My experiments with colours

"WATCHING OVER MY TERRITORY"

2016-04-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

Most of the time, I get the first spark of inspiration for my paintings from a picture or scene which can initiate an immediate emotional connection with me- aesthetically or ideologically. For the painting titled 'Watching Over My Territory', I got that instantaneous spark when I saw one of Seema Suresh's photographs. Seema Suresh Neelambarimohan is an eminent wild life photojournalist in Kerala. I follow her works enthusiastically through social media. She has a wide collection of photographs of birds. The picture that inspired this painting is of a 'Brahminy Kite' sitting on a broken wooden post.

This picture caught my attention because of the title Seema had given it. She named it 'Nireekshanam', which means observation. I felt an interesting connection between the bird's solitude and the title. I decided to translate that emotion onto my canvas, but in a different terrain.

Being an expat in the UAE, what else can be more appropriate than an Arabian Falcon, contemplating its solitude in the desert wilderness. I used different pictures as references in order to get the composition right. The absence of vegitation emphasises the inhospitable environment and the barrenness of the desert.

These are few pictures of the painting progress.

" Look into my eyes and hear what I am not saying,

for my eyes speaks louder than my voice ever will."

The wild beauty of red sand dunes, the golden reflection of sunlight on the dunes, the sky which is preparing to greet stars as her night's companion, and the bird who is the symbol of courage and hope; everything makes the scene magical and beautiful.

Yes, he is watching .......

COURAGE TO IMPROVISE - Broaden Your Boundaries

2015-10-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

There is always a feel- good factor about revamping your paintings; improvising and giving an extra dash of color that suddenly changes the way you have looked at it for years. Sure you have your limitations as an artist, but i would simply consider it as an exercise to broaden our creative senses. We never know what we might end up with.

The image you see above , is a painting I completed almost twenty years ago. It hung on the brick wall of my home back in kerala. Vacation time was around the corner and my family and I went on our yearly visit to our native. Seeing this painting hung in the living room of my house, I could feel my creative senses broadening. So many changes could be made to make it look a lot better. I asked my mother. After showing slight hesitation , she agreed on a condition that I bring it back on the next visit.

My reference for this particular painting was a wall calendar. The two little birds amused me in some weird way. At that point of time, I never realized that learning and reading up on subjects mattered while painting. I gave the birds colors of my choice; used up my freedom. (You may ask me anything regarding my techniques, but nothing about the species of the bird or flowers).

I started working on my 20 year old painting. I didn't see the need to change the way the birds looked. I left it as it was. What I did do was add more leaves and stems to the foliage to better the structure of the image. I made the two branches more prominent. I think you would agree that it did give a good composition to the painting. I used up the negative space by adding some sky there. ( Negative Space, speaking in artistic terms, refers to the space around and between the subject(s) of an image).

I am just glad that I could do justice to this painting even if it was after 20 years; extending the creative boundary within the limitations.

MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT USING A PALETTE KNIFE

2015-02-19T03:02:00.000-08:00

It was a random decision to give it a try with palette knife. A different approach from my usual style.

Category : Floral Portrait

Size : 45cm x 45cm x 1.5cm

Medium : Oil

"UPAJEEVANAM" ( Livelihood )

2015-02-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Category : Landscape
Title: Upajeevanam (livelihood)
Medium :Oil
Theme : womanhood
Size : 50cm x 40cm x 3cm
Done on gallery quality stretched canvas

For an artist, there is a story behind each painting. I came across this reference photo as it was tagged on one of my friends Facebook page. Something about the picture caught my eye. My first impression was that it would have been better if it was lush with greenery, but the barren land was the very reason it caught my attention. As with the progress of my thought process, the lady in the scene became the focus. I was profoundly caught by the confident posture of the lady. The way she walked, holding the staff and leading her cattle, as if she was the master of her trade. "She could be the only bread winner of her family" I thought.

I see lot of successful women and I admire their lives. But seldom do I think about the womanhood of the underprivileged women who works hard in the adverse circumstances but keep their self-respect and dignity. This painting is a tribute to those women to show my solidarity towards their womanhood.

This photograph was taken by Mr.Francis Joseph, a retired professor at Bharat Mata College - Thrikkakkara, Cochin - Kerala. He is a true nature lover, a passionate traveler and a photographer.
As he told me, this photograph was taken 15 years back with his old camera on one of his expedition through 'Attapadi' . (Attapadi Reserve Forest is a protected tribal area in Palakkad district of Kerala.) Thank you sir for graciously allowing me to use the photo.

"FIVE APPLES ON A SLAB"

2014-09-30T22:38:00.001-07:00

Category: Still Life
Medium: Oil
Size: 16 x 20"
Title: Five Apples on a Slab
Theme: Family
Status: Open for sale
Done on gallery quality canvas

Simple subject, simple theme and simple composition......

"WATER LILY POND"

2014-09-29T00:17:00.000-07:00

Medium: Oil
Category: Landscape
Title: Water Lily Pond
Size: 19"x 14"
Status: Open for sale
Done on gallery quality canvas.

Observe and study 'Old Masters' painting is an integral part of an Artist's growth. Claude Monet's, 'Water Lily series' is the inspiration behind this painting. I am a great admirer of his 'Impressionist style'. In this painting, I did the foreground and the middle ground in a realistic style and as it go farther, I tried to include the impressionistic style. Capturing the play of light and shadow on the water surface is the main element of this painting.

Hope this painting comes as a treat to your eyes. Feel free to express your feedback. Comments and suggestions are always appreciated.

"TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE"

2014-09-28T00:58:00.000-07:00

Title: Two Lemons On a Plate
Theme: Two are better than one
Medium: Oil
Category: Still Life
Size: 30 x 24 cm
Status: Sold

The attempt to do a 'top angle' composition ended up with a very satisfying note. I believe, this painting could successfully depicts the theme, 'two are better than one'. And I hope this work of art can transmit a pleasant and positive vibe to its viewers.

TAKING A RISK FOR THE SAKE OF LEARNING

2014-06-10T00:22:00.000-07:00

An artist must exercise critical observation, especially ones own work. The critical observation sometimes compels you to take risks. This is one of such risks which I have took. The one below was a painting I had done few years back, while I was a hobby painter. The reference picture was from a coffee tray and at that point of time I had done good justice to the reference picture.

But as the artistic observer grown within me, I found mistakes with composition and perspective; thus deciding to do some improvisation. Improvising an existing painting has limitations and risks. I started off with some brush-ups and deleted the unwanted elements. By giving a definite background and foreground, I tried to correct the perspective as below.

Though this was an exercise for personal study, I really would like to get your feedback. Feel free to convey your opinion and suggestions.

"THE DESERT ROSE" - A Study on Composition

2013-11-11T22:55:00.000-08:00

The term composition means putting together, with a conscious thought. In visual arts, particularly in still life painting, composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements in an aesthetically pleasing way. A great composition do not happen by accident, but it is attained and achieved by exercising certain compositional techniques.

This is one of my first attempt to create a painting with my own composition. There are numerous approaches or compositional techniques to be consider to create a good painting. These are the few compositional factors I relied on during the creative process.

1. A subject with a good light source.
2. Scale the drawing according to the subject.
3. Crop the image so that it can easily convey the story within the edges of the canvas.
4. Controlled and effective usage of lines so that our eyes naturally follow the lines.
5.Keep the balance of positive and negative spaces.
6. A conscious use of colour scheme.

Title: The Desert Rose
Medium: Oil
Category: Still life
Size: 40x30cm

"THE VIRGIN NATURE"

2013-10-30T03:37:00.000-07:00

Category : Landscape
Medium : Oil
Size : 45 X 60 cm
Status : Exhibited in Lots Gallery,Kochi.

Nature is always the cradle of an artist,which provides the inspiration to kindle creativity. It is indeed a beautiful experience to depict the beauty and serenity of nature on a canvas. I have titled this painting, "The Virgin Nature" because of it's unadulterated rawness.
Nature reveals the creative exuberance of 'God, the Creator' and that is what I have attempted to capture in this painting. From the serene valley down below, to the glorious mountain tops, He has most amazingly created them in all its splendour. Life gets hard for us at different points and it is God's creation that reminds and teaches us that we need his strength to grow beautifully.
This is a poem by Jane Eggleston, which I came across a few years back , which became the inspiration throughout the creative process.

It Is In The Valleys I Grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,

Full of sorrow, trouble and woe

It's then I have to remember

That it's in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top

And never experienced pain,

I would never appreciate God's love

And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn

And my growth is very slow,

Sometimes I need the mountain tops,

But it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord

And use my life each day

To share your love with others

And help them find their way.

Thank you for valleys, Lord

For this one thing I know

The mountain tops are glorious

But it's in the valleys I grow!

Jane Eggleston.

BEAUTY AT A PROXIMITY SERIES - The Magnolia Flower

2013-09-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

" A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever."

An attempt to capture the beauty of a Magnolia flower . It was a fulfilling learning experience. Though getting the depth and form with minimal colours was a challenge, it eventually offered moments of unadulterated pleasure. Hope this is a pleasant treat for your eyes. Your comments and advice is appreciated.

REMINISCENCE OF A TRANSITION

2013-09-16T04:39:00.001-07:00

Should I call it a transition or a transformation ? In whatever way I address it, it was indeed a delightful and memorable one. Though I am reluctant to call myself an "Artist", my passion is leading me to a horizon where I can dream to be one or I feel comfortable to promote myself to be an "Artist".
However, being a self taught artist, I have discovered that, being an artist is more than just indulging in the joy of creating art, but it is the harmony of creativity, passion, patience and perseverance.

As I am going to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of my blog "My Experiments With Colours", I have decided to explore the possibilities of the blogosphere and to extend my potential to the fullest. I am thankful for the support and encouragement I got through this blog. A special thanks to "Indibloggers",who have been a source of encouragement. I hope I can connect with you more through new posts and paintings.

BEAUTY AT A PROXIMITY SERIES - The Pink Rose

2013-06-26T01:17:00.000-07:00

SILK PAINTINGS II

2013-01-30T23:37:00.000-08:00

"THE LONELY BIRD"

2013-01-10T02:01:00.000-08:00

CREATIVITY IN ALLOWING YOURSELF TO MAKE MISTAKES.....

2012-04-25T01:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the most beautiful paintings are created from the biggest mistakes. Now the question is, "Will you allow yourself to do mistakes"? It is indeed frustrating and at some point you may loose your enthusiasm. But with perseverance and patience, you will succeed one day.

Since this blog does not have the intention to sell or market art, I can enjoy the freedom to express the art process, truthfully.

When the idea of doing a sequel painting struck me, I bought three identical stretched canvas very enthusiastically. As an artist, I planed ahead. I wanted to do an art piece which is unique and original. Since it was an experiment with gesso, I decided to do one at a time. Working with gesso was quite interesting. The result was also encouraging. Although the subject and colour scheme were all planned, while painting I ended up in an entirely different colour combination.

With a fairly satisfying result of my first piece, I started applying gesso on the next two canvases simultaneously, keeping the continuity of the subject in mind. But my inexperience in working with gesso added with the difference in consistency, which happened while mixing water, resulted in a bit disappointment. Being an optimist, I thought I can easily correct the differences while painting. But the challenges in front of me was more than I thought. Because of the gesso, the grooves got hardened fast and I couldn't do much alteration to get the continuity of lines.

Getting a harmonious gradation of colours was another challenge. The more I worked on it , the more I got stressed and frustrated.

grads

At last I decided to hang it on the wall.

But I must say, learning from mistakes is indeed a good experience. Because I believe , nobody can teach you the lessons, unless you allow yourself to learn from mistakes....

WHEN CREATIVITY COMES ALIVE- HOBBY IDEAS.

2012-04-02T01:36:00.001-07:00

SOME EXPERIMENTS WITH ACRYLIC GESSO

2012-03-01T03:32:00.001-08:00

Acrylic gesso is a modern art material, and is used as a primer for acrylics and oil painting. It also can be used as a base for three dimensional surface. Althoough it is generally believed to be acceptable, several painting texts such as ' The Painter's Handbook.' states that it is unwise to paint oils over acrylic gesso, because the oil paint will eventually delaminate from the acrylic gesso surface. Though this effect may not make itself manifest for several decades, the curators at famous museum do not permit to use oil over acrylic gesso.

IDENTIFY YOUR INSPIRATION

2012-02-29T00:17:00.001-08:00

What is your driving force? Are you painting with the inspiration you get from a scene or an emotion? Or is it because of your deep desire to learn and explore art? When you do painting as a hobby, you want to get inspire, you long for encouragements, you look for favorable circumstances. But when art becomes your passion, none of the above matters. You are free from all inhibitions. You are no more scared to make mistakes.

My experimentation with paintings comes from a natural passion for learning new painting techniques as well as trying different forms of art. A passion which gives me freedom to dabble and enjoy all categories of painting, from realistic Still life to mesmerizing Abstracts. As a novice artist, I am grasping firmly to whatever tips and techniques I can gets my hands on. With each new paintings, I am exposed to new insights as well as new challenges to overcome. And from each mistakes , I learn something new which push myself a little farther each day . As for the progress with my creativity, I am willing to say, "It could have been better if I did it that way." Or " I really should try it other way next time". Because I believe , " The only failure in life is failing to try".

THE FULFILLMENT OF A DESIRE

2012-02-12T03:41:00.003-08:00

Some years back, painting was nothing more than copying any picture, which pleases my eyes. I did paintings, just to decorate my walls. And I was quite contented with the appreciation from people who see those. When we are having a comfortable life, we tend to become complacent. And that complacency will eventually make us blind to lots of blessings in our life. But the spiritual journey with God helped me a lot in understanding and valuing the greatness of having a talent . It made me realize the fact that we are accountable for each and every talents and blessings we possess. And those thoughts challenged me to unearth the soul and passion for Art.

And as a good start, me together with a friend , got the opportunity to put a painting stall for our church's Harvest Festival. That was indeed an opportunity for us to show our gratitude to Lord through our talents. We could sell almost all the paintings and we are delighted that the fruit of our labour goes for charity. That served the purpose of giving glory to God for our talents, he has given us.

These are the paintings which I have put for sale.

Silk painting (sold)

Emotional Tides.
Oil on stretched canvas (sold)

The Rays Of Love.

Oil on stretched canvas. (sold)

The Harvest.

Oil on canvas board. (sold)

The Eucharist / The Epitome of love

Oil on canvas board. (sold)

A Wall Decor.

Oil on stretched canvas.

Silk Panting. (sold)

The Mediterranean Morning.
Oil on canvas board. (sold)

The Blossom At Night.

Oil on stretched canvas. (sold)

The Lady With A Rose.
Oil on canvas board.

SILK PAINTINGS I

2012-02-06T23:54:00.000-08:00

"THE RAYS OF LOVE"

2012-01-26T02:15:00.000-08:00

2012-01-26T02:09:00.000-08:00

"EMOTIONAL TIDES"

2012-01-26T02:06:00.000-08:00

This was really an experiment..

I started this painting with a theme in my mind , I wanted to portray the emotional struggles of human mind . As humans, we always have a tug of war between good and evil . I believe, it is the stream of good thoughts,which comes deep from our heart, gives brightness to our soul . I don't know to what extend I could justify the theme through this painting. I am giving the privilege to the viewers to judge me on that.

For this painting, I wanted to get some special textures and effects. This was attained by doing some experiments with acrylic gesso. And I am satisfied with the outcome.

"THE BLOSSOM AT NIGHT"

2012-01-26T01:12:00.000-08:00