The Big Change

Some of you must be wondering about my absence for such a long time. Its been more than three months I guess since I last posted. Thats because there has been a big change on my side.

After spending almost eleven years in Bangalore in the south of India I have now moved back to my hometown Bhubaneswar in the eastern coast of India. Its great to be back home. But I do miss all my artists friends from Bangalore, plein air sessions and never ending discussions on art and life with them.

I have taken some time to settle down here. My home studio is up. Its not as spacious as my Bangalore home studio, but its more organized now. I have started going out on outdoor sessions since a fews days too. So after a settling time of a couple of months I am finally back doing what I love most.

I have also been out of touch with all of you. Looking forward to catch up with what my fellow artists bloggers have been up to all this while. I just cant wait.

Plein air @ Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar - 27 Jul 2014

14 x 19 inch

Last of the Hampi series

I had to paint those temples if I was painting Hampi. I did a triptych (Officially my first one). I should have used warmer hues to stay true to the colors of the stones at Hampi. But I decided to go for the mood, which I could achieve in grays only. I had a choice between story telling and being true the physical appearance. As usual I chose the former.

I hope you enjoy these.

 

Triptych - Elements of Hampi : Earth I, II and III

24 x 12 inch each

Back to Hampi

Its back to Hampi again.

There were a few places and time in Hampi where I just got disconnected completely from my present world and was lost in the mysterious beauty of Hampi. I wanted to get that feeling in the paintings. So I deviated a little from my representational style and went more into a fantasy kind of style to see what can happen. And this is what happened. I hope you enjoy these.

Surreal Hampi I - Fields

10 x 14 inch

Surreal Hampi II - Vertigo

10 x 14 inch

Mysore Trip Post - VI

Date - 31st March 2014
Time - 4:30 PM

Mysore trip had ended. We were on our way back. I really did not want it to end. But all good things come to end anyway. Well thats what we thought. We took a detour to Bangalore University campus (which is about 15kms odd from Bangalore CBD) for a small break. And as the campus was nice we thought we could end our trip by sketching a little. As we were searching for a spot this coconut seller with his stack of coconuts caught my eye. I really loved the way light was creating a nice atmosphere around them. So immediately my paper and brushes were out.

We did not have much time as it was soon going to be dark. I was painting as fast as I could with leftover colors mostly and this was completed in 20 minutes only. And incidentally I liked it. 

So finally the trip ended with a piece that I liked. Waiting for the next trip now..

Plein air @ Bangalore University

10 x 14 inch

Mysore Trip Post - V

Date - 31st March
Time - 09 : 00 AM

It was our last day at Mysore and we were going to Chamundi hills to paint. The previous day evening we had made a quick trip to Chamundi hills to find a spot, where we could paint the next day as we did not want to waste time searching for a spot. And I had also managed to make a quick sketch, though most of it was done in dark as the sun seems to set too quickly on a hill.

When we reached Chamundi hills our spot was not quiet as good as it was the day before. The reason being the previous day we had seen the spot in afternoon sun light and today it was the morning sun. So now again we had to find a new place. After drving around for sometime we decided to settle down at this place, where we got a little shade and a decent enough view.

I usually paint quarter sheets outdoors, but Madhu encouraged me to go for half sheet and he passed a Langton half sheet to me. the scene was complex. the sun was rising fast. Not to mention the wind and on top of that half sheet. It was going to be difficult and it was. I struggled quiet a bit and soon the sun was beating down hard. We planned to return with unfinished works. Later in the studio I completed it. 

We were back in the hotel and after a little freshening up we were on our way back to Bangalore. Mysore trip had ended, but not with a satisfactory work.

To be continued............

En Plein Air at Chamundi Hills, Mysore 31st March 2014

14 x 21 inch

The sketch done in dark

Mysore Trip Post - IV

Date - 30 March
Time - 12:00 PM

After painting at St Philomena's Church the plan was to go to the most famous landmark in Mysore; Mysore Palace. At the gate we were informed that we need permission to paint inside the palace campus. So we went to the palace management office to get permission. After obtaining permission from the palace management office and security officer we finally found a spot and settled down to paint. And it was already mid day and pretty hot. Thankfully we found a well shaded place from where we could paint.

But the challenge of painting at this heritage location was far from over. What a difficult subject it was. It was just not getting simplified for a watercolor. Little thumbnails were also not helping. Nevertheless I decided to go ahead and paint and this is what I ended up with.

As a stand alone piece this is not really great. But considering the massive subject I had in front of me I think it is still a success in its own way.

En Plein Air at Mysore Palace

10 x 14 inch

Mysore Trip Post - III

Date - 30 March 2014

Time - 8:30 AM (approx)

So after a much eventful day 1 at Mysore our day 2 morning itinerary was decided. The plan was to paint at St Philomena's Church in the morning followed by Mysore Palace. In fact we had also decided the place where we would be sitting, so that we are in shade with a good view of the church. Its always good to explore a place a little to get an idea of which place will be good to paint from. It does save a lot of time and helps in painting peacefully.

As decided we landed up at St Philomena's church in the morning and settled down quickly. The sun light was perfect, the view was amazing and I enjoyed painting this.

The next place was Mysore palace. There were initial hiccups before we could paint there and it was one of the toughest subjects yet. But more on that in the next post. Have a great weekend.

En Plein Air at St Philomena's church, Mysore

14 x 10 inch