Friday, December 22, 2017

Happy Holidays


Not much painting happening for last few days. My 'To do' list is getting longer and longer, there is so much stuff still left to be done.This snow dog was done a while back but he looks perfect on a Holiday card. This is just wish every one of my blogger friends a great Holiday Season and a very happy, joyous, prosperous and successful New Year. Hope you all are having a great time with your families..have fun! xx

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Online Art Galleries_ Yay or Nay

As another year comes to an end, I can't help but think about if could I have done any better. It has been a good year for me as an artist; (though not so good health wise) but of course I could have pushed a bit harder.I realise that I have been slacking off, relying too much on the online galleries for sales.The galleries do give us artists much needed exposure but they also take a huge chunk out of our profits. Plus, we don't get to connect with the buyers as we would like to. Art is about that connection, isn't it. I would love to be able to talk to my buyers freely, without the 'Big Brother' watching!
There is a gallery that I am a member of; which has given me some sales but I don't get to know anything about the buyer other than their name and address.They can't write to me, neither am I supposed to communicate with them. I have absolutely no idea if they liked their painting or not. Doesn't give me a good feeling. Also, we are not allowed to price our art any lower on other sites including our own websites so that there goes our chance to sell direct!
On the other hand in last two weeks I had emails from two different buyers who came through my personal website.One wanted to see the art in person and eventually we managed a viewing at my place.He ended up buying four paintings! Second buyer commissioned one but bought two when he came to visit and had a look at my work in person.
This brings me to a conclusion that its alright to start with online galleries, but we must be ready to spread out our wings eventually. Keeping our personal websites upto date and building a rapport with past buyers is time well spent. Sending cards and emails occasionally might help keeping their memories fresh. I must admit I have been quite lazy in this regard so far. The task seems so daunting and so time consuming that I have been putting it off. But deep down I know I should be trying harder. So this year's resolution is to change my ways, do things differently.
Hope you all have a very Happy and Successful New Year xx

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Pastel Portrait_ Woman in Lemon Shawl

I saw this woman in Rishikesh on my last trip to India earlier this year.She was one among many who flock the banks of river Ganga, seeking peace and embracing spirituality. She was not beautiful in a traditional sense but I liked her weather beaten face and world weary expression.

Woman in Lemon Shawl
Pastel on Pastel Mat 48x34 cm
About a week and a lot of effort was spent on this portrait. I used layer upon layer of pastel pencils to create smooth skin textures. The goal was to create a life like portrait. It was a disappointing moment when I learned that it was rejected by Federation of British Artists for their upcoming Pastel Painters exhibition in London.I was in fact quite hopeful for it.
This is my second rejection from this body and now I don't feel like entering anymore.May be I don't have what they are looking for. A friend suggested that I visit the exhibition to see what kind of work gets selected; but I have my doubts - should I be painting what the judges like to see, or should I follow my heart? I don't know.


Sunday, October 22, 2017

Bailey

This one was my favourite, labour of love - you could say.There was a lot f dry brushing over the initial looser layer but the end result was satisfactory.Glad to say that it has found a home now!
Reference picture was courtesy Alexandra from Pixabay.
Watercolor on Arches Cold Pressed paper
12''x16''
SOLD
  

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Birds of Different Feathers

Orion
painted on 24/08/2017
Watercolor on Paper

Sharon the owl in pastels
Painted on 16/09/2017
Two owls in different styles and mediums ..first is my usual watercolor with a white background while the second one is on a dark colored Pastelmat .I had been experimenting more lately. just trying to find out what works best for me. 

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Blue Crab Acrylic Painting

Blue European Crab
16x12''
Acrylics on ampersand board
This is something new and unusual for me.Acrylics look lovely and vibrant but its a struggle trying to blend them;they dry too quickly.I tried an Ampersand board this time and it worked far better than a canvas.It was not a pain working on this crab at all- and I quite like the outcome.Hopefully, more to follow!


Monday, August 7, 2017

Olga _Tawny Owl in Watercolor/ White Horse

9''x12''
Olga the Tawny Owl
Watercolor on paper /25/07/2017
This one was painted in an expressive style ,but with some detail in its face. Texture,spills and spatters add energy and drama to the painting.


Bonny
8x8
Watercolor On Paper/26/07/2017
A watercolor sketch of a white horse with wispy hair and the loveliest of faces. Very loosely painted on best quality Arches paper; this portrait has a dream like feel to it.



Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Farm Animals

BILLY
10''x14''
21/07/2017
SOLD

"BLUEBELL"
14''x10''
20/07/2017
Both of these do seem a bit too purple...well, looks like I got carried away with a new Daniel Smith shade Lunar Violet..especially with Bluebell! I need to work a bit more with the color to get the hang of it.In the Donkey painting I have used Quinacridone Magenta (Daniel Smith) with French UM Blue and burnt orange. This Magenta is the richest color in my paint box..I love it. Add it to DS Moonglow or simply any blue of your choice to get brilliant shades of purple :)


Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Horse portrait in Watercolor

This is Jerry, a funny looking but beautiful horse painted in shades of gray and purple.I especially liked painting the hair!Wet in wet watercolor, with a little bit of salt on the muzzle; it was done on a block of Saunders Waterford.I did not feel the need to paint the background at all.He looks fine on his own,doesn't he?
12'' x 16''
Saunders Waterford cp Block
18/07/2017



Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Watercolors Elephant, Owl, Giraffe and More...

 July has been a busy month otherwise- with summer and visitors :) However I managed to paint a few of these beauties.

"Hello!"
10''14'' Watercolor on paper
15/07/2017
First time I tried a raised trunk and it came out rather well.

''Glenn" Great Horned Owl
10''x14''
Watercolor
11/07/2017
Love painting the owls, this one is no exception.Done very wet-in-wet, with a liberal use of salt.


''Tuffy''
10''14''
watercolor on paper
06/07/2017
He is cute and cuddly, painted in a bright shade of sienna.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Animals watercolor

Though it has been many weeks now since I came back from my visit to India; I only started painting about couple of weeks ago.Its hard to get back into the mode once you stop for whatever reason. But the good news is, the work is now in full flow! I have painted a few good ones and also sold some.
Here are s few that I did after I came back

Toren
12x9
SOLD

Raco
12x9

Bronze Bear
10x14

Caser
12x14
Perky Pearl
10x14
SOLD


Thursday, March 30, 2017

Brown Horse

Brown Baron
10'x14''
Painted on 30/03/2017
Bought a new watercolor block of Saunders Waterford recently but the colors turn out a bit dull --may be something wrong with the batch. I was unhappy with the dull looking colors on this one so I tried to restore this painting using colored pencils.Thankfully the process worked, and it looks much more presentable now.I haven't used colored pencils much, but it seems that these can be combined with watercolor.I hope you like it too.
Have a great weekend.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Misty the Elephant

I have always loved this style of painting, it involves instinct rather than planning. Not much emphasis on correct drawing or proportions, it comes straight from the heart!Hope you like it too.
Misty
10''x14''
Painted on 17/03/2017

Friday, March 17, 2017

Scarlet Horse

'Scarlet'
12''x16''
Saunders Waterford paper
17/03/2017
I am still in love with this rich, deep scarlet by Daniel Smith.In painting this horse I have used this pigment to its full strength, actually went a little further than I had planned.I hope this doesn't come out as too strong...?

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Purple King


Purple King
16''x12''
Painted on 11/03/2017
The base layer was painted very loose and wet.I let the colors have a free run, before going in with a fine brush to etch out the details.I hope it has turned out well!
Painted on Saunders Waterford Cold Pressed block.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

The Wren

Wallie the Wren
6''x'8''
Painted on 0/03/2017
It doesn't take me long to fall behind...my last post was more than two weeks ago.I have been painting regularly - did this little piece today after working for three days on a large commission involving a pair of lions.You know you love your art when you paint to take a break from painting!

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Zebra and the Donkey

Painted this cute donkey form an old picture that I took in a local farm.More use of my new deep scarlet , as you can see! It goes so well with the purple; doesn't it?

Donkey in a Barn 16''x12''
Painted on 17/02/2017

I do try to paint a zebra in black and white but it doesn't work and I always end up using a color.This time it was Deep Shadow Violet by Daniel Smith.I added Payne's Grey for darker areas.No black, after all.

Shadow Violet Zebra
12''x16''
Painted on 24/02/2017

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Purple Bunnies

SOLD

SOLD
Two cute little guys I painted recently..I believe it was an excuse to work with my new Daniel Smith Deep Scarlet;  it it was combined with  Dioxazine Purple..Love this combination!


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Monday, February 6, 2017

Rooster_Wild One

I have been busy with a few commissions lately, and with some big exhibitions coming up, time is flying.This one is from last month, a wild rooster with bright red crown.Loving the use of large sweeping strokes to paint the tail, may be the reason for painting so many roosters.

Wild One
A4
Jan 2017

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Alice

I am really into birds these days..especially roosters and hens.Working with some more salt texture in this one.Tails are much more fun, just load a large brush with dripping wet color and sweep across the paper!
Ms Alice
10''x14'' Saunders Waterford Paper
Painted on 01/02/2017

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Owl On Night Watch

This one was painted recently, an attempt to paint a subject complete with background..Usually I leave the background blank or with very minimal work. It was a toughie, painting dark around him and still keeping the edges soft but I enjoyed the job!


                                             Watercolor on Saunders Waterford Paper
                                                                       12''x16''
                                                          Painted on 19/01/2017

Sunday, January 29, 2017

At Dusk_ Elephant

A new painting in watercolor.Looks like this guy is off to his resting place as the night descends.
I have tried a slightly different technique here,extending the colors to the background--usually I leave the background mostly white or dappled...Well, results could have been better but at least its a start!
''At Dusk''
12''x 9''
Watercolor on Saunders Waterford Paper