Prelude to Kolu/navarathri

Pandemic has eased here in India. Restrictions to travel has also been lifted. But venturing out to buy dolls for this kolu/navarathri was not my idea. So, I decided to try my hand at making dolls using air dry clay. It was very interesting and equally challenging, considering that I had no knowledge of making dolls earlier. However, I learnt the nuances of handling air dry clay from the scratch. Thanks to YouTube. Then, the choice of dolls, costume and jewellery was entirely mine. The outcome was to my  satisfaction. Hence, I hope to make more dolls.   

Handmade dolls

Tender coconut vendor

Lady offering betel leaves and betel nuts

Radha Krishna

Flower vendor

                                     Lady draped in Iyer madisar
 

Self portrait

 This is my self-portrait painting done in oil on canvas. In fact, to see your own painting develop on a plain canvas is really interesting. I saw to that all the asymmetrical features of my face were included. This was difficult. It is easier to paint a more symmetrical face, as the outcome looks more beautiful.

Next is the use of colour. This was not that difficult as it is true like me. Anyway, I am satisfied that I could bring some life to such paintings. This was evident when I received some good compliments from most of the people at home. Some even suggested that I use it as my profile picture in many places including the books I write.

Clay pot seller

This is the scene in most parts of India during summer months, when pots are in high demand for storing water. The sellers of such pots are largely women. This painting is a composition of pots, ladies and sparrows. I have given a rustic touch to it by placing everything against a brick wall laced with creepers. Friendly sparrows in the foreground also adds some life to the painting. I have selected bright colours for the ladies attire to give extra clarity to the picture. On the whole it is a realistic rustic painting. The painting is in oil on canvas board.

Magpie Geese

Another painting in oil on canvas. These are magpie geese in a pond searching for food. They may look still from their reflection on the water, but are active indeed. I liked the black and white birds set against the green and blue background.

Bee eaters and berries

 

My son wanted me to do a colourful painting of some birds. Obviously, the choice was bee eaters as they have more than one colour in their plumage. Then how to make it colourful was my choice. So here it is. Another painting in oil on canvas. 

The bee eater is set against a colourful background, which is unusual as they are generally seen in flocks on trees without leaves or on the ground to have a mud bath. This painting may look little surrealistic, but it does enhance the feel of the painting, especially with some berries studded in between. It also presents the notion that these birds are attracted to fruits besides bees and insects.

Bamboo and rose ringed parrot

Another painting in oil on canvas board. Rose ringed parakeet is my favourite bird. This is widely present throughout South India. They can be seen in flocks on mango trees during the summer season. However, they like to keep themselves near green leaves and green tree tops like the coconut tree, where they build their nests.
I saw this bird near a bamboo shoot and its colour was completely camouflaged in the green leaves of the bamboo tree. Yet I  have made an attempt to capture this in my painting.

Fishing nets and back waters

This is a seascape painting in oil on canvas. This painting depicts the Chinese fishing net that dot the backwaters of Kerala. At sunset, this is a beautiful scene that one cannot miss. I am so impressed by the shimmering waters and the fishing nets that outline the sky and the waters. The reflection on water is of golden hue and dark blue or more colours. Hope I have captured all of them in this painting.

Roses for valentine's day

An oil painting on paper on the occasion of valentine's day.

Green Landscape

A simple painting in oil on paper. I wanted to do a painting of the rolling greens of a tea garden. When I set to paint this picture, I thought it should be an abstract as the colours were largely green and little confusing. However, as I progressed, it turned out a little in between the real and abstract.

Go with the flow

 This is an abstract painting in oil on canvas. When I started on this seascape I never knew how the outcome would be. My attempts at paintings abstracts have been different with every painting. Seascape is my favourite and I had no intention of spoiling it, so I just followed the flow of my mind. Finally I placed a surfer in the middle. The result was satisfactory for me.

My tryst with real people -II

Doing a painting of real people in your life is really tough. The painting should resemble the real people in every respect, otherwise you can expect some criticism. Keeping that in my mind I have painted a picture of my son and daughter-in-law by the beach. Take a look.

My tryst with real people

 

After a long gap I have started painting again. I wanted to do a painting of  real people in my life.

This time I have done a painting of my niece.

In the left side is a picture of my niece. The right side is her painting. The painting is in oil on paper.

Rustic beauty

Here is a painting to take you down the memory lane of backyard sights and sounds that is simply non-existent in the city.

This is an oil painting on canvas board.

Diyas for diwali

Diwali is a festival of lights. So make colourful diyas using your imagination. Here are some tips to convert the plain clay diyas available in the market into beautiful pieces.

You will require plain clay diyas, a box of fabric paint and a lot of imagination. Dab on the desired paint directly from the bottle without diluting it. Allow it to dry and apply another coat. You can also superimpose your designs on it.
Here I have used different colours on each diya to highlight its shape. Note: To one diya I have given basket design to its interior.
I would recommend the use of candles to light the diya instead of wick and oil.

Shades of green

Green bee eater is a beautifully coloured slender bird. It has one elongated tail that adds further beauty to it. It is also a photographer’s delight who capture them in frames.

I like this bird for its colour and often see them in flocks of two and three. During the monsoon season, you simply cannot miss them, when insects, wasps and dragonflies are dominant.

These birds have been my subjects for painting for a long time. Here is an oil painting on canvas board.

Trapeze artist

Oil on canvas board.

Two is company

Oil painting on canvas board.

Morning meeting

 

River terns cooling by the water. Oil on paper. 

Roses in my garden

This is a painting in oil on paper.

Twin roses

 This is a painting inspired by a photograph.

Top picture is a photograph. The bottom one is a painting in oil on paper.

(photo credit: ASG)