Evergreen North Bengal

© Shubhankar  Adhikari ( artist )

watercolour painting on paper (8" x 11")

I made this paintings in the month of august 2012. This year when I visited North Bengal , I was lucky enough to find a very experienced driver for my rented car. He spotted me various beautiful places on the way to Lataguri,Jhalong, Bindu,Chalsa ,Gorumara ,Murti  ( ...........the list will be a long one ). He stopped the car many a time and gave me enough chance  to do my fine art related works. In this painting you can see a beautiful place between  Jhalong and Bindu.We stopped their for a while to take a cup of tea from a tea stall . The place is so beautiful that I will be unable to forget it ever. 

Delhi bound super fast train departing Kolkata-Howrah station........Kolkata cityscape painting

© Shubhankar  Adhikari (Artist )

watercolor painting on paper 

This is a painting I have completed yesterday morning. Now I am working on Kolkata city life .  I will share more paintings with you in near future, so stay tuned. :)

Tractor in service

© Shubhankar Adhikari (Artist )

Watercolor painting on handmade paper 

size-(10" x 18")

This composition was made by me last week. Love to share with you all. Have a nice week :)

Kolkata Cityscape - Tramways

© Shubhankar Adhikari (Artist)

Watercolour painting on paper 

Sharing a painting from my “Kolkata Tram” series. In this painting I have painted a  tram passing through the lush green area of Esplanade .I have used here sap green, payne’s gray, lemon yellow  and little bit of ultramarine blue. I often love to travel by tram specially the Esplanade to Khidirpur  route.

Tram is one my favourite mode of transport. . I like tram because as a mode of transport it is very clean and green , environment friendly,no emissions ,safe and secured, moderately speedy, smooth and comfortable, pedestrian-friendly, affordable , inspiring for the creative minded people .

Kolkata is the only city in India where still trams are operating. Perhaps the Kolkata tram is the oldest electric tram in Asia.  Worldwide the trams are gaining significance after the sharp increase in oil price. I think the Kolkata tramways will retains its heritage and will expand further by setting up new routes as well as reopening the closed routes. There are huge fans for this iconic tram services in Kolkata and suburbs .  Recently we can see some beautiful modern trams replacing the old ones on the streets of Kolkata.

Kolkata bound super-fast train leaving the Tatanagar Station.....Watercolour painting

© Shubhankar Adhikari (Artist )

watercolour painting on paper 

size -8" x 11"

This is a painting done by me after my recent trip to Tatanagar /Jamshedpur  Beautiful city ,nice people,beautiful city life,nice landscapes,parks,zoos,hills, Subornarekha river,Dimna lake ,lush greens surrounded the Tatanagar. 

When I was waiting for my return train to Kolkata at the Tatanagar station, suddenly this beautifully coloured rail engine captured my attention and I drew some initial sketch and later I painted it in my studio.

"Gadiara"....unforgettable beauty of Bengal

© Shubhankar  Adhikari  (Artist ) 2012

Watercolour painting on hand-made paper ( 15" x 22")

This is my painting from Rural Bengal series . I recently visited Gadiara a fortnight ago to get some real inspiration from nature. I discovered this beautiful place while roaming and made some initial sketch .Later I transformed that sketch into a  painting in my studio . The weather was very nice .This place is near the confluence of river Hooghly and Rupnarayan in Howrah district.

Wish you all a very happy Diwali.

Abstract painting in watercolour

                                     

                                          © Shubhankar Adhikari (Artist)

watercolour painting on paper

A Step-by-Step Painting instructions - How to paint a boat in Watercolour ( 10 steps)

step 1

 step 2

  

step 3

  

step 4

 step 5

  

step 6

  step 7

 step 8

                                                                                   step 9

Final step 

Boat Study ................Geonkhali, Purba Medinipur,West Bengal

© Shubhankar Adhikari ( Artist )

Watercolour painting on paper

My recent painting from Boat series.Geonkhali is a perfect place for open air painting and sketching. Here you can watch big ships ,sailing boats and others interesting things.It is not so far from Kolkata.

Unforgettable North Bengal

© Shubhankar  Adhikari  2012

Title - Unforgettable North Bengal

Watercolour and Pen on paper

This is my another painting from  "North Bengal series". This beautiful roadside wooden house grabbed my attention when I was just moving towards Jhalong ,North Bengal,Dooars, and I instantly decided that I should paint this scene one day. Finally  I completed my painting yesterday and named it "Peace Home".

Rural Bengal - a village scene

© Shubhankar Adhikari (Artist)

watercolour painting on paper

This is  my another painting from Rural Bengal series. I always like to visit the village areas in Bengal to gather some inspirations for my creative journey. 

Mahishadal , Purba Medinipur, West Bengal ---------------watercolour painting

© Shubhankar Adhikari (Artist )

watercolour painting on paper

This is my recent painting on Mahishadal. I noticed these two beautiful structures adjacent to the temple complex of Mahishadal Rajbari (Palace ). 

Clock Tower, Chandannagar, West Bengal, India, --------- Watercolour painting

© Shubhankar Adhikari (Artist)

Watercolour painting on paper

This is my recent painting on Chandannagar. I have used watercolour and pen in this painting. First I made the initial sketch with pen and then applied the watercolour paints. 

Chandannagar is a beautiful historical town situated beside the river Ganga in Hooghly district , West Bengal.Chandannagar was established as a French colony in 1673. It became a permanent French settlement in 1688. French left Chandannagar permanantly in the year 1950.A beautiful  destination along with the riverside studded with lights surrounded by lush green trees.  Many buildings of historical importance surround the place. It is very popular visiting place in India . Artists would love to paint  along enjoying the soft breeze and watching the small boats sailing by. The place is so peaceful and green that every creative person will definitely get some inspirations from here. Chandannagar strand is a perfect place for plein-air painting.

Chandannagore Museum and Institute (Institut de Chandernagor) ,The Chandannagore Strand, Sacred Heart Church of Chandannagar,The Underground House  (Patal-Bari) ,Ancient temple -Nandadulal Temple,Residences of famous personalities,Nritya Gopal Smriti Mandir, KMDA Picnic and amusement park are the major attractions here.

Famous Jagaddhatri Puja is the major socio-cultural event in this region.

Nostalgic North Bengal

© Shubhankar Adhikari

Watercolour painting on paper

This painting is from my North Bengal series . I noticed this place near Mirik, Darjeeling.

Mahishadal, Rajbari (Palace),Purba Medinipur,West Bengal - Watercolor sketch

© Shubhankar Adhikari (Artist )

watercolor sketch on paper

Mahishadal Rajbari is one of the finest tourist place in West Bengal. Here we can see the long line of palm trees,large ponds,famous temples and monuments. Very peaceful place.Perfect place for open air painting.

Mahishadal is famous historical place situated in Haldia subdivision of Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal.It is three and half hours drive from Kolkata. An excellent weekend getaway for the artists,musicians,composers,nature-lovers,photographers and tourists.I visited this beautiful Raj Bari(Palace) in the year 2010. I have sketched here only a part of this famous Raj Bari.

Chinsurah Cityscape, Mayurpankhi Ghat, River Ganges

© Shubhankar Adhikari

Watercolor Painting on paper 

Chinsurah is a beautiful historical town situated beside the river Ganges in Hooghly district,West Bengal.  I often like to visit this town for a day or two for my creative inspirations. Chinsurah has a rich historical past . The Dutch formed their East India Company (O.V.C.)  around 1602 in Chinsurah.The town is filled with Dutch memories and architectures. Dutch ruled here till May 1825. 

Mayurpankhi Ghat is beautifully constructed concrete boat in the shape of a peacock.This ghat  serves as a resting place for the local residents and passenger boats passing through the river. There were nearly thirty ghats in Chinsurah. Still we can find these following  ghats namely Tulapati Ghat,Battalar Ghat,Seal’s Ghat,Shyambabur Ghat, Shandeswar Talar Ghat, Shandeswar Ghat,Dhala Ghat,College Ghat,Ghanta Ghat,Hanuman Ghat,Dun Sahib’s Ghat, Dutta Lodge’s Household Ghat,Twin Ghat (Joraghat),Shiv Mandir Ghat etc. “Vande Mataram” ,the theme song for the Indian freedom movement was created by Sri Bankim Chandra Chatterjee while staying in a house adjacent to Jora Ghat ,Chinsurah.

  

I also like the Chinsurah Maidan (Chinsurah Ground) ,stretching along the banks of river Ganges. Here we can enjoy the beauty of four huge green playgrounds and several smaller ones. The Chinsurah Maidan  area is enriched with beautiful parks, Rabindra bhawan, a tennis court, swimming pools, historic town club etc.

Bandel Church (Oldest church in Bengal), Hooghly Imambara, Jubilee Bridge, Hooghly Collegiate School (second oldest high school in Bengal) , Chinsurah Court (longest building in Bengal ) Dutch Cemetery,Vande Mataram Bhawan, Hooghly Mohsin College are the must visit place for all. 

North Bengal recalls

© Shubhankar Adhikari

watercolour painting on paper

I have mentioned you earlier that the beauty of North Bengal always enthralls me. I noticed this beautiful roadside wooden cottage while returning from Bindu. Last week I created this artwork. I have used here sap green,viridian hue, ultramarine blue and little bit of burnt sienna.

Indian Hill -beauty -BINDU, Dooars, North Bengal

© Shubhankar Adhikari

Watercolor on paper 

I recently visited Bindu ,a beautiful  Indian hill-village situated near Indo- Bhutan border, West Bengal . I was really enthralled with the beauty of the nature there. Jaldhaka river was flowing endlessly. The place is surrounded by hills. The day was sunny. While roaming ,this beautiful wooden cottage grabbed  my attention. I instantly decided  that I should paint this beautiful scene. 

My solo show in The University of Chicago - a big success

My painting "Sitar" has been used in the main promo for the Art show.

My solo art show 'Creative impulse ....from Bengal" at University of Chicago just ended last friday on 15th june. It was organised and sponsored by University of Chicago's Committee on Southern Asian Stusies (COSAS). It is a great honour for me because world's one of the best educational institution has chosen me for their COSAS Spring quarter Art Exhibition 2012 to exhbit my 15 artworks based on giclee print in Foster hall.

To know more about event you can click on the links given below

http://event.uchicago.edu/maincampus/detail.php?guid=CAL-402882f8-3635a68e-0136-377d5a5e-00000082eventscalendar@uchicago.edu


http://southasia.uchicago.edu/highlights/2011-2012/033012-Adhikari.shtml

The visitors are viewing my paintings at Foster Hall ,University of Chicago, 

COSAS's Spring quarter Art Exhibition 2012 "Creative impulse ..........from Bengal"

Beautiful MIRIK, Darjeeling, West Bengal

© Shubhankar Adhikari

Title - Beautiful Mirik

watercolor painting on paper

Another painting from my North Bengal series.This time I have used some special techniques to bring the effect of the wooden house in this work. I noticed this beautiful  house near the lake of Mirik while roaming. Mirik is a beautiful hill town in Darjeeling district ,West Bengal ,India. Every year huge number of tourists love to visit this hill beauty from various parts of the world.

Way to Jhalong, North Bengal

© SHUBHANKAR  ADHIKARI

Title - Way to Jhalong

Watercolour on paper (11" x 8" )

This is my another painting on North Bengal series . While visiting Jhalong and Bindu I  noticed this beautiful place on the way . Sun was in full swing. 

JHALONG - A beautiful Hill-Village in North Bengal - Watercolor painting

© Shubhankar Adhikari

Watercolor painting on paper

Here my main concern was to bring out the light from the paper. I was very careful about choosing the colours for this particular work. I have told you earlier that you should make some planning before starting your painting work. If your planning is good then the outcome will be fruitful one.

Jhalong is a small hill-village situated in North Bengal ,India. I recently visited North Bengal and I am lucky enough to visit this beautiful place.

Way to Bindu, Himalayan Beauty ,near Jalpaiguri,Dooars

© Shubhankar Adhikari - 2012

Watercolour on paper 

Title - Way to Bindu

( size -11" x 8" )

This is one of my recent work on Dooars, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal ,India. Off-late I came back from my North Bengal tour. This time I was lucky to visit Bindu, Jhalong, Jayanti, Siliguri, Mirik, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong,New Jalpaiguri,Chapramari ,Gorumara,Sevok,Malbazar,Lava.Lolegaon,Coachbehar,Jaldapara,Murti,Dhupguri,Teesta,
Jalpaiguri Town,Chalsa ,Lataguri forest and other beautiful places. The tour was very peaceful . I have made lots of sketches ,took numerous snaps. 

Watercolour abstract

© Shubhankar Adhikari

watercolour abtract on paper

Repose in a food stall

© SHUBHANKAR  ADHIKARI

title - Repose

Watercolour on paper (11" x 14")

This is a typical painting of  roadside food stall we often get for short repose while doing a long drive.  In these food stalls we  get very nice and  fresh Indian dishes in a very reasonable price. The food stall owners helps the travelers by serving them delicious foods . The travelers ,daily passengers , drivers often regain their energy for an another long drive from here. 

FOG

© SHUBHANKAR ADHIKARI

Title -Fog

This is a creation I made in the year 2010. One of my favourite artwork. Happy to share with you all.

Sharing an image from my ongoing Solo Art Exhibition at Foster Hall, University of Chicago , Chicago, U.S.A.

University of Chicago's Committee on Southern Asian Studies has organised the Spring quarter Art Exhibition "Creative Impulse from Bengal " showcasing 15 artworks of mine based on lively giclee print at Foster Hall, University of Chicago,Illinois,U.S.A. Here in this image you can see( from left to right) my paintings  named "Rural Bengal", "Conflict", "Sea Dreams", "My Bhutan Memories" and "Tranquil Nature". I will try to share  the other 10 artworks from the show in my next post.

Viewing Hours

March 30 - June 15 , 2012
Fridays, 3:00-5:00PM

Foster Hall, Room 103,
1130 East 59th Street,

Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

Watercolor Landscape

© Shubhankar Adhikari

Watercolour on handmade paper

Size - 11" x 14"

Watercolour Sketch - Mirik, Darjeeling

© SHUBHANKAR ADHIKARI 

Watercolor and pen on paper

This is one of my recent sketch I have made after returning from Mirik , Darjeeling District West Bengal .North Bengal is always my favourite travel destination so I cannot ignore the invitation  of my friend in Jalpaiguri and  visited for a week recently. 

This time I planned for a tour to  Murti, Chalsa, Gorumara forest, Lataguri forest, Bindu, Jhalong, Chapramari, Lava, Lolegaon, Mirik, Darjeeling, Siliguri, Teesta, Sevok, Sukna forest etc. I had made a wonderful tour there. 

"Kolkata Cityscape" - River Ganges

© Shubhankar Adhikari

"Calcutta Cityscape - Riverside view"

watercolor on paper (11" x 7.5")

 The beauty of the river Ganges in Kolkata has  always inspired me a lot. I  like to sit for hours for the open air painting beside the riverside. The environment is calm,cool and green here, perfect for doing sketching and painting works. The Calcutta port is nearby so we can watch many kinds of ships here.............very inspiring

My Solo Art Exhibition is going on at University of Chicago's Foster Hall , CHICAGO ,U.S.A. This exhibition is sponsored by COSAS.

Happy to announce my Solo Art Exhibition 

"Creative impulse.... from Bengal" 
based  on my paintings is  going on 
at Foster Hall, Room no. 103
University of Chicago , Illinois , U.S.A.


This Art Exhibition is  sponsored 
by 
University of Chicago's
Committee on Southern Asian Studies (COSAS)

Viewing Hours

March 30 - June 15 , 2012

Fridays, 3:00-5:00PM

Foster Hall, Room 103,

1130 East 59th Street,

Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

( This Art event is free and open to Public)

Boat and the Boatman

© Shubhankar Adhikari

Title - Boat and the Boatman 

Watercolour on handmade Paper (Size - 15" x 22" )

This is one of my  paintings on the unpredictable life of fishermen live in Sundarban area in West Bengal. Most of the people in the Sundarban are fishermen or farmers. They are compelled to live a very hard and risky life. The region is densely covered by mangrove forests and is one of the largest reserves for Bengal Tiger.The interconnected network of waterways makes almost every corner of the forest accessible by boat. Forest are so important and vital for human existence in Sundarban area , the people even donot  bother about their lives to collect timber,fuel wood ,pulpwood as well as other no wood products including honey and fishes. 

Tranquil Nature

© Shubhankar Adhikari

Title - Tranquil Nature

Watercolour on paper (size 15" x 22" )

Through the use of colours, I strive to reflect the beauty and continuity of the nature through this painting. For me art is ever present because we are surrounded by shapes and colours which are the core of any artistic creation. My aim is not only just to transform my  unique vision of nature through painting ,but also to evoke a sense of tranquility , peace , serenity and harmony.

Abstraction in Watercolour

© Shubhankar Adhikari

watercolour on paper

SILIGURI Recalls

© Shubhankar Adhikari

Title - Siliguri Recalls ( size 8" x 11" )

medium - watercolour on paper

CONFLICT

© SHUBHANKAR  ADHIKARI

Title - "Conflict"

Medium- watercolor and ink on paper 

size - 11" x 8"

Now a days conflict is every where . It has become our part of life.  It is true that  without conflict we cannot progress in our life  as human beings.  No doubt the dearth of conflict  slows down the pace of self development ,community development and social development. 

Sometimes conflict can also create major problems in our personal and professional relationships if we are not so careful how to deal with it.  If we can separate the conflict from the emotions then I think we can avoid major setbacks in our lives. In this painting I wanted to depict my view regarding emotional conflict through colours and lines.

 

Seaside Fisherman's House - DIGHA

© Shubhankar Adhikari 

Title - Seaside Fishersman's House 

watercolor on paper (11" x 8")

Waterlogged Street

© Shubhankar Adhikari

Watercolor & Poster colour on paper ( size -11" x 15" )

I think the journey towards watercolour painting is another path  of self development and purification one's mind and soul. A serious artwork always helps to enhance  sense of responsibility ,composed relationship with paper,stylistic purity,tenderness and concentration power.An Artist knows how to bring the spirit of fineness and lyrical detail to an uncommon subject or to a conventional theme. A profound and sincere sympathy can be created  with a warm and lyrical brush strokes.

Sea Dreams

© Shubhankar Adhikari

Title - "SEA DREAMS"

Watercolour on handmade paper ( 11" x 15")

Digha is a beautiful coastal town in West Bengal ,India. It is a favourite destination for me to visit the sea side . Sea is very beautiful here . I made this painting in the year 2010 from a reference photo I had snapped there . This place is near old Digha . 

Jalpaiguri Dreams

© Shubhankar Adhikari

watercolor on paper (8'' x 11" )