After a long thought process, I finally started with my first blog. Past 6-8 months were full of excitements for me as I realized a new "Me" in myself through the learning phases of different arts and crafts. Science and Art have no conflict. I am a devoted Scientist at work, but I do feel that there was always an "Artist" inside me, waiting to introduce herself in the mesmerizing world of infinite creativity. I can also leave some mark through my work, although still at the amateur phase.
Even though spending most of my weekly time on research and household activities, when it comes to giving some time and space for yourself, I have decided to choose arts and crafts. I realized it late, but better late than never!
I started learning paper quilling (a beautiful Italian craftwork), since November 2012, and that's when I slowly started to accomplish the "passionate me". I learned different forms of paper quilling, glass paintings, mural paintings, ceramic work, jewelry making and still the list goes on. Learning has no end. And if it is something related to art and creativity its just infinite.
So, after this big introduction I would like to start with my experiences and different steps of learning a Kerala style canvas Mural painting. I am not a professional painter, but yeah, I did have some training during my school days when along with other kids I also used to go to a painting school. I got my basic training on sketches and colors then, but after that a long break of 20 years to get re-started with painting again, and also first time on a canvas and I was super-excited.
I went to a hobby class near my home in Bangalore and learned two different types of mural art. The word "Mural" originally signifies any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. This was not in a wall, though, but a miniature mural painting on canvas. The canvas size was 16 X 20 inches and the colour used was "Artist Grade Acrylic Colours" (instead of the original vegetable colour that are used for mural paintings,largely seen on the temples in Kerala).
The learning phase was brilliant, starting from tracing technique, giving multiple coats of color "wash" to the canvas to the final finishing touch using waterproof drawing ink. I learned how to use acrylic colors on canvas, how to be patient while applying the several coats of washes (dilute colors) to it.!! Here are the steps as I understood:
1. Tracing the complete picture on canvas using pencil carbon (one needs to learn what to trace and what to not!)
2. Giving an orange outline to it and then giving an initial wash to the canvas to clean it up
3. Start with the yellow (yellow ochre) wash first. (multiple times, 4 coats look ok)
4. Then start with the orange washes and shadings (I learned what should be the ideal brushing technique for shading)
5. Then washes and shadings with other colors (mostly green and Prussian blue).
6. Drawing different patterns like "Ra-Ra-Ra" (mostly seen in the borders and the jewelry)
7. And finally applying the final outlining with the black ink, and the finishing touches that give it that "mesmerizing" look.
I felt that the patience and time that went for a single painting is worth doing, especially out of the reward one gets after the painting is complete !!
So here's come my NATARAJA ....that I learned in the class.
I felt so much overwhelmed that I kept looking into the picture again and again and started collecting different mural pictures from the internet to make my own library.
I started soon with my second attempt and here is a step by step progress with my next creation of mural painting (12 X 16 inches) on canvas, which I named as "LADY WITH A FLUTE"
1. Yellow washes were done
2. Orange washes and shadings are done
3. Greenwashes and shadings
4. The black outlining and making the "ra-ra-ra's"
And the FINAL one :)
Hope you enjoy this and there's more to come :)
With love
Rakhi
Even though spending most of my weekly time on research and household activities, when it comes to giving some time and space for yourself, I have decided to choose arts and crafts. I realized it late, but better late than never!
I started learning paper quilling (a beautiful Italian craftwork), since November 2012, and that's when I slowly started to accomplish the "passionate me". I learned different forms of paper quilling, glass paintings, mural paintings, ceramic work, jewelry making and still the list goes on. Learning has no end. And if it is something related to art and creativity its just infinite.
So, after this big introduction I would like to start with my experiences and different steps of learning a Kerala style canvas Mural painting. I am not a professional painter, but yeah, I did have some training during my school days when along with other kids I also used to go to a painting school. I got my basic training on sketches and colors then, but after that a long break of 20 years to get re-started with painting again, and also first time on a canvas and I was super-excited.
I went to a hobby class near my home in Bangalore and learned two different types of mural art. The word "Mural" originally signifies any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. This was not in a wall, though, but a miniature mural painting on canvas. The canvas size was 16 X 20 inches and the colour used was "Artist Grade Acrylic Colours" (instead of the original vegetable colour that are used for mural paintings,largely seen on the temples in Kerala).
The learning phase was brilliant, starting from tracing technique, giving multiple coats of color "wash" to the canvas to the final finishing touch using waterproof drawing ink. I learned how to use acrylic colors on canvas, how to be patient while applying the several coats of washes (dilute colors) to it.!! Here are the steps as I understood:
1. Tracing the complete picture on canvas using pencil carbon (one needs to learn what to trace and what to not!)
2. Giving an orange outline to it and then giving an initial wash to the canvas to clean it up
3. Start with the yellow (yellow ochre) wash first. (multiple times, 4 coats look ok)
4. Then start with the orange washes and shadings (I learned what should be the ideal brushing technique for shading)
5. Then washes and shadings with other colors (mostly green and Prussian blue).
6. Drawing different patterns like "Ra-Ra-Ra" (mostly seen in the borders and the jewelry)
7. And finally applying the final outlining with the black ink, and the finishing touches that give it that "mesmerizing" look.
I felt that the patience and time that went for a single painting is worth doing, especially out of the reward one gets after the painting is complete !!
So here's come my NATARAJA ....that I learned in the class.
I started soon with my second attempt and here is a step by step progress with my next creation of mural painting (12 X 16 inches) on canvas, which I named as "LADY WITH A FLUTE"
3. Greenwashes and shadings
Hope you enjoy this and there's more to come :)
With love
Rakhi
True! There is no conflict between art and science, they merge into one another seamlessly. We just have to realize that, and once we do, it's pure joy :)
ReplyDeleteNice post! Loved both the murals, will try on my own too. Keep blogging!
~ Maya
Im a self taught artist and Im dying to learn this form of art. I did a couple on my own as no one was willing to teach me. And I live abroad so going for classes is not possible as none are available here. I would be really grateful if you could teach me. What paints do you use and do you have a youtube of a work your doing or have done? Would you be able to do one? Since you have taken classes it will be really helpful!!!....
ReplyDeleteI am loving ittt :)
ReplyDelete