Strolling through the hill-top market

© Shubhankar  Adhikari 

Watercolour painting on paper

Sharing  a very recently made cityscape  with you. This is the last post for 2013. I will share more works in the year 2014. Have a nice weekend.......... :)

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2014 ( in advance ).May this festival of joy bring peace,health,prosperity,creativity and happiness...........................:)

Cityscape - Old Structures

© Shubhankar  Adhikari  2013

watercolour and pen on handmade paper

Old structures and their architectural features always motivate me to sketch and paint. While visiting historical towns and cities I always search the old buildings  with special architectural brilliance. Here I have kept my palette limited into  two colours to give more emphasis on values. 

Winter in the hills

© Shubhankar  Adhikari 2013

watercolour on paper

size 8" x 14.5"

I have been fortunate enough to experience the beauty of Jhalong on a sunny day. I painted this composition yesterday.  My artworks most strongly reflect my love for nature and travelling.They serve as a constant source of motivation and a reminder of the places.I am happy here to express my interpretation of nature's beauty with the challenge of watercolour as a media.

Acrylic landscape painting on board -Wooden Bungalows

© Shubhankar  Adhikari 2013

Acrylic painting on board (size 11" x 14")

Acrylic is one of my favourite medium for painting. This is an acrylic  painting  which I have completed recently. Working with acrylic on board is always a nice experience .

Green Dream - Landscape in watercolour

© Shubhankar  Adhikari 2013

Watercolour painting on paper

Title - Green Dream (Size- 11" x 15" )

Here in this artwork I have used a big brush (no. 12 round brush ). I have used  sap green,viridian hue, payne's grey and hooker's green . While digging the memory of  Purulia tour, I have planned to work more on my "Bengal Landscape Series". Just stay tuned to view more of my works in future.

An old house sketch with ball point pen

© Shubhankar  Adhikari 

 Last week when I visited Taki, the heritage town of Bengal ,I noticed this beautiful  house . I have made this sketch work last week. In my previous blog post  I have alreadty mentioned about  Taki in short. In Taki I have found many old structures like this  . I have a plan to do a painting series later on.

An artful tour to Taki - a Heritage Town

© Shubhankar  Adhikari

watercolour painting  on paper ( 11" x 15")

Taki is an extremely peaceful place for plein air painting .Last week I visited Taki to do some plein air painting.
I boarded the Hasnabad Local Train from Sealdah Station,(Kolkata ) to reach Taki Road Station.From Taki Road station I took a cycle-van to arrive at the Zamindar Bari (Palatial building ) on the banks of River Ichamoti in 10 minutes. Two-third of the Zamindar Bari (Palatial building ) property has been engulfed by the river Ichamoti,still this ( Zamindar Bari -Palatial building ) is one of the main attraction here.These Zamindars ruled from the time of Mughals and served till the time of British rules. It is quite painful to see the Zamindar Baris(Palatial buildings ) are now in dilpidated state. This historical Zamindar Bari(Palatial building ) as a witness, has lot more to say, if we all are willing to listen it.

Taki is a heritage town and also the gateway to Sunderban ( Bay of Bengal ). It is situated by the bank of beautiful river Ichamoti. Bangladesh is on the other bank of the river Ichamoti. Taki Municipality is  one of the oldest municipalities in India established in1869. Taki Gov’t High School is more than 250 years old.

A boat ride on the waters of Ichamoti is an activity which I surely cannot miss for speed sketching. I sketched the house of the the fishermen, their boats ,trees near  the shore, boats dancing in the high tide. The murmuring sound of the water and a boatman singing some folk tune enchanted my creative spirit. I spent a lovely day observing, painting,sketching  a variety of birds, trees, sailing boats,motor boats etc.

After completion of my fine art related job wholeday long , I enjoyed rolls, ghugnis ,sweets and tea on the shores of Ichamoti in the evening . It was quite relaxing. As an avid fan of prawn I also tried some prawn items here. Taki is also well known for prawn.

While returning home ,I noticed this beautiful old structure near Taki Municipality. I decided that I will paint it very soon. Yesterday I have made it. In this painting I have applied scarlet lake, lemon yellow,prussian blue,burnt sienna,hooker’s green,and payne’s grey.

A Village scene from my sketch book

© Shubhankar  Adhikari 

pen on paper 

To develop your art sketching is very important .  If you want to improve your art ,then sketch a lot . Sketching on regular basis will improve your power to compose. Do lots of doodles also. 

Watercolour Landscape - near Chandil, Jharkhand

© Shubhankar  Adhikari (Artist ) 2013

watercolour painting on handmade paper (11" x 15")

Way to Mirik, Darjeeling, North Bengal

© Shubhankar  Adhikari (Artist )2013

Art of watercolour on paper

Happy to share my recent artwork on Darjeeling, India.  

Kolkata Cityscape - Victoria Memorial Hall

© Shubhankar  Adhikari (Artist )

Watercolour painting on paper ( 11" x 7" )

This is my recent painting on Kolkata cityscape. I always liked the architectural style of Victoria Memorial Hall. I am happy with the outcome of this artwork.In this work I have applied little bit of lemon yellow,sap green,payne's grey,prussian blue and olive green. 

Presently Victoria Memorial Hall is one of the most prominent building and also an art museum of Calcutta,under the Department of Culture ,Government of India.

How to develop your painting skills - Eleven tips

© Shubhankar  Adhikari (Artist )

watercolour painting on paper ( 11" x 7" )


How to develop your painting skills - Eleven tips

1.  Practice a lot.
2. Try to use the best tools you can afford for your artworks.
3. Try to visit the art fair and galleries regularly.
4. Mix with other fellow artists and exchange your views with them.
5. Draw or paint regularly.
6. Plan well before starting your art work.
7. Read good books on art.
8. Travel new places to increase your creative spirit.
9. Limit your palette to increase concentration.
10. Try to develop your own style
11. Listen soft instrumental music in the background while working.

A Red House - watercolour & pen

© Shubhankar  Adhikari (Artist ) 2013

Watercolour painting on paper 

Here in this work I applied pen and watercolour on catrige paper.

Sketching with Indian Ink and brush

© Shubhankar Adhikari (Artist ) 2013

Ink and brush on paper (7" x 11")

Last time when I visited Chinsurah (a historical Dutch colonial town placed in Hooghly district, West Bengal , India ) , I noticed many beautifully structured houses . I took some snaps . Later I made some speed sketches with brush and Indian ink on paper. Sharing one of them with you. 

Semi -Abstract Naturescape

© Shubhankar  Adhikari (Artist) 2013

watercolour painting on handmade paper (7" x 11")

Completed this painting last night. Happy to share with you all. 

Landscape in watercolour and ink

© Shubhankar  Adhikari (Artist) 2013

watercolour on paper

Townscape

© Shubhankar  Adhikari 2013 (Artist)

watercolour painting on paper 

Kolkata Cityscape - Cruiser on Hooghly river near Princep Ghat

© Shubhankar  Adhikari

Title - Cruiser on Hooghly river

watercolour paintings on paper

Happy to share with you all my first post of 2013.This painting was done by me last year.  Year 2012 was incredibly busy for me. I hope 2013 will be much busier,happier and peaceful for everyone.

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.