones on the limbs need some polishing, I particularly struggled with shadows on his legs and feet.I think I should paint a few more like these....

'Ready for the Journey' Sold

I sold my Boat Painting last night, on Daily Paint Works Auction; my first sale on this platform.This was one of my favorites,

Tough Life

"Tough Life"

Graphite pencil on paper A 3 size

My first pencil drawing of 2013! I have been working on it for last 10-12 days..completed a day ago.It was a photograph of a small time iron smith from India, taken by my friend Vikram. I liked the way this man's tough life reflects on his face. It took me about 32 hours to complete this piece, but I am happy that it came out well.

Pink Cosmos

Cosmos

14"x10"

Watercolor on paper

A page from this year's calendar; Pink Cosmos flowers in bloom.....It has been snowing here since morning; so thinking about a little sunshine won't hurt!

Black Beauty

11" x 9"

Watercolor on HP paper

Another one in my animal painting series.I like these black faced sheep; they are the most common breed in UK and Scotland.They look so distinguished.Though I think I overdid its face, could have used some patches of white! Anyway, its a fun piece, enjoy.

The Rooster II

7" x 9"

Watercolor on paper

I felt like painting some cute little animals today...this is the first one, I will post another animal painting tomorrow.May be some squirrels will follow...For some reason, they look best in impressionistic watercolors!

Shy

7"x5"

Acrylic on box canvas

This morning I happened to come across a store where art material was on sale, I couldn't resist a peek, and  picked up this tiny canvas ( 7''x5'') . As I came home, excited to start painting, I found out to my dismay that most of my acrylic colors had dried or thickened- I had not touched them in years! Still  managed to squeeze out some cadmium yellow and turquoise blue; and painted this little sunflower. But I am sure going to buy some acrylics soon, I had so much fun painting this small work.

Innocence2

watercolor, 10"x7"

Somehow I can not come up with the title other than "innocence" when its a small child !They have this expression oozing out of their lovely faces.This is my niece Diva, daughter of my younger brother.She was 8 months old when I took this picture.Now she has completed her first year, but the 'innocence'  still sits there, nice and pretty! My brother had been asking for her portrait for quite sometime, so in a way, it was overdue :)

This was painted earlier this month, I am posting it today as a filler because currently am working on a pencil drawing, which will take up another week of my time...( 11 hours so far and its still 1/3 complete!) I can finish a watercolor within 2-3 hours but pencil work involves a lot of detail work.Its a pity that I can't work on that as much as I would because my elbow and shoulder muscles start hurting after a few sessions. IS it called 'Artists's elbow"?!

Yellow Turban

watercolor

 14"x 10"

Technically this is my first painting in 2013.I have been busy with guests lately, got to paint only last evening.This Indian man is from a village and sports a traditional turban.I saw him in Rishikesh on my last trip to India and was immediately drawn to his yellow turban.People from Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat wear these turbans- these are hot desert regions and these large turbans offer people protection from elements of nature.These turbans also serve many more purposes, but here my sole purpose is to depict its sheer beauty! Hope you like it.

Starry Eyed

6"x6"

watercolor on handmade paper

Another year has gone by- very quickly , it seems to me!It has been a good year for me, as I stepped out of my comfort zone and learned new techniques, made new friends and sold a few paintings!I thank you all for being there, offering support and showering me with apprecitaion.Without you, I would not be painting as much I do now.

My resolution for next year is to paint more and more, and try out some more techniques.

Here is a brand new artwork, a close up of a cute niece of mine :)

Happy New Year to all of you.