Sunday, September 11, 2011

Afternoon at Puri

Title - Afternoon at Puri
Size - 15 x 11 inch
Medium - Watercolor on Paper

Jagannath temple in Puri is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimages in India. The temple is really really huge and it looks really big even when seen from a good distance. The following piece is from wiki.

'The huge temple complex covers an area of over 400,000 square feet (37,000 m2), and is surrounded by a high fortified wall. It contains at least 120 temples and shrines. With its sculptural richness and fluidity of the Odia style of temple architecture, it is one of the most magnificent monuments of India. The main temple is a curvilinear temple and crowning the top is the 'srichakra' (a eight spoked wheel) of Vishnu. Also known as the "Nilachakra", it is made out of Ashtadhatu and is considered sacrosanct. Among the existing temples in Odisha, the temple of Shri Jagannath is the highest. The temple tower was built on a raised platform of stone and, rising to 214 feet (65 m) above the inner sanctum where the deities reside, dominates the surrounding landscape. The pyramidal roofs of the surrounding temples and adjoining halls, or mandapas, rise in steps toward the tower like a ridge of mountain peaks.
The main shrine is enclosed by a 20 feet (6.1 m) high wall. Another wall surrounds the main temple.'

So you can probably guess the enormity of the temple. Anyway I had done 3 sketches before this (One pencil and 2 watercolor) and was not very sure about doing the painting. And then I happened to watch a video clip of Joseph Zbucvik, where he says, just have faith and go for it. So at 11 at night I put my faith in Lord Jagannath and went for it. I finished it by 2 AM in the morning and yes at the end I was happy. By the way I was using Waterford paper for the first time and I liked it.

19 comments:

Kathy said...

Prabal...it turned out awesome!! Love the perspective and how you caught it with the lighter values of the buildings in the background. Then that white building...awesome. The people are like sprinkles of candy..just the right amount. I would definatey hang this on my wall :))

Lydie said...

You were right to throw you in! J Zbulvic experience is valuable. This paper seems to suit you, it is beautiful, this watercolor. Congratulations and thank you for the discovery of Puri

Sandra Busby said...

This is so wonderful Prabal! It is so boldly approached and such confidence is evident in your brushstrokes. Just fantastic! (and I like the birds too - Nice touch) :0)

gugun said...

lovely .. layers and layers and layers of beauty ..

Pat said...

Your faith was rewarded ! What a stunning watercolour! Love the play of light and dark and the perspective you've chosen. Excellent piece. xx

M R Anand said...

11pm to 2 am... the clip must have motivated you a lot. the light and shadows are superb!

Gary Keimig said...

Wow! Beautiful Prabal.

yasha said...

One of your best I would say.:)

جمال السيد said...

Wherever you turned in India there is magic. See how, this Indian painter, has caught the moment by its light and shadows. Really,It is a moment of "faith".

Kathy said...

Prabal...you are now keeping my hours to paint. Isn't that the greatest time of day...or should I say night. When I paint between those hours, I know my friends in India are up and painting, too :)))

hmuxo said...

You did an incredible job with this watercolor! Lovely details. If this is the way you paint at night...don't change your schedule!!

Carol Blackburn said...

Since everyone has already said it all, I'll just say I whole heartedly agree, it's fabulous Prabal.

Liana Yarckin said...

Prabal, your painting has reached a new level. Great brush strokes. I like what Sandra said, "painted with confidence."

Prabal said...

Kathy,
Do you have any empty spaces on your wall? LOL. By the way it looks like I am keeping your hours to paint. Kathy hours of watercolor painting. :)

Lydie,
Yes, Zbucvik experience was awesome. :)

Sandra,
Thank you lady. Actually when I was a kid those birds used to feature in all my paintings. Somehow I had forgotten them. But now they are back. :)

Prabal said...

Gugun, Pat, Sparrowhawk, Yasha
Thank you so much for the appreciation.

Gary,
Great to hear from you. Its been a while. :)

My friend from Yemen,
You are correct. Ultimately its the faith.

Prabal said...

Hilda,
I'll keep that in mind. As I said now I would be painting in Kathy hours of watercolor painting. :)

Carol,
Thank you so much. I am glad you liked it..

Liana,
I am really happy that you liked it. And thank you for your lovely comment.

Crystal Cook said...

Prabal I just love this. I am so glad you did it! It reminds me a lot of ALvaro Castagnet's work. Which is awesome.

Prabal said...

Crystal,
What an honor. But reality is that to paint like Alvaro it will take me probably another 50 years. :)

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

Prabal this is just lovely! Your atmospheric perspective is great and I second what Crystal says about it resembling Alvaro's work!