Title: Agora
Size: 18 X 27 cm
Medium: Watercolor on Handmade paper
16.05.2009
It is wise to plan things, but it is also true that many good things in life happen accidentally. It was by chance I struck upon the website of artist Don Andrews. He is a watercolour artist. I love his bold use of colours. I was inspired by him and I have taken the liberty to copy some of his work. I have even written to him about it. Of course I did not get any reply. J
I have called this painting “Agora” which in Greek means marketplace. Psychiatrists use the word agoraphobia to mean general fear of open places. I gave a Greek name simply for the novelty in it.
This painting took more than 6 hours to complete. It was because the overall size was small and the subject matter was quite complex. I allowed the painting to dry before I touched adjacent areas so as to not allow bleeding into unnecessary areas. I also painted few areas in a layered approach.
I had posted it on a social network. I got the following comment from a friend. The comment was “ Hi Dheeraj, … this one is amazing, you are far far better than me in water color painting. It is really difficult spreading the colors accordingly the value of it. You got a very good control and command on the brush strokes. You maintained the perspective also very well, the person in the front is bigger in comparison to the people standing in the far. It is really lively because of the bight and contrast colors. You did a good job on the details of the decorative stuff. Even though you didn’t add any details on the human figure, that is the good part of it, otherwise it would have killed your painting. That’s it. Keep going, no one can stop you now……….GOOD LUCK.”
It was my school friend, Sruthi, a professional animation artist, who works for Hollywood movies. Her comment increased my confidence. She might never realize what impact her words have had on me. The beauty is we too could have magical effect on others, if we do take the time and initiative to encourage others.
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