Chilika Explorations

About four months back I had made a trip to Chilika lake (again) with my family. We traveled on an open boat for about 3 hrs to reach a small island. The island had a small temple where people from the land came to offer prayers sometimes. We managed to cook our lunch on the boat which we devoured sitting under a tree in front of the temple. It was the migration season so birds from far away countries gave us company all the time. 

Among all this I was struck by the serenity of the majestic lake once again. After I returned for the last four months I have been trying to replicate the 'feel' on paper since then. I wont say I have been successful, but the journey has been good. Here are some of the works that came out of this journey.

Chilika Explorations - XI

20 x 28 inch

Chilika Explorations - VII

21 x 14 inch

Chilika Explorations - X

10 x 14 inch

Chilika Explorations - II

21 x 14 inch

Few WC sketches

The final final one

Okay here is the final painting of the Chilika Stills series. My last painting in this series was the final one when it was painted. But I thought I just might do one more. My initial composition was a vertical one and consisted of only the left side of the painting. But I thought that would be too obvious a composition and hence I did this horizontal composition with more of the water on the right. Had to add those buoys to lead the eye into the painting. Whether it worked or not I dont know. But I am glad that I tried it.

By doing this series and reflecting on it I found that I tend to become a bit tight when there are not much of free shapes to play around. I got to keep this in mind when I am painting from now onwards. Hopefully it will make me a better painter.
 

Title : Chilika Stills - V

Size : 15 x 22 inch

Medium : Watercolor on paper

By the way my 2 day group show at Aliiance Francaise went off very well. It was well atteneded and my work was appreciated.

And here is a plein air painting I did yesterday at Tipu's summer palace here in Bangalore. It is a small palace made completely of teak wood. I found that there was a good play of light and shadow on the side wall of the palace than any other place. So I painted that. Though it does not reveal anything much about the palace, I think this was a good subject. Or at least I painted what attracted me.

Signing off now. Wishing you all a great week ahead.

Plein air @ Tipu's Summer palace, Bangalore - 05th Feb, 2012

Size : 15 x 22 inch

Medium : Watercolor on paper

Come with me

Title - Come with me
Size - 16 x 22 inch
Medium - Watercolor on paper

Hear my cries, hear my call
Lend me your ears, see my fall
See my errors, know my faults
Time halts, see my loss

Come with me

Bye bye 2010

I guess this will be my last post for this year. Both these paintings are done from the photos I took in Goa. First one is on a normal watercolor sheet while the second one is on the sheet I have been using for last two of my posts.

The biggest achievement for me this year has been getting the experience of more than 100 paintings. And I would like to thank all of you once again for everything.

Wish you all a very happy Christmas and a great 2011.

Title - On the way to Arpora
Size - 14 x 10 inch
Medium - Watercolor on paper

Title - Staying home today (too/two)
Size - 22 x 28 inch
Medium - Watercolor on paper

Escape - II

This painting of mine reminded me a little bit of the Lord of the rings. But I thought the water was not as it would be in the Shire. There would be a a gentle breeze causing smooth ripples on the greenish water which would then reflect the golden sunlight to create a magical ambiance. So I thought of redoing the painting.

Though this did not come anywhere near what I imagined still it looked good to me. I hope you enjoy it too. By the way I have one last ticket to the Shire left. Anybody game? :)

Title - Escape - II
Size - 21 x 14 inch
Medium - Watercolor on paper

Detour

A little detour from portraits that I was trying out. Actually this is a second level of detour so to say. Landscapes -> Portraits -> Landscapes. LOL.

After a very long gap I met up with PC to paint. Enjoyed good food cooked by his parents and wife and painting with him. The reference picture was originally on a calendar. It was great to be painting landscapes again. It gives much more freedom you see.

Title - Escape
Size - 15 x 22 inch
Medium - Watercolor on paper