Portrait Study in watercolor

Page from my sketchbook 10"x 8"

I am thinking about converting this into a bigger painting.. maybe with some dramatic background.

This little sketch was based on a photo that I took on one of my trips to countryside in Hampshire.This elderly gentleman was admiring the garden while I admired his white hat and large sunglasses.The sunlight bouncing off his face makes him a good subject. It has been a long time since I have done a proper portrait and it kind of feels scary! 

Portrait Painting

I have been having a good time with painting fuzzy animals in loose watercolor but now its time to see if this will work for humans too. A study in similar style, first step in that direction. I might change a few things in future works, but its a start alright.

Have a great weekend, you all!

The Hermit _ Sold

18"x24"

Soft Pastels on Pastelmat

SOLD

I am happy to share this piece of news with you all.This Hermit from India is going to a UK household today.

Frankly speaking, I never thought it would...It is a very peculiar subject ;and not many people would buy portraits that are not their own/family.

But yesterday the CEO of my husband's firm asked to buy it when he saw it at 'FineArtAmerica' website.

So I think I sold my first portrait today which is not a commission! 

Watercolor Portrait Painting

12x9

I have been working on a few commissioned portraits in pastels for past few weeks...can't share them until they are delivered to the client.In the meantime I was itching to do one in watercolor.A new watercolor block had just arrived and what would have been a better way to break into it! This portrait was just to check out how the paper behaved- but I went on to 'complete' it..as I always do.

I like this new Hahnemule  Britannia matt paper, it took all my overworking kindly, texture is good.

I am beginning to like this brand.

 I would love to paint this on a bigger scale, she is so beautiful. It was painted from a picture taken way back; of a fellow artist in my life drawing session.

Portrait Painting

12x9

It has been a long time since I painted a portrait in watercolor.This was from a TV grab, I was watching a documentary on Namib Desert.It had a lot of dark skinned African people and elephants- both my favorites.I am also working on an elephant -also from a TV grab from same source.They looked so beautiful on screen- I hope I can bring out the magic on paper,too.

Last week had been counter productive- I worked very hard on a commissioned double portrait in pastels but in the end the client simply didn't like it... I chose to refund her deposit and keep the portrait.Rejection hurts but we have to take it in our stride.Well, another experience gained.

After the elephant I will start a pastel portrait of Lala, the friend who passed away recently.My husband wants to gift it to her father.So do I.

Pastel portraits

Pastel , 20x16

One of the commissions that I have been working on.I have not been able to visit any of you lately as it was too hectic.I was racing against time as the client wanted 4 multiple portraits as Christmas gifts for his family members in one week!I am happy to say that the job was completed in time,and  I was so glad when he called this morning to say that he absolutely loved the portraits.
Now I am sitting here with my cup of tea and laptop, checking on what everyone has been up to! I hope everyone is now done with Christmas shopping and cakes are being baked in kitchens!Sending my good wishes to all my blogger friends....Merry Christmas! 

Pencil and Charcoal Portrait

Pencil and Charcoal on Smooth Bristol Paper

14"x11"

This whole week has been rather unproductive.I have been painting but not the way I would like to.Threw away a lot of paintings! I feel there has to be a change..not really sure what I am going to do about it.

To my old friends...'Is it strange that my styles change with the medium? I am drawing realistically; and painting loose.Makes me feel weird.Is it wrong? Should I loosen up with pencil or tighten up with color?!

I may be offline for a few days and paint more...find out what is right for me.

Meanwhile, this is a sketch I did of my beloved niece Diya. She is my sister's daughter- a beautiful vivacious girl of 16,  I love her very much!

Another news--NITRAM charcoal featured me in their latest newsletter.I wish I could share the link but I will have to wait till they archive it on their site/blog.

Frizzy Hair

14"x10"

Graphite pencil and charcoal

Taking a break from pastels and going back to pencil for a while.This is also a revisited piece.Did it again, using different paper, different approach.Pencil work needs to be pretty realistic for it to be noticed...and it needs a LOT of patience to achieve that.I still lack that patience as it is in my nature to rush things ( ask my husband!) You would wonder why I draw,then? Well ,first, because I have to draw! Teaching myself to be patient would be another bonus.

Have a great weekend, you all!

White Cap_Pastel Portrait

Soft Pastel on toned paper

10"x 8"

It has been some time since I posted anything here.I hope to break the 'dry spell' with this painting in pastels.

For last few weeks, I have not been painting much.Mostly I have been reading ,studying other fine artists;trying to figure out my own art.The break seems to have done me good, I felt happy painting this piece, after a long time.I guess we all need a break to retrospect, at some point.

This is a man for northern part of India, picture taken by a friend.I made some changes, though!

Old Lady close up in Pastels

Soft Pastel pencils on buff colored paper

16"x12"

Another one in the pastel series..While "Devotee'' was detailed and took 5-6 hours to complete, this one was softer, with less color applied and more paper showing.I wanted to experiment with only white and brown pastel with paper providing mid tones-but I guess I painted it too large.Had to add some mid tones,too.This one took one sitting of about two hours.

Dreams_Pencil Portrait

The exhibit is still going on, I thank you all for your whole hearted support.To see some pics, CLICK HERE.
I haven't been sitting idle,though .I have drawn two more portraits, again the reference were provided by my photographer friend Vikram. Sharing first one here,You may find it a bit different than my previous works; the reason being a new,smoother paper resulting in smoother skin tones, and use of charcoal for darker areas.
I do hop,that you like the 'new look'!
Have a nice day.
Pencil and charcoal, A3 sized 200 gsm acid free cartridge paper.

Pretty Picture

I have been a little busy with life in past two weeks or so..not been able to paint at all. Posting here today is  a sketch I did sometime ago, and was not so happy about --(it didn't come out as I had wanted)
But it might inspire me to paint again, I hope!
Have  a Great Day!

Radiant

A watercolor study of a friend -- beautiful, young, and vivacious.The reference photo was taken recently at Bournemouth beach, UK.
Watercolor on cold pressed paper, 9"x12"

The Intense Gaze

I have been working on this sketch during past few days. I guess total time involved was around 10-12 hours.

This lady  happens to be a devotee who was busy reading her holy book at the 'Ganga Ghaat'( At the shores of the Ganges) in Rishikesh.She looked up when my husband clicked her picture but didn't mind much! Her gaze was intense and deep, so I was fascinated by her face.
Hope you enjoy this.
Pencil on paper, 16"x12"