This is what I painted today... its for a Wet Canvas challenge where the picture has to be painted in 2 hours. The reference is given by the host. I enjoyed doing it, but realise that i haven't quite got the look of it, as I want it. The perspective and depth of it hasn't come out as I wanted it to...the colours are nice. I realise I have a lot of practice to do. Having my own little painting corner, with the easel set up all the time has definitely helped! But a long way to go!!!

We went to the flower show this morning...7 am is a good time to visit, there are such few people.
Ever since I started painting, I seem to look more closely at things, consciously find shadows and lights, how colours flow and so on. Certainly the flower show was an amazing experience this morning. Such clear colours!
The orchids were is so many colours, but I thought these were perfect.


The poppies had translucent delicate leaves. I am definitely going to try and capture the colours and the pure transparency in paint!

I became 57 on the 1st....getting closer to 60 now! There is a feeling that I need to get things done and completed...I think for the first time there is a slight feeling of falability...if there is such a word. So I have planned to keep a journal and paint something into it everyday, record a thought for everyday...However today is the 3rd and I have been looking around for a journal, but no luck...so instead of putting off the painting have painted the lily on an ordinary bit of paper...and will use the blog as a journal till I can get or have made an art journal!
These were part of my birthday flowers! Not sure its a good painting, but I have got the colour. Need to practice so much more. I really have to get the depth right.
My problem is I'm impatient. I need to learn to wait between washes, and not want to finish in a hurry!The stemuns have become almost invisible! Will do another I think. I find it easier to paint from a reference photograph, when it comes to things like flowers. This was an attempt from real life!

painting white flowers

I belong to this amazing website called Wet Canvas, which is a space for artists of all kinds, professionals, amateurs, occasional painters, from all over the world and who use every kind of medium: photographs, oils, pencils, crayons and so on...It has been an amazing experience belonging to this group of people...there is so much generosity in the way they help other artists and critique your pieces..in actual fact I have learnt more from these friends then I did in my class!!!

There is a system of a monthly challenge, where you are given a series of reference pictures from which you choose one and then post it for comments. Its not a competition, but a challenge with yourself.... its amazing how much I have learnt by seeing how different artists view and paint the same things! This is a picture I submitted for a challenge which was looking at ways to paint white flowers! Its not the best, as I feel I need to work a lot more on catching perspective and depth! But then I am learning all the time!! I have converted a corner of the TV room as my 'painting space', so hope to be more regular in practicing!

Charcoal again - Trees at Tolly

Viveck practiced golf at the Tolly, while I sat trying to understand all I had read about 'value' and the 'colour wheel' and discussed with Naffy, whose advice is to not try and spend too much time on the theory, but just practice and 'play around' with my water colours!! So since I hadnt brought the watercolours, decided to 'play around' with the charcoal instead! Have picked up a piece of charcoal after a very long time and am pleased with the effect. I think its happened today because I love trees and find charcoal a terrific medium to capture the grandeur, the lights and shadows, the moods.

Starting the New Year

We are into the New Year! Its a time for me to reflect on all thats gone by and make plans for the coming year. Its a funny sort of time too as I seem to get a lot more reflective at the end of the year and feelings are mixed. At one level I am filled with some regret when I look back on all the things I had thought I would do, friends I would connect with, all my little projects I would finish but have not managed to yet, and at another level the excitement and anticipation of a fresh new year to start with new thoughts and new resolutions! However all in all, it has been an exciting year though, Tash and Suj have got married, we have travelled a lot and a prsonal triumph at being able to climb up to Roopkund! VAANI too seems to be getting sorted...so it is with gratitude and thankfulness that I start this New Year
Am going to convert this blog into a more personal one where I can write my thoughts and musings...

The Boat People in Cambodia

I have been itching to paint since I came into Phnom Penh a week ago....but just haven't had the time as there has been so much work. So I decided to take a few hours off today...and this is the result!! Actually I finished the drawing on Sunday and just did a basic wash....then just had to finish it today. I have used a photograph for the reference, besides a couple of sketches. I have only just begun to see the value of doing a small sketch, even though there is a photograph...the sketch certainly helps you to remember what you saw, especially with regards to light and shade.
Its a great country for a visit, and many images one can paint....but like India, there is also so much poverty, and so little that people subsist on!