The watercolor wash technique

Watercolor wash technique is one of the most basic watercolor techniques. But still most people painting in watercolor do not get it right. That results in muddy paintings. Though it seems like a difficult technique its actually very easy. I have done a blog post on the same on my blog. It also includes two instruction videos. So check it out and do let me know about it.

Everything you always wanted to know about Watercolor Paper

Hopefully that catchy title worked. :)

Anyway I wrote a post on watercolor paper sometime back in my blog. I thought of sharing it here. I have put down everything that I know on watercolor paper and hopefully it helps. 

Do share if you find it useful.

http://prabalmallick.net/blog/watercolour-paper/

Have a good day.

Moved my Blog

Hi there. As the title of this post says, I have indeed moved to my official page for blogging. I have started blogging a little more seriously now. This blog is not only for penning down my thought on art, life and watercolor, it is also for helping people with watercolor. So I have started writing on stuff that would help not only beginners, but also people who have experience with watercolor.

My previous post was on helping people begin with watercolor in the right direction. And my new post is on everything that you wanted to know about watercolor paper. In future I'll be posting about equipment, supplies, techniques, WIPS etc. And if you want me to write on any particular subject do let me know.

When you go to my new blog, a pop up would come up asking you to subscribe to my newsletter. In case you want to get regular updates on the posts I make, don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter.

That's all I had for now. See you at my new blog page.

Getting started with Watercolor

Though I paint in watercolor now most people are surprised to know that I actually started off with opaque mediums like oils and gouache early in my life. transparent Watercolor medium was always a mystery for me. Though I was drawn to the transparent medium and was always itching to work with it, I did not know where to start. In fact when I did my first watercolor it was so bad that I almost gave up. It took a little perseverance and curiosity to learn which kept me going. And now watercolor is something that I can not do without.

Often I am asked this question on how to paint in watercolors or how to begin with watercolors. This makes me go back to the time when I had these questions for which I found the answers in the hard way. So i thought of putting down a short write up on how to begin with watercolors.

I hope it helps.

Capturing Toronto

I am not sure how, but somehow I completely forgot about making this post. I would have done it about 50 days back had this not completely slipped out my mind. After all this was the first time I was painting outside India and that too the summer landscapes of Toronto. Summers are the best time to be in Toronto. Everyone is out enjoying the sun and the warm weather after the tough winters. Hence there is a buzz all around. I was there for a month and went out painting at every opportunity I could find. 

Here are some of the works I did and I immensely enjoyed doing these. And to add icing on the cake I happened to meet up a few artists just by pure chance. It was a joy to interact with them in that short time. I really cant wait to get back there and paint again. 

p.s The beer in Toronto was great too.

En Plein Air at St Lawrence Market

En Plein Air at Distillery District

En Plein Air at Harbour Front

En Plein Air at High Park

En Plein Air at Queen's Park

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

Double Delight

This year has started with a bang. 2 of my works got selected for two of the most prestigious annual shows of India. Namely the annual shows of Art Society of India and Bombay Art Society. The exhibition for Art Society has already been wrapped up. The Bombay Art Society show starts on 23rd Feb at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai and will be on till 29th Feb.

Working Class of the Temple City

21 x 14

Selected for Art Society Of India

Working Class Series - V

21 x 14

Selected for Bombay Art Society

A little piece of Goan beaches

I spent the last 5 days of 2015 lazing around in Goa and soaking up the sun in its amazing beaches. Was lucky to manage few works while lying on the beach bed. Hope you enjoy these.

En Plein Air at Aswem Beach, 29 Dec, 2015

9 x 12 inch

 En Plein Air at Baga Beach, 30 Dec, 2015

9 x 12 inch

En Plein Air at Aswem Beach, 31 Dec, 2015

9 x 12 inch

Quick sketch on Aswem beach

Arise O Son of Kunti

Maj Somnath Sharma grew up listening to stories from Bhagvad Geeta from his grand father and was inspired to become a soldier. Little did anyone know then that eventually he will be an example of courage and determination and a source of inspiration for generations to come. 

He came from a family of soldiers and doctors and did his schooling at the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College (Now Rashtriya Indian Military College). Later he joined the Royal Military Academy and then was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment (later 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment) of the Indian Army. The last battle that he fought was the battle of Badgam to defend the Kashmir valley. 

Under heavy fire and outnumbered seven to one, he urged his company to fight bravely, often exposing himself to danger as he ran from post to post. Despite the forward two platoons falling, Sharma desperately clung to his position with the depth platoon.

While he was busy fighting the enemy, a mortar shell exploded on the ammunition near him. His last message to Brigade HQ received a few moments before he was killed was

"The enemies is only 50 yards from us. We are hopelessly outnumbered. I will not withdraw one inch but fight to the last man last round." (from Wikipedia) 

When he was martyred in battle of Badgam a copy of Geeta was recovered from his pocket. Posthumously he was awarded the very first Param Vir Chakra, the highest gallantry award of India.

This painting was done during Sanskar Bharati youth artist camp in Mumbai (24 Dec to 27 Dec 2015). The challenge was to create a 2x3 ft painting in acrylic depicting the childhood story of a famous personality which will serve as an inspiration for young generation. The painting had to be created completely from imagination without the help of any references. This was really a heavy challenge attempting which gave a huge amount of learning. And a big thank you to Kamath Vasudeo sir without whose guidance I would have been completely lost. Also thanks to Sanskar Bharati for selecting me for the camp. It was great to meet artists from all over India and learn from them.