Benaulim beach, Goa - A water colour painting

"All my life through the new sights of nature made me rejoice like a child." Marie Curie

Some time back I created a water colour painting of a solitary palm tree at Benaulim beach, Goa. I enjoyed creating that painting and therefore decided to do one more on a similar subject. This time I selected a close up of the tree with its leaves spread out and the sea waves in the background. As I mentioned in my last post, Campap paper is working good with me so I have used it once again for this water colour painting.

While doing the leaves in the painting as below, I worked on "Colour mixing" in order to get the right greens. When it comes to colour mixing, I have realized that no amount of reading helps. It's only when I actually begin a painting and try out various permutations and combinations, that I learn a lot. Theory is great but practice teaches a lot more.

In conclusion, every time I start off a new painting, I keep a test strip of the same paper with me where in I try out different colour combinations that I desire. This step by step approach really helps me a lot. For a warm dark green I combine sap green and burnt sienna. For the rest of the greens I use various options of blues and yellows.

A Palm tree at the beach

Water colour painting on Campap paper

Size 5.5" X 8"

In the last few months I have been working exclusively in water colour medium and have tried out many different papers. One last paper that I need to work on is "Fabriano Artistico cold pressed water colour paper." I have already worked with the hot pressed version and I loved the paper. However for landscapes I think a little texture will be of great help.

Thanks for visiting my blog and do visit my INSTAGRAM page to browse through my latest works.

A Solitary Palm tree at Benaulim beach, Goa

"Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree long time ago."
Warren Buffet

A beautiful solitary tree that I came across at Benaulim beach in Goa, motivated me to create the water colour painting as seen below. The tree had its shadow as well as reflection in the water underneath. The tree with its drooping leaves and branches also kind of narrated its survival story. Determined and resolute it stood facing the strong monsoon winds, rooted firmly to the ground. We all need this kind of determination in life at some time or other.

It was fun creating this painting as it was my maiden attempt at painting palm leaves. I used a flat brush and a thin round brush to get the effects that I desired. I also tried my hand once again at a cloudy sky but need little more practice at getting it right. A beach scene gives an opportunity to work on sea waves, sandy seashore and a beautiful sky.

A Solitary Palm tree

Water colour painting on Campap paper

Size 5.5" X 8"

Benaulim beach is located along the South Goa coastline and is not as commercialized as the other beaches. One can enjoy some tranquil moments here in the company of nature. 

My works can also be browsed at my INSTAGRAM page. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Charcoal drawing of a tree

"Inspiration does exist but it must find you working." Pablo Picasso

I love painting trees and am fascinated by them as a subject. I came across these beautiful lines on significance of trees and am sharing them with you. ( Courtesy: http://www.ancient-wisdom.com/treelore.htm )

Trees are symbols of physical and spiritual nourishment, transformation and liberation, sustenance, spiritual growth and fertility.The world-tree is described in the Upanishads "a tree eternally existing, its roots aloft, its branches spreading below."

Today I am posting a charcoal drawing of a beautiful tree that I came across on the banks of Kaveri river, at Dubare forest near Coorg. I recently posted another "Tree painting" from the same region.This charcoal drawing was created as a demo during a recent art workshop. It is not always possible to do a complete detailed work during a workshop, hence I spent a little extra time adding on a few marks here and there to get to get the look that I desired.

The Eternal

Charcoal drawing on Cartridge sheet

Size 12"X 16"

For most of my demo works in charcoal medium I use willow charcoal during the initial layering of the shape as it helps in covering  up the basic mid tone value. Later I analyse and evaluate the work and then proceed with charcoal powder and pencil to get the darker tones. To create the highlights I use the kneaded eraser. 

CLICK HERE to know about the charcoal tools that I use for my charcoal drawings. I have also posted about my favorite papers that use for the charcoal medium.

Thanks for browsing through my works and would love to know what papers do you use for your charcoal works? Do leave in your comments.

A Tree

"Drawing is not the form, it is the way of seeing a form." Edgar Degas

Trees mean a lot to me. I love painting them. To me a "Tree" is a symbol of "Beauty, Strength, Endurance, Stability, and Wisdom".

I came across this beautiful old tree with exposed roots, anchored beautifully in the soil at Dubare forest on the banks of Kaveri river ( Near Coorg ). Since I had already created the study work of this tree on a small black Canson MT paper, it did not take me long to recreate this on a bigger paper.

Dubare forest, in Karnataka is known for its elephant camp and the area is a host to beautiful archaic deciduous trees. I did not have time to do any kind of Plein air sketching or drawing but I did manage to photograph many such trees. In the scene as below, there were other trees and bushes in the background, however I decided to keep it simple as I wanted the tree to be in focus.

Perennial

Soft pastel painting on Canson Mi Teintes paper

Size 6.5" X 9.5"

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Two study works of "Trees" in soft pastel medium

"Good drawing forms the 'bones' on which a strong painting hangs." Chris Bingle

 Before I start off with my painting, I like to study the subject so as to get an understanding of the composition, the colours, the values and the techniques that I will apply in order to get the effect that I am visualizing in the mind. My vision of the artwork must meet what I create on paper.

The soft pastel artworks as below are of two majestic trees as seen and photographed at Kaveri river bank, Dubare forest near Coorg. During monsoon the river is overflowing and hence these exposed roots are not visible as they are submerged under water. We visited this place during the month of March when the water flow was bare minimum and I got to photograph some of these old archaic trees

Two Soft pastel study works of trees
as seen at Dubare forest, Coorg.
Size 4" X 5.5"

Every tree has its unique character, shape, form and identity. It's a great experience to sketch and paint these graceful elements of nature.

The "study works" as above will guide me in future to create a larger painting if required.

Tree trunk in shadow - A soft pastel painting

"Trees are the earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven." Rabindranath Tagore

Beautifully written quote by Rabindranath Tagore. Trees are such an essential part of beautiful nature that surrounds us. I have been doing a series on "Trees" using different mediums and my love for this subject continues to grow. 

This particular tree on the banks of river Kaveri, was in the shadows and the sunlight perforated through the foliage to light up the raised areas of the exposed roots. The light and contrast in the scene appealed a lot to me and I selected this scene for my soft pastel work. While in Dubare forest area last March we got the opportunity to photograph many such strongly rooted beautiful trees and I will be painting many of them soon.

Tree trunk in shadow

A soft pastel painting on Canson Mi Teintes paper

Size 6.5"X 8"

I started this work on a black coloured Canson Mi Teintes paper which was taped on to a hard board for support and then I placed this board on the on the Easel. Having purchased a table top Easel is a great advantage and I am putting it to use for most of my art works. It is very convenient to work with the easel as I can look at eye level and sketch. Once placed on the easel I begin with the first step which involves creating the basic outline of the tree trunk and the exposed roots. At this stage I put in efforts to check on the design and composition.

Step 1

Creating an outline

keeping in mind the design and composition

Next came the "BLOCK IN" stage wherein I carefully selected the colours keeping in mind the values and I filled in the masses. I keep the detailing for the final stage.

Step 2

Blocking in the colours

paying attention to the values

In the final step I add the details and the darker values to create the depth. I also add a few pastel marks in earthen shades on the trunk to suggest barks and other growth on trees.

I got into drawing and sketching trees somewhere in 2014 when I was making a transition from "Still Lives" to "Landscapes". That is the time when I felt the need to understand the anatomy of the tree in order to paint it well. From then on I have created a series on "Trees" and continue painting and sketching them.

This weekend I had a great workshop in soft pastel medium with three participants who were very passionate about art. They learnt the basic techniques involved in creating a soft pastel painting and then went on to create a soft pastel painting of "Santorini, Greece" and "Maya Bay". I shall be posting the images of their works soon in my art workshop page.

Thanks for browsing through my works and please do leave your comments.

Sketching a tree trunk on toned paper.

Drawing and sketching on Coloured paper

My Charcoal and white pastel pencil sketching workshop is coming up this weekend and therefore I decided to draw and sketch one of my favourite subjects "Tree Trunk". This particular tree trunk was photographed by me while we were in Phi Phi Don and it has been in my "To Do List" since long. 

Phi Phi Don is a small spectacular island from Krabi Province ( Thailand ) with most hotels situated within the vicinity of four to five kilometers from the pier. There are no vehicles on this island and most tourists walk around to reach their destinations. There are paved pathways and the island has some amazing ancient trees with hanging roots. It is fun to sketch and shade this kind of a subject where I use only two different pencils to create a three dimensional realistic art on paper.

Catching the light

Charcoal and white pastel pencil sketch on grey hand made paper

Size 6" X 8"

I started blogging in January 2014 and since then I have created several paintings on the subject 

"Tree Trunk". You can CLICK HERE to view one of my similar old works. The fascination grew with time and now when ever I travel my eyes are hunting for some beautiful trees around and I try to capture them in my mind's eye and begin my visual study then and there itself.

A beautiful quote.

"Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art." Leonardo da Vinci

Step by step - charcoal study sketch of a tree trunk

" Creativity is intelligence having fun." Albert Einstein

Creating a simple value sketch in a short duration of fifteen to twenty minutes helps me to simplify
the painting process. My charcoal sketching workshop is coming up in the next week so I decided to spend some moments with the charcoal medium.

I am posting below two different quick tree trunk sketches that I created using willow charcoal and a normal charcoal pencil. These sketches need to be sprayed with a fixative to avoid the sketching from smudging OR as an alternate solution one can keep it protected under butter paper.

Step 1. Applied willow charcoal and smudged it using finger.

Step 2. Created an outline of the tree trunk.

Step 3. Added the darkest values and the highlights lifted using eraser.

Step 4. Added midvalues using willow charcoal and charcoal pencil. A few

details using eraser and pencil.

Step by step charcoal study sketch

created on Favini paper

Size 4"X 5"

Creating a small sketch helps me understand the steps leading to the final execution of the artwork.

Therefore when I start the sketching on a bigger scale, I don't have to think a lot about the value variations as I have already worked on it earlier itself. Both the tree trunks were captured on my mobile while I was in Lonavala recently.

CLICK HERE to see one of my step by step charcaol sketching that I posted earlier in Jan 2016.

I have lately started using "Willow Charcoal" a lot for my quick sketches as it covers up the paper fast and is easy to blend and control. The only drawback is that it smudges a whole lot. Therefore I avoid using it on my final art work except at places where I need to create foliage etc. I will learn more about it as I continue to use it and explore some other possibilities. The paper I have used for the above sketching is an acid free paper from Italy, Favini.

The dappled sunlight on the tree trunk

When the rays of sunlight hit the forest they filter gently through the leaves and the dense branches, creating patches of warm glow on the tree trunk. The light and contrast play creates beautiful abstract patterns on the tree and I have tried to capture the magical glow through my Charcoal sketching as given below.

I have used Canson Mi Teintes paper for the art work and the following tools,

• Camel charcoal pencil
• Conte a Paris white pastel pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• Blending tool or tortillon

Canson paper has a sandy surface and charcoals and pastels work good on them.They are available in many different shades but somehow I have got stuck to using the dark grey one.

The dappled sunlight

Charcoal and white pastel sketching on Canson paper

Size 5" X 7"

My love and fascination for drawing and sketching trees continues to grow. It all started in the year 2014 when I was beginning to get into landscape paintings. I needed to study tree anatomy before getting to paint them. The best way to understand them was to do tonal study. I started it then and do it even now as I find it very relaxing. 

Sketching out a tree using charcoal pencil.

We were at Karnala Bird Sanctuary recently and it was early morning hours. The sunlight falling on the tree trunks created great light and contrast. It was a good opportunity for photography. Using one of the photographs I created the charcoal and white pastel pencil sketch as below.

The paper I have used is Canson Mi Teintes and it has a sandy surface which helps to fix the charcoal and pastel to fix on it well.

The Sunlit tree

Charcoal and white pastel pencil sketch on Canson paper

Size 5" X 7"

I started the  "TREE STUDY" sketches somewhere in the beginning of year 2014. The intention was to get a better understanding of the tree anatomy. Later it became a passion. The more I create tree sketches, the more I love them. Each one is so different, with its own individuality.

Browsing through my earlier posts I came across initial tree sketches as given below.

Tree trunk study works done in the past.

Charcoal sketching of another tree trunk

In my last post I mentioned about having come across some beautiful trees and tree trunks

in Lonavala. After having created one tree trunk sketching, I decided to do another one. This

particular tree as in the image below caught my eye because of the deep hollow midway and the texture of the bark.

It is interesting to observe the different features that each tree has on its body and it gets more

interesting when the pencil movement has to be changed in order to get the texture forms.

The more I draw and sketch, the more I observe trees as I am travelling and I realise that today

I see more details in trees than just a simple standing form in nature. 

To me art is a lot about observational skills. We observe, we understand and then we put it down on paper. Creating something from nothing.

The handmade paper that I have used for this work is from Sun Enterprises in Fort as 

mentioned in my last post.

Standing Alone

Charcoal and white pastel sketching on grey handmade paper

Size 6" x 8"

I have personally liked this handmade paper and would recommend it to all those who use charcoals and pastels. It has a smooth side too but I have not used it so far but will try it out soon. I have started a portrait, a beautiful Indian face on the same paper and would be posting the image soon.

You can also view my works on Fine Art America and if you love Ethnic Home Decor products

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Tree from Lonavala - sketching on toned paper

"Drawing is not the same as form; it is a way of seeing form." Edgar Degas

During my last visit to Lonavala, I came across some tree trunks with beautiful forms and shapes and interesting textures of the bark. I always marvel at "Nature's creations". There is so much art all around us. So perfect and so beautiful.

I decided to do the tree trunk on a textured steel grey hand made paper that I had recently

 picked up from Sun Enterprises at Bora Bazaar, Fort. This shop has a variety of hand

 made papers and some of them can be used for charcoals and pastels. One has to try

them out.

Tree Trunk

Charcoal and pastel painting on hand made paper

Size 6" x 8"

Posting an image of the three tools used to create this art work.

A. Camel soft charcoal pencil

B. General white pastel pencil

C. Kneaded eraser

Hope this helps. Thanks for browsing through my works and if you like my works please do leave your comments. 

Matheran - a tree in soft pastels

This particular tree with lot of greenery in the background was a bit of a challenge and I almost gave it up midway but having put in efforts it is not easy to abandon too. Hence keeping it aside for a day, I restarted the same painting next morning with fresh mind and with the intention of completing it. 

It happens that in the process of doing a painting we realise that certain things could have been differently with respect to adding colours or shadows etc. This very realisation is the learning lesson that gets carried forward to the next painting where we implement the knowledge to avoid the mistakes made in the past.

Solitary tree

Soft pastel painting on Canson paper

This soft pastel painting is from a reference photograph taken at Matheran, a beautiful hill station close to Mumbai. We were there last December for a short holiday.

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Painting a tree in soft pastels

Using a random photograph from my "saved images" collection, created a soft pastel painting with the tree in focus.Each tree has its unique features, be it bark, exposed roots or branches and leaves.

I have used MUNGYO and KOH-I-NOOR soft pastels for creating this painting. In order to create fine lines to represent branches of trees, I use my charcoal pencils. In my collection of charcoal pencils, I have General, Conte A Paris and Camel.

The lone tree

Soft Pastel painting on Fabriano paper

An interesting quote

"Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen, and thinking what no one else has thought"

Einstein

Painting a tree in soft pastels

Finally a bigger soft pastel work for my kitchen wall. This was long due and it took me roughly three days to complete it. It is made with reference to yet another of my COORG photographs. This tree stood tall and sturdy in the five acre coffee plantation of the HOMESTAY where we stayed on three different occasions during our holidays.

The place is so green and shaded and the sunlight falling on trunk created a beautiful visual effect. For this particular painting I have used a brown coloured Canson Mi Tentes paper. I would have loved to use Tiziano paper but unfortunately the pad that I have is size 12" X 16" where as this painting happens to be much bigger in size.

The Foundation

Soft Pastel painting on Canson paper

Size 18" X 26" ( Including mountboard )

Next I am working on two different paintings from my Langkawi holidays. The beautiful beaches there and its blue green waters are just amazing and capturing them on paper is going to be a great experience. Moreover I have selected photographs where there are rocks and I feel the need to paint rocks as they are important part of any landscape painting.

Pastel painting from a reference photograph

Finally I indulged in a pastel painting after a very long time. Pastel medium is one of my favourite mediums. It is very versatile and gets done much faster as compared to canvas and charcoal work.

The photograph I used as a reference for this particular painting was clicked by my son while we were holidaying in COORG. I particularly liked the perspective of the tree and its exposed roots. A very different composition from my normal previous works.

 It looked pretty simple to begin with but as I progressed I realised that it had too many details and finally I landed up using my MUNGYO, KOH-I-NOOR and GALLERY pastels too. A challenging photograph always helps in learning new lessons. I enjoyed doing this painting and am working on my next pastel painting which too is from my reference photograph taken at Himachal Pradesh.

The Mighty one

Soft Pastel painting on FABRIANO TIZIANO paper

size 6.5" X 9" ( Excluding the mountboard )

For this particular work I have used Fabriano paper but for my other works I shall continue using Canson Mi Tentes paper as well. Both the papers I find are good for creating pastel works.

I have used Winsor and Newton fixative after blocking in the values in the first layer. Normally after the last layer I avoid adding further fixative as it dulls the colours.

Back to soft pastels

After a few water colours, I am back to my soft pastels and my all time favourite series of "Painitng Trees". It all started as a study work so as to enhance my knowledge about tree anatomy but of late I have realised that it has become a passion. I am loving it. In fact where ever I go my eyes are unconsciously hunting for some great looking tree with beautiful, different structure, textured barks, long spread out branches. I do not miss out the opportunity of taking a photograph, which later gets edited using my Apps on Computer.

The tree as painted below is from a reference photograph which I took in one of the less-traffic lanes and is lined up with beautiful trees. 

Tree Trunk

Soft pastel painting on Fabriano Tiziano

Having done a couple of soft pastel paintings on the Fabriano tiziano paper it is now quite evident that it has great quality. Hence apart from using Canson Mi tentes paper, I would love add this to my collection. I have already ordered my set of FABRIANO TIZIANO ( black ) pad from FLIPKART which shall be arriving soon.

Another tree sketching in charcoal by Manju Panchal

Sketched another tree using reference photograph. The paper used for creating this work is the smooth side of beige coloured Canson Mi Tentes paper.

Posting an image of the tools used in creating the charcoal sketching.

A . CONTE A PARIS soft charcoal pencil

B. CRETACOLOUR soft white pastel pencil

C. MUNGYO white pastel chalk

D. Kneaded eraser to create highlights.

The Resolute one

Charcoal and soft white pastel on CANSON MI TENTES paper

Charcoal Sketching of a tree - by Manju Panchal

Sketching a tree using Charcoal pencil  and soft pastel

I tried out the sketching of a tree some time back CANSON paper and quite liked the effect . Canson Mi Tentes paper has different textures on both its sides. One side is a bit rough with granular texture and the other side is smooth. My present charcoal sketching has been created on the smoother side.

I have used CONTE charcoal pencil, blending tools, white CRETACOLOUR pastel pencil and MUNGYO white pastel chalk to create the sketching as given below using beige coloured Canson paper. 

Reaching out

Charcoal and pastel sketching of a tree on Canson paper.

Size 7.5" X 10" ( Including frame size )

Presently I am trying out another tree sketch on FABRIANO Academia sheet and am using willow charcoal in the background. Will be posting the image once it gets completed.

Graphite sketching of a tree by Manju Panchal

Anatomy of a tree - sketching in graphite and white pastel pencil

Always wanted to sketch a tree using graphite pencil and finally did it. It stands tall just outside my local Bank. Everytime I passed it I would spend a few moments appreciating the light and shadow playing on the tree trunk and branches. Last week I captured it on my mobile and today usiing normal graphite
pencil ( Camel  10 B ) and white pastel pencil created my FIRST tree sketch.

As I have begun doing landscapes, and trees being essential element in the composition, I feel the need

to understand the anatomy of a tree. What better way than to create live sketches of some beautiful

trees around us.

Rooted

Graphite and pastel sketching on Canson Mi Tentes paper

Size 7" X 9" ( Including mountboard )

Planning to do my next tree sketching using charcoal and white pastel chalk.