Trying out a new handmade paper from Himalaya Stationery ( FORT )

As I mentioned in my previous post, I recently came across a handmade paper which I picked up from Himalaya Stationery. Not being too sure about how it will perform, I picked up just one sheet. After trying out three small water colour landscape paintings on them my conclusion is that this paper is a "DEFINITE YES" for me. The cost of each sheet is 35 Rs only and judging it by its thickness, it should be around 180 gsm. This paper holds water well and seems to be working fine with me for the "WET ON WET TECHNIQUE".

Given below are three different water colour paintings on this new handmade paper. I decided to select three different landscapes which could cover the clouds, mountains, sea, land, grassy land, shrubs etc. These are quick studies and I realised how the horizon line has gone haywire in the last two works. Anyways these works were done with the intention of getting the feel of this new paper and I was so very excited.

I have used some of my expensive brushes which I picked up from Himalaya, ie the sable hair brushes. They do make a lot of difference in comparison to the synthetic ones. Will post the images of the brushes that I have used for the present works. In fact I plan to use these brushes for most of my works from here on.

A scene from Himachal Pradesh

Inspired by Goa beaches

As seen in Coorg

My next plan of action is to create a bigger work sized 11" X 16" using water colour medium. But before I embark on a larger sized painting, as a routine I will first create a small thumbnail sketch to have a better understanding as to how the work will look with the technique and colours  that I plan to use. A thumbnail sketch helps me to evaluate my technique and then I can make changes accordingly in the bigger work.

Completed another soft pastel painting of a Landscape as seen in Coorg

Finally completed this Coorg Landscape painting, which was incomplete since last month. ie I had just blocked in the major values and sprayed it with a fixative ( Winsor and newton ). Later because of my busy schedule of last exhibition I could not pay much attention to it.

It took me a little longer than usual to complete this work as I feel that when a painting is done in one go then it gets done faster( As you are totally immersed in the study of the work and are mentally prepared with all the ideas of the techniques etc ) . But if there is a break, then somewhere the rhythm, the momentum is lost and then I have to restart with a lot of self motivation.

This particular scene as in Coorg ( Karnataka ) appealed to me a lot and I wanted to take care to put in my best. I paid attention to aerial perspective or rather I call it " Colour perspective" where in things far away or in the background have hints of blue and violet in it. Every landscape that I choose is a much thought over deliberate decision because it has something new and different, and when I try doing it I know for sure that I will learn a few important lessons.

Walk in the woods

Soft pastel painting on Fabriano Tiziano paper

Size 11" x 15"

I have used couple of Camel soft pastel chalks on this art work. I found them pretty good. They are soft and quite like MUNGYO in many ways.

Next I am working on a Langkawi- rocks and reflection, painting which should be completing soon.

If you have any queries with respect to PURCHASING my available paintings you can write to me at manjupanchal@hotmail.com or call me at 0091-22-9820683983 ( Mumbai, India )

My paintings can also be viewed on my facebook page

www.facebook.com/charcoalspastelsandmore

For most of my soft pastel paintings I normally use a fixative and after having used several brands my personal favourite is Winsor and Newton. I have never had any issue handling it and it falls sprays very uniformly on the paper without breaking into droplets.

Back to my Pastel paintings - Another one from COORG

 Last few days were busy days as I managed to work on some more thumbnail sketches, for my future landscape paintings. I shall be posting a collective image soon. Once the thumbnail sketches are done, I can peacefully take the decision on what subject to work on next.

In the meantime I managed to complete one of my 12" X 16" Soft pastel Landscape painting. 

( Coorg , Hill Station in Karnataka ).

A single beautiful majestic tree standing alone, the light filtering through and casting beautiful shadows on the forest floor. A walk in the woods can enrich our life by making us see the perfect creation in nature, be it trees, the insects, the serene atmosphere, the blowing breeze, the rustling of leaves. The list is endless. I want to paint little parts of the landscape, which to me is a whole complete self, an identity and beauty in itself. I see, observe, feel and interpret it in my way. Adding colours as I see them around, experimenting with my techniques and my pastel strokes so as to grow as an artist.

"Standing Alone"

Size 12" X 16"    Soft Pastel Painting

As of now I may feel that the painting is complete but it always happens that when I am in the process of framing the work, I realise that there are lot of different places where I need to work on.

Just a little last minute touch up can make a lot of difference. 

Soft Pastel painting of a COORG landscape

This soft pastel painting is created from my photograph which was taken at COORG while we were taking a walk on the five acre coffee plantation. The tree trunk which had fallen down, allowed the light to create beautiful shadow underneath. The dried leaves fallen on the floor, the hilly terrain and other elements, it all added to the beauty of the scene. 

I used black coloured Fabriano Tiziano paper for this particular painitng and my usual set of soft pastels. The paper has great tooth and I enjoy doing my pastels on it. I ordered my Fabriano pad with 12" X 16" sheets from FLIPKART a few months ago. 

The fallen trunk

Size 8" X 12"

Soft Pastel painting on Fabriano Tiziano paper

Nature inspires me. The colour harmony, the perfection, the beauty in simple forms be it trees, river or mountains, it gives lot of joy. Through my art I am trying to capture the memories on paper. Each photograph, each painting tells a story. Looking at the paintings I relive the happy moments.

All images on this blog are © Manju Panchal. 

The winding road - Another soft pastel painting

I have started shortlisting a whole lot of photographs from my personal collection in order to create more landscape paintings. As of now I am keeping the other mediums on hold as I am enjoying the whole process of doing trees, bushes, roads etc in soft pastels.

The image below is of yet another of my COORG landscape collection. The weather in Madikeri ie another name for COORG, is always very pleasant and the greenery on any road you walk is just amazing. Each view is an open subject for an artist. One of my "TO DO" lists is doing a PLEIN AIR painting ie painting outdoors, which hopefully I should be starting soon. Photographs do not capture the colours of nature as they are in reality.

The Winding Road ( COORG landscape )

Soft Pastel painting on Fabriano Tiziano paper

My next subject is a tree to be painted vertical with lots of greenery in the background. I am creating this new painting in order to fit it in the frame which has been lying with me since last year. The Size of the painting with the frame is going to be 22" X 30" and I am going to place it in one of my kitchen walls. I have not done a BIG pastel painting for long and am looking forward to doing this one.