Watercolor Nirvana

Discovering Buddha in Watercolors: A Journey Under the Bodhi Tree

Did you know that Bodh Gaya is where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment? Legend has it that after days of deep meditation under the Bodhi Tree, Siddhartha Gautama achieved profound insight, transforming into Buddha. This serene location in Bihar remains a pilgrimage site for millions, symbolizing peace and spiritual awakening.

A fact about Buddha: Before his enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautama was a prince who renounced his royal life in search of truth and understanding. His journey of self-discovery and teaching continues to inspire countless people around the world.

My inspiration for this loose representational painting comes from the rich spiritual heritage of Bihar. I aimed to capture the tranquility and significance of Bodh Gaya, hoping to reflect the peaceful aura that Buddha’s story brings to this sacred site.

Creating this painting was a deeply enriching experience, and I approached it with a slightly unconventional method.

I began with a detailed sketch, outlining the serene figure of Buddha, Tree, and the distant temples. This sketch served as the foundation for my work, ensuring that each element was positioned to convey the story effectively.

Sketch for watercolor painting of Gautam Buddha

Instead of starting with the background, I chose to paint Buddha first. This approach allowed me to focus on the central figure from the outset, bringing immediate attention to his calm and meditative presence.

Next, I moved on to the distant temple, using mainly blue tones to give it a sense of depth and distance. This created a subtle background that didn’t overpower the central figure. For the temples in the mid-ground, I used cadmium orange and permanent violet, adding warmth and some detail.

The foliage and the Bodhi Tree were painted using the wet-on-wet technique. This allowed the colors to blend naturally, creating a vibrant yet harmonious backdrop. I used gamboge yellow, cobalt blue, and French ultramarine to achieve a lively mix of greens that complemented the peaceful scene.

For the banyan tree, I began with a wash of raw sienna to establish the base color. To add depth and texture, I layered burnt sienna and permanent violet, giving the tree a rich, earthy feel.

Finally, I added some details to the foliage using a brush to detail a few leaves and a sponge for a textured effect. I also experimented with negative painting to create the plants and leaves in the foreground, adding a layer of complexity and depth to the scene.

Through this process, I aimed to create a painting that takes inspiration from Buddha and showcases the fluid beauty of watercolor. This journey under the Bodhi Tree in my painting is a testament to the spiritual heritage of Bihar and my personal connection to it.

Experimenting with loose misty watercolor!!

Hello, everyone! Today, I want to share a small thought with you. Have you ever felt like you’re stuck at a certain level in your creative journey? I was advised that when ever you feel the same experiment in watercolor and challenge yourself to be out of your comfort zone.

So today,I decided to try my hand at experimenting with loose watercolors. I set out to create a misty and rainy atmosphere, with the key element being “mist.” To me, mist symbolizes the unpredictable nature of life. Just as one can only see so far ahead in misty conditions, life often unfolds beyond our carefully laid plans. Mist represents the beauty and mystery of the unknown, much like the journey of life itself.

In this painting, I primarily used various strength of Payne’s Gray and Scarlet Red, mixing payne’s gray with scarlet red gave the the shade of gray that I was looking for. These shades helped me capture the essence of mist and the feeling of a rainy day.

To create this painting, I took a methodical approach. I pre-wet the paper and then using wet on wet I started applying a light wash for the sky and a slightly darker wash for the road, especially the part closer to the viewer.

I ensured that the strength of the wast increases gradually and it shall remain minimum at the center or the tunnel effect I planned to create.

I established the directional lines running across the road by lifting the colors and lines towards horizon in the scene to guide the eye. Once this initial layer had dried, I proceeded to paint the trees, starting from the distant background and moving towards the foreground. As I moved forward, I increased the intensity of the colors, transitioning from different shades of gray to a greenish gray, adding depth and dimension to the landscape. To add a touch of life to the painting, I introduced a small red car in the background and a human figure, completing the narrative and giving the artwork its final character.

In my opinion, the key to achieving the misty effect in watercolor is to utilize the wet-on-wet technique and be mindful of the color’s intensity, gradually increasing it as you transition from the background to the foreground. Another crucial aspect to consider is that, in misty conditions, colors predominantly take on shades of gray, whether it’s a greenish gray for the foreground or a cool gray for the background.

I want to encourage you to share your creative journey as well. Have you ever felt stuck at a certain level? Please, share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below, and let’s explore the world of art together!

Exploring Yucatan Vibrant Palette: A Watercolor Journey

Once upon a time… well, at the expense of being dramatic, this is more of my experience visiting Cancun, Tulum, Valladolid, and the amazing Chichen Itza, and less about watercolor.

During my unforgettable trip to Cancun, for the first couple of days, I was confined to my hotel room, mainly due to jet lag and some safety concerns I read about.

One fine morning, I woke up and decided to take a bus to Tulum to explore the ruins. It was an amazing experience as I love historical places. Tulum’s charm was absolutely mesmerizing, and it transported me back to a different era. On my way back from Tulum to my hotel in Cancun, I realized I should have brought my backpack with me.

The next day, I packed my backpack and hopped on a bus to Valladolid, a charming and colorful city. The streets were bustling with vibrant colors and had old doors that added to its allure.

Early the next morning, I left for Chichen Itza, and I was among the first visitors to enter the historical complex. The ancient ruins stood tall, whispering tales of the past. It was a surreal sight, and I felt like I had stepped back in time to a mysterious era. The tranquility of the morning allowed me to immerse myself fully in the magnificence of this architectural wonder.

I wandered through the intricate pathways, running my fingers gently over the weathered stones that held so much history. The knowledge that I was walking in the footsteps of ancient civilizations thrilled me to the core. I took numerous pictures, capturing the essence of Chichen Itza in every frame. As the sun gradually climbed higher, casting a warm glow over the ruins, the whole place seemed to come alive with a renewed energy.

As an artist and a watercolor enthusiast, I couldn’t resist the urge to paint this mesmerizing place. I did a quick sketch to capture this historical marvel. With each stroke of color, I relived the excitement of the morning and the sense of wonder that filled my heart.

As I returned to Cancun, I was intrigued by a lighthouse standing tall on the horizon, which added an extra touch of charm to my watercolor painting.

Looking back at that day, I realized how beautiful life can be when we let go of plans and embrace the unexpected. The joy of discovering new places, capturing moments with art, and feeling a profound connection to history made this experience truly unforgettable. It was a day of pure bliss, and I couldn’t wait to share my story and watercolor painting. This journey had taught me to embrace spontaneity and savor every moment, knowing that life’s most precious treasures often await in the unlikeliest of places.