Amused

Started out as a portrait of my nephew, but I hurried up the drawing and he ended up looking like someone else! I am treating it as a practice drawing now.Experimented with darker background.
watercolor on paper, 12"x9"

Happy and Carefree

A little girl happily throwing pebbles in the sea- one from my archive. It was having this image for a long time, about a year, since I last visited Brighton's pebble beach in UK. It was a cloudy day, no sunshine at all! But this little girl was thoroughly enjoying her day out, oblivious to the weather - while we adults fretted and complained about how bad it was! Teaches us something?!
waterclor on paper 22"x15"

Red, Green and Violet

In my opinion, its some variety of coleus plant.The one that I am having at my home is red with narrow green edges.This one is more green.But one thing is for sure, I love this plant! It has most beautiful leaves I have ever seen.
This is perhaps my first serious attempt at leaves, and it was intimidating..Leaves are tough creatures to handle and I am yet to be friends wih them:)
I was contemplating whether it was good enough to post, than I decided to leave the judgement to you!
Leaves, Watercolor on paper 22"x15"

White Rose in Pencil

The rose is beautiful in any form, so I though it would look good in pencil drawing,too! Started this drawing about two months ago, than abandoned it halfway (too much work, and my patience was thinning!) But finally decided to push it - and here it is!The background has multiple layers of grapic pencils, so that the flower stands out.Pencil art is a lot of hard work and I am finding it more and more tough to handle since I started watercolors--as watercolors are instantly gratifying .
.....Anyway, pencil drawing has its own charm, and like a mother of two, I can't really say which one is my favourite:) I can't recall how many hours were spent on this piece- may be 20 or more!
16"x12" Graphic pencil on cartrige paper

Sun and Surf

Trying out different paper...it has been quite sometime since  I painted and I am finding it hard to get a grip!Just a quick sketch.

Daddy's Day Out

Based on a photo of a friend enjoying a sunny day with his daughter, at Lake District, UK.
Watercolors 15"x22"

A Day's Wait

I am not sure if this one qualifies as 'self portrait', but its me!The photo was taken by my husband when I wasn't looking- but  liked it when I saw it later.I have tried my hand at bigger workspace this time and it wasn't so hard, after all!
Watercolors on waterford coldpressed 300 gsm  22"x15"

Blazing

These Poppies were swaying majestically in our neighbourhood park...couldn't resist them, even though I am not a natural with flowers.
Watercolor on cold pressed paper 16"x12"

Trying to get back into the groove...this is a quick sketch of a mother with a baby on her hip and a toddler alongside...looked kind of sweet trio!
lewatercolor on hot pressed paper 9"x12"

Sea Turtle

After yellow, I have turned to blue.I was trying to find new subjects, and a sea turtle in its aqua habitat looked like a good subject!..I have used white oil pastel to keep all those lines on his skin..it also gives some texture to it.
Due to some family obligations, I haven't been painting much lately...and the trend will continue for some more time; but I sure miss you all, and will be back as soon as I can manage!Till then , Happy Painting!

Watercolor on paper, 16"x12"

Spring is Here!

The most cherished season of all, The Spring is here finally.Its also the shortest- it will last till April only.The flowers are blooming everywhere, so a sunflower looked like an appropriate subject.I haven't painted a sunflower before...it used to look so intimidating with its  double row of petals and almost perfect looks!I am still in awe of this particular flower.

Leisure

I have been studying some great watercolorists in past few days...Nick Simmons , Thomas Schaller and Anders Andersson being few of them .There is a long list still pending, I have so much to learn!

I was impressed by the big, bold and imaginative watercolors by Nick, while Anders dazzled me with his control over his wide brushes even on tiny pieces of paper! Thomas is considered the 'architect of watercolors' - he paints the building beautifully. Even if I find myself lacking in this department, I will continue to study..someday I might be able to paint whatever I want, not just be a portrait painter!

I tried this wet on wet- all wet -style myself, ( disastrous results!But its a beginning at least)...I am beginning to believe that waterolors should lose some inhibitions and fly free!They are meant to be.

This street dog was sprawled leisurely on the stoned floor of Ganga Ghat ( Banks of Ganges).Looked like a good subject.I spoiled the water and the bridge in background ,though!Couldn't get the desired results. There is always 'next time'!

Portrait of a Friend

This is a watercolor portrait of a dear friend Fred Walsh, a resident of Canada; whom I met on blogosphere last year.Fred is a talented guy - he sings very well, and is a great guitarist as well as a wonderful wild life photographer! You an see his photos on his blog --http://www.fredwalshphotos.blogspot.com/

The Secret is Out!

For all those who participated in this ' secret challenge', here is my take on Karin Jurick's portrait.For those who didn't, this was the brainwave of Jill Polsby, to have Karin's portrait painted by more than a hundred artists ...you can read more about it on her blog http://jillpolsby.blogspot.com/ I am not very good at writing lengthy reviews!
All I can say is that its a real treat for eyes to watch so many portraits, so many styles, so many visions of different artist of a single subject; on the same page.
Click on this link to have a look- Picasa Album

Kids and Pets

You can see this on James Parker's blog 'Windows to the Words Art', too. Its a submission for the current month's theme- 'Kids and their pets- matching sets'! It was tough painting the dog in watercolors , as it had very rich and dark chocolate hue...so I used dry brush technique on him...dry on wet, dry on dry, whatever worked!Little girl had a clean, fair skin so I didn't put too many washes on her.In fact she now looks a bit pale in comparison to her pet!
James liked it :) and I hope you do the same!
Thank you for you good wishes, I am still sore but hope to be alright soon. ( I did this painting in bed!)

Just Colors

I am painting the flute player in oils now, started it today only. It will be a bit different from the watercolor one I presume. Meanwhile, posting this small work. I was testing the fluidity of various pigments and their merging pattern, and this image took shape. I added hookers green to create some negative shapes and it looks like a flower bush now:)

The Flute Player

One thing or another has been keeping me away from my art since last week...Did this painting today, determined to set the ball rolling again! Took me about one and half hour. I have used a little amount of white oil pastel color in his hair and beard to create texture.
Watercolor /mixed media on cold pressed 140 lb paper.

Praying

As everone of you is of opinion that I shouldn't meddle with this anymore, I respect your wishes and posting it again after just adding some darker shades to her!

Happy Days!

Watercolor study of a nine year old- my niece, actually- but I changed the color of hair and eyes to make her look..well; .global! She could be any child from any place on this planet. Just a happy child!
I am trying to minimise the use of pencil in my watercolors.This one had no drawing at all.
I just started with a brush.And my usual palette!
watercolor, 7"x 5"

DSDF Update- my portrait

This is my portrait painted by a fellow artist Linda Edwards , for the face off on Karin Jurick's blog 'Different Strokes from Different Folks'.That means, she is the bubbly lady I had painted earlier.I found it only yesterday on Karin's blog.I tried to contact Linda to thank her for this beautiful portrait, but couldn't do that as she hasn't updated her blog since 12 months ;neither was there any email address. But I want to say that she is an amazing artist and she has captured me so well , even without knowing me at all! I hope I find a way to reach her.