Cherry blossom is a difficult subject to paint. Just like the blossom, the lightest of the light layers are required. I tried my best and liked the result from Study 2 and Study 3 the most.
Category Archives: Transparent Watercolors
Faith and dedication
Can you take up a 7-day walking pilgrimage to a place of devotion without carrying any essential supplies and rely on the kindness of strangers to sustain during those 7 days? Well, this couple I met was doing that. They are the devotees. Even though they could afford the supplies, they asked for bhiksha (donation,Continue reading “Faith and dedication”
Every Fall
In the last 15 hours, two people suggested I paint a fall colors painting. I took it as a sign and stopped what I was already working on to paint this one this morning. It was a go with the flow (sort of literally with watercolors)! It has become a routine every fall, and nowContinue reading “Every Fall”
Boundless and limitless
It is sort of a longing that lives forever in my mind. The sight of a boundless meadow surrounded by limitless mountain ranges. Such a landscape is an assurance that something larger than life exists. I had to carefully use the color application technique in this one. Didn’t want to show everything flat for theContinue reading “Boundless and limitless”
Summer light
I had a leftover good quality watercolor paper strip. I knew I would use it one day. This subject was perfect for it. I made use of the long length and got to paint the light effect of the lingering sun before the summer sunset. The painting is just 13″ x 7″ on Arches.
Improving with the figurative style
I underwent a lot of thinking process and planning process before I painted this subject. By the second day of the painting process, I was exhausted. But I love the focus on the figures I have achieved. I am hoping the process will become easier for me down the road. The subject is about MarathiContinue reading “Improving with the figurative style”
Old Subject new twist
I have painted this same subject before. Now tried it with a twist, by painting it over gesso. The colors shine even more over gesso. The technique will need getting used to.
Beyond the horizon
After seeing the beauty of the Willapa Bay in Oregon, I just had to paint the magnificence of nature that my eyes couldn’t get enough of. In every direction I looked, I was reminded of the holy principle working on this earth.
Fall morning
It really looks unbelievable; but in my opinion, sometimes rather too red. Once in a while during mornings though the mountain takes on the shade of golden beige and then the red color of fall trees falls into place!
Take 3
I was not too happy with the results of the first one because the paper I randomly found and used for it turned out to be 20 year old. The take 2 had a great paper but I chose a wrong pigment. With take 3, I got the effect I wanted. Phew .. !
Spotlight
One early morning I woke up to this sight. While the rest of the house was still sleeping, my kitchen had only one spotlight! Lo and behold, it was on my favorite object of ritual! I couldn’t help but paint this scene 🙂
Alexandrina Magnolia
Alexandrina. Quite an exotic name! It’s a variety of Japanese Magnolia that stops me in my tracks every spring. It is a large flower that blooms upwards. Shaped a bit like a lotus, but this one blooms in so much abundance that the flowers blend with one another, and it is hard to focus onContinue reading “Alexandrina Magnolia”
Assurance
Darkness is all around, and increasing by the minute. You want to hold on to the daylight, but you know it’s not possible. Right at that moment you suddenly see this golden light. It feels like an assurance from the sun that he is going to be back tomorrow.
Continuum
This tiny 2′ x 3′ window that I have. Located much above the eye level, looking at this window is unavoidable throughout the day. Covid days gave me an opportunity and I kept a record. Nature offered a continuum of magnificent beauty. Weather changes, season changes, time changes, light direction changes, foliage changes – timeContinue reading “Continuum”
Sunbreak
There was an attractive blue color band in the otherwise winter grey sky. It came about because of a sunbreak in the clouds. A challenge to paint for sure. Plus, I was going to paint the sailboats one day anyway.
Sunlight, Mist, and Shadows
In winter, the mornings display a variety in the scene. Some days they wear a grey blanket and the other ones bring darkness of rain in the Pacific Northwest. When the sun does shine, the early morning is a beauty. The tree stubs and branches form a weaving pattern, the mist lingers, and the sunlightContinue reading “Sunlight, Mist, and Shadows”
Long Shadows of Winter
As the sun moves farther to the south, the shadows grow so long. I planned to capture this nuance. The above scene of a view from the hilltop added great drama to the sweeping shadows. Rather unintentional, but my washes for the sky too gave an extra touch to the drama I wanted to createContinue reading “Long Shadows of Winter”
Quick Application
(Note: Next few weeks I will be posting some quick ones. Other occupations have cut down my time for painting to 1/3rd!) Yellow trees in fall are quite mesmerizing. They stop me in my track when I go for walks. For quick application, I used wet on wet, faster strokes, no waiting in between washes.Continue reading “Quick Application”
Fall Splendor
The trees have stopped cooking food. But it is a visual candy-land to the viewers! I can’t help it but paint yet another of the fall scene. Although my preference is to paint yellow colors of fall, on my walk this week I saw these brilliant red trees lit up with sun and offered meContinue reading “Fall Splendor”
Painted Skies
By far, I find that painting skies using watercolors is a project full of highest nuances. How much water, how quickly and how efficiently controlled; and not to mention pigments, mixing, and layering variables. I try everything because I am learning. I wanted to get the dynamic sky at sunset I had seen. I mayContinue reading “Painted Skies”
Steep Gables
I absolutely love looking at the steep gable roofs constructed in the snowy regions of the northeast. Their size is bulkier than the structure itself. Funnily they become lighter at once when they have these little windows jutting out of them. Makes me want to sit by those windows and cuddle up with a book!
Under the maple in fall
I saw something magical. There was rain and mist in the air, and I was standing under the maple that had mosses growing on it. Usually, it would be pretty gloomy. But the little light that was falling made the ferns shine and the fall colors of maple gave the scene a dreamy look.
Secluded Habitat
Angle of light is everything with watercolors. It is easy when the subject of the painting is well lit. But when the light falls from the gaps formed by tall trees it is not easy to determine which are the shaded areas and which are the lit ones; so the final result was a mysteryContinue reading “Secluded Habitat”
Riot of bold colors
Croton is an ornamental plant that produces leaf colors that range from yellows to pinks and magenta reds and browns. And Crotons have them all in one when planted mixed! It was a great opportunity in this subject to make use of many colors. In retrospect, painting maybe just a couple of leaves would haveContinue reading “Riot of bold colors”
Smitten By Watercolors 