Of People and Places

  A piece of the Bhopal sky with pretty leaf shapes that I couldn't resist painting. It's good to look up and find such beauty :)

                                                        An evening at Shahpura Lake, Bhopal. Chasing after a sunset to capture the reflections. As the sun dipped, the water broke into a million pieces. There was a lovely orange glow that I just can't describe. My dry brush technique needs work - and I also need to rethink the colors I have used and the strength of the washes too - ideally, they ought to be much lighter. Speaking of dry brush here is a nice tutorial by Shibasaki san  This one is much more closer to the actual scene - but I think it lacks finesse. Not to mention the colors are all wrong. This one looks like Northern Lights :P Northern Lights in Bhopal lol.( Oh, the last two have been painted on this lovely forgiving paper called Baohong Watercolor Paper - seriously, anything you make on it turns out quite beautiful!! And the firs...

Biscuit is the color of a freshly-baked, hot out of the oven, melt-in-the mouth, well, biscuit. His two light-brown spots remind me of a warm, sun-kissed beach, and I can't help thinking that he's been given a perfect name by one of the kids in Thulir, Sittilingi.  A lion at heart, he seems fearless. You should see him walk on  the road, barking, growling, challenging all the (so far non - existent) ferocious dogs of the area. It's a disaster to go outside the campus because he will invariably follow you and create something of a doggie turf war, with you helplessly stuck in the middle.  A lion at heart, I said. Not so much in his actions. Because once he had barked out his challenge, and the other dogs responded with gusto and run like crazy to try and attack him, he would promptly shut up, go quiet as a mouse and conveniently skulk, hide and cower behind our legs!  Luckily for me ( A coward at heart, and in my actions) I had two friends armed with experience and st...

                       More sketches of sculptures! Stylized figures.                               Vijayanagara style sculpture, from the inscription that accompanied it - Have I told you I really love sketching things that are broken down and in ruins?  Now, what does that tell you about me :D  This was in the small lawn/courtyard kind of thing near the Government museum canteen,  no accompanying information This sculpture near the entrance, again, no information...messed up the proportions majorly! Link to more sketches -  Government Museum Sketching - 1  

A brook in Kathotiya forest, close to Bhopal. We catch a fantastic sunrise, have a packed breakfast of ( yes, you guessed it right!) poha and jalebi on the dry rocks near Kolar dam, the sweetish, slightly fishy whiff of algae giving it a different feel, spot many beautiful birds -  which my knowledgeable friend tells me are a hornbill, treepie ( I would say cutiepie),bee eater and Black Ibis. A family of wild boars tumble across the road from our bike. This is tiger country too. The last stretch that we visit is the most breathtaking of all. Wheat fields roll over the vast expanse and you get to see different shades of green with tiny shanties and homes that are too perfect for words! And in the backdrop , the mountains that are characteristic here, with sharp jagged edges, but flat tops. Thanks to my generous friends for including me in their plans :) It was really worth it. My only regret is that I missed the rock shelters and cave paintings famous in this area. ...

A lone boatman glides on his cool blue boat on the Madu River, Sri Lanka It had rained heavily in the morning so everything looked clean and fresh as we set out on the Madu river safari at  around 4 PM. The same river that was agitated by the relentless raindrops now sat serene and comfortable, waking up from an afternoon siesta. The Madu river or Maduganga is a lovely green. I rank it second in beauty ( first is Kali river in Dandeli .)   The river is surrounded by mangroves . A makeshift shack that sells tourists some snacks and fruits is balanced precariously on stilts in the middle of the water. A little girl waves at us from inside. On a fallen tree, we spot a monitor lizard, basking in the sun.

Belgaum has many beautiful houses dating back to colonial times. With gothic arches, linear shaped buildings, terracotta tiles, they express a serenity and calmness that is hard to find these days. Some people do continue to live in these houses whereas some have an abandoned look. These buildings have an interesting blend of British, Kannada and Marathi architecture.Most of these houses are built from stone, mud bricks with high ceilings, cast iron railings,ornate windows and roofs. I wish we had a heritage walk in Belgaum where we are guided by experts on the history of these buildings. I am sure it would be an enriching experience.

Sights of Colva beach at sunset.   As I plopped down in the soft sand, the sun hid in the soft clouds, for some reason, embarrassed.   This was an amazing sight. If it weren't for the horizon line, you couldn't make out where the land ended and the sky began.  The sea and solitude. This lonely figure stretched its arms to the sea as if wanting to be swallowed. The other three were blissfully unaware, secure in each other's company.   The sea speaks - of lost loves and longings, of broken dreams and shattered faith. Things we dare not express the waves imbibe and reveal. 

Painting trees is one of my most favorite things to do. I love foliage and can never get tired of painting or sketching their different hues. I have improved a bit on my technique, all thanks to Sadhu Aliyur sir and practice. Apart from the technique, I think what I learnt the most from Sadhu sir is his passion for work and his immense patience. He has a very unassuming, nonchalant air when painting - If the artwork is ruined, it is ruined ( and it is really ruined in watercolor!All those wasted sheets!) - now move on to the next sheet of paper and try it again. In the midst of all that practice and those failed attempts, once in a while you get something you're happy with. An effect that is brilliant maybe or light and shade that is captured correctly in your sketchbook.  And this 'once in a while', is enough to sustain an interest and make you want to paint more. I think Sadhu sir will paint at any time of the day ( or night) - all he would need is some paper, brush...