Natya - The Process

The process of painting is beautiful. I really like how my mind is constantly thinking of the painting until it is complete. There's always some debate or discussion going on in my head during this time. As mentioned earlier, our team was spinning off from our parent company and forming a new organisation. While parting, I was leaving back a few good friends I had at work. Amongst them, is Chandra, whom I have known for a long time. Our common interests and a similar sense of humour connects us almost immediately in spite of the long gaps between our reunions. So I did want to give him something special. Since he loves painting, adores Ganesha and is a passionate dancer, I choose this sketch of a dancing Ganesha created by my Guru.

 Sketching seems to be the easiest task for me. In half an hour I had my draft. 

Once the sketch was done, I began debating on what colours I should be using and how I could include some of my own changes to this sketch. As always my favourite colour scheme took the front stage. But I wanted to decide its placing on the sketch. One thing I have noticed is that a light background converges attention to a darker central subject. After giving it a thought my three main colours were decided. 

I had to use a blend for the background as using a plain colour would have made it less creative. And while blending, I realised how a round brush can blend colours much better than a flat brush that always leaves back rough strokes.

Next big task is to give this colours some shade, some effect of light; which happens to be my favourite part - The detailing.  Shading the colours to form features is something that no artist would ignore. 

Finally the minute details such as the eyes, the ornaments, the folds, intricate designs. This is where I really get stressed. The more I observe the more I could detail it and at a point, I simply have to give up and say - "I am done" because this is one process that never seems to end with a satisfaction. There is always something that could have been improved. 

So with around a total of 8 hours spread across in 3 days, I completed this work for a good friend. 

The name "Natya" was almost obvious!