Maya

When I searched on the word “Maya”, I was really surprised that it was probably one word which has multiple meanings across different places and religions. According to Hindu mythology, it is another name of goddess Lakshmi and it means “illusion”. It is the failure of perceiving things the way they are and seeing them superficially thereby not getting a picture in totality. I think the process of understanding the difference between them is enlightenment. The idea of this sketch is that the external beauty is what draws ones quick attention but its only an illusion, subject to change with time.

Reference:

1. Figure drawing without a model, Ron Tiner

Indian folk Dancer

I am back, after a brief hiatus. Here is an Indian dancer captured in motion. Focus is on the rendering style and without much attention to detail.

Ref:

1. Figure Study Made Easy, Aditya Chari

Light and Shade – 1st Blogversary

This day last year, I started this blog to channelize my focus on sketching. Its been quite a journey so far. To be very honest I really didnt think the blog would survive beyond 3 months. But the encouragement and support from friends  and the response from other people in general has been overwhelming.  I feel like writing a lot about the year long sketching journey …probably will do that sometime soon. .maybe dedicate an entire page for this . Grad school is keeping me on my toes.. got series of midterms in the following weeks..

A word on this sketch “Light and Shade” . I personally think the timing couldnt have been better to post this sketch today as this totally describes what my blog is all about ..Light and Shade.  A simple cup, spoon and table salt container are used for illustration.

It feels good to know there are handful of people following my work and checking it periodically. Thankyou all, people,  for your support and encouragement.

P.S: I took a photograph of my sketch instead of scanning it, hence less clarity.

Ref:

1. Pencil Shading – Basic techniques, Ravi Raj

My First Tanjore painting

My first tanjore painting. This is one good thing that I did during my India trip – learnt a new art form. It also kept me busy for 3 odd weeks.  Patience is onething which people learning this will acquire during making a tanjore painting. Its just too bad that I dont have the painting’s in-the-making pics…those will tell how a plain plywood board is converted to a piece of art work. There is nothing much that I would add to my previous write-up on tanjore painting.

yooo hoooo –this is for my first one.

Che Guevara

Here is my charcoal portrait sketch of a  stylized poster of  Che. The original photo was taken by Alberto Korda, in 1960.

Charlie Chaplin

This sketch is another play on light and shadow.  The human brain can visualize missing information from incomplete cues. This when translated to drawing, means when given just enough cues about the subject, the viewer can envision missing parts. This viewer involvement in envisioning process makes it interesting for them.

Ref:

1. Drawing on the right side of the brain, Betty Edwards

Flowers – cheers

And here comes my 50th post. I think this is a small but a significant something achievement for me. Therefore I am giving myself couple of flowers to celebrate the occasion.:):)

Ref:

1. Pencil Shading – Basic techniques, Ravi Raj

Tanjore Big Temple

I wanted to try something different this time. Hence Architecture.  I was browsing the net in search of good temple pics to draw. All that I had in mind was to do something simple to get a feel of it and then maybe at a later point of time do a detailed sketch. To test waters, I thought this pic was the right choice. The idea of superimposing Brihadeeswarar temple on an engraved stone  from the same temple was superb. Only while doing this did I realize the importance of paper texture,  to give the feel of stone. I have did what is possible within my limitations.

Here is a neat pic on the evolution of tamil script. Check this out to find which century did the letters found on the sketch above belong to..:)

Ref:

1. Picture courtesy – Sathiyan – http://www.flickr.com/photos/yessathiyan/3832129337/

2. Tamil script evolution picture – http://www.flickr.com/photos/anoopp/3515493170/sizes/m/

Saddam Husein

A while back I saw the movie “Green Zone” , that inspired me to do this sketch.

Dumped..Discarded…Deserted….

Here is another quickie.  It was a lot of fun sketching this car. I didnt have to go into the details but covered just enough ground to give the feel.

Ref:

1. Pencil Drawing Techniques, David Lewis