Historic buildings of architectural importance usually have such a scale and character that the sense of place of being there becomes imprinted in our memory. I wanted to paint this Rijks museum moment of outdoor light brightening up the structure inside.
Tag Archives: Watercolor
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!
Problem with purples
Blue and purple flowers when located in shade or under cloudy skies have been difficult to paint for me. I remember once spending a lot of time on purple irises without a desired outcome. When I saw a shrub totally full of purple flowers last week, I decided to give it a try again. IContinue reading “Problem with purples”
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”
Softer and Subdued
Many of my paintings use intense colors. It is my natural tendency. This time though I intentionally went for a softer look with a fast turnover. Another aim was to make use of rather earthy pigments. Overall, it was a smaller painting but I did get the result I wanted.
Chilled Inside and Out
In front of the majestic grandeur of the snow capped mountains we become thirsty eyed for more. Refreshing peace lingers in our mind. On top of that, if our hunger and thirst of the stomach kind is quenched, what more do we need?
Backyard that’s far away!
You are aware that the giant is there. Most of the times when you look for it, it is behind the clouds. And suddenly when you look in your backyard one day, it is totally visible. You feel the scale. It looks much closer; and yet it is at least 100 miles away!
Bygone Eras
She caught my attention right away. Among the numerous sculptures carved during the Ganga dynasty of 13th CE India. Every sculpture was part of the royalty scene. This one though must have meant to serve the decoration around the royalty. Almost an advertisement of some sort.
Vantage Point
I stopped myself before I over-painted. It was my 3rd try. I had felt a compulsion to try this vantage point in watercolors. It worked a lot better when I stopped glazing over.
Borrowed charm
It is always the mix of geometric patterns and colors of artificial lights that’s captivating to the eye. It always casts a spell on me. This Urban Glitz. These days its there still; but now all empty. Wondering if it is going to be repurposed for something else in the future….
Achieving the sweet balance
I am not there yet. For the most part, I do get the mood of the painting right. I have got it in this one all right. I need all elements though. Finesse with washes and getting the EXACT intensity of color at first go. I will be keeping at it surely.
Unconventional Landscape
One smooth pink mountain; another one quite rugged and brown right next to it. Grass of unrecognizable colors, and fan palms growing in the canyon. The landscape is far from conventional at Palm Springs, CA. Its unsettling to grasp and to paint as well.
Afternoon Glow
My painting process changed for this one. This time around I started with the ‘effect’ I wanted to paint : Glow of the light all around! Then I searched for the subject. Then I looked for the perfect moment to click a photo. I then went to my easel to paint.
Stillness at Dawn
Delta is a place where a river meets the sea. I happened to be awake to see the Sunrise at Puri delta and I was mesmerized by the stillness of the moment. There was no wind but just a slow flow of the river into the serene sea that was starting to glow with theContinue reading “Stillness at Dawn”
Longing for Summer
While enjoying the summer season it is hard to imagine winter. But in the northern regions, when the winter seems endless, we feel such a longing for summer. I experienced that longing on one such late winter morning. The sun was shining, but it was still so cold!
Two color study
Just two color study I had been meaning to paint. Haze in the afternoon is made striking with watercolors. I love this medium!
Tranquil Grazing
A place that’s calming either outdoors or indoors. What else could it be but an expansive or remote pasture? After all, herding was a profession of many spiritually advanced beings who have walked on this earth including Krishna and Jesus. This tranquility is very attractive. The least I can do is try to paint suchContinue reading “Tranquil Grazing”
Abstract + Self Portrait
Facebook challenge topic by NWWS for the Day 4 of 14 was ‘Abstract Self Portrait. I was so excited to take this on! But I soon realized it was the most difficult challenge so far. I had never dabbled into a creating a large abstract piece. On top of that, a self portrait! It tookContinue reading “Abstract + Self Portrait”
Night Lights Appeal
Urban lights at night are always attractive to me. They bring out a certain mood. I love painting these type of scenes. This was done with less precision than I would like, with more last minute decisions. But the effect still came out as expected.
Historic Figure
Imagining how a Rajah would look sitting on a throne was a challenge when I painted this figurative of Shivaji Rajah who was a 17th century Maratha ruler in India. I had only a few web references to go by. Having an adoration towards this Rajah helped.
Natural and Artificial Light
I have been wanting to paint a scene of a dawn I had captured on my camera 6 years ago. I finally had a courage to paint a scene that depicts both; the natural and an artificial light. I had to think of everything in detail for this one. I planned what values will goContinue reading “Natural and Artificial Light”
Large Foreground
Yesterday I decided to paint this vista which shows a large foreground area. I decided to keep a focus on the horizon and that worked. Our eyes move to the water ultimately even though there are reds and even though the sky and water are both blue.
Complement Study
I just realized today while painting that the shadows can be painted warm and cooler too. I had always thought they were painted with cooler colors. But noticing this nuance when I changed the top layer with warm brown around the focus area in this study and I was pleased!
Smitten By Watercolors 