Navn Again

Navin, Charcoal on Paper, 15" X 11"

One more portrait sketch of my friend Navin from life, this time in charcoal. This time I feel its a much closer likeness. 
Thanks for stopping by.

Navin

Navin, Oil on Canvas, 18" X 12.5"

This is a portrait of my friend Navin done from life yesterday afternoon. It was a wonderful experience and I am sure I have learnt a lot of things from thi unconsciously. I was really hoping that I would capture the likeness to the best of my ability so that he is not disappointed. In the end he was quite happy .... although I can certify that he is much better looking than this ;)
Thanks Navin and thanks everyone for stopping by. Comments and critiques please :)

Self Portrait using a mirror

Self Portrait, Oil on Paper, 15" X 11"

Lately I have been trying to take every opportunity of painting from life, especially landscapes (I have always painted still lives from life). But when speaking of portraiture, you need someone else who is equally enthusiastic as you are (which, in my limited experience, is quite difficult). So I am planning to do a few more of these self portraits using a mirror in different lighting situations and orientations. That way I hope to ensure I will be in good nick when someone finally agrees to pose and wont disappoint them :). The likeness here is quite close, but not perfect.
Thank you for stopping by. All comments and critiques are welcome :)  

Grey Cap

Grey Cap, Charcoal on Paper, 15" X 11" 

I have not done charcoal for a while now. Did this one today morning from a small photo I had taken with my phone. I think the best part of charcoal is that one need not worry about colour and can concentrate on getting the values perfectly right. I am never too confident with my colour and prefer to atleast stay loyal to the values. Its precisely for this that charcoal is a relief for me after a series of failed paintings ;)

Ameya

Ameya, Oil on Paper, 15" X 11"

This is my first serious sketch of my son, Ameya. I have done a few in pencil before but I think here I have captured the likeness almost perfectly. I now feel I should have softened the line of the hair on his right temple.
All comments and critiques are most welcome.

Rangaiah

Rangaiah, Charcoal on Paper, 15" X 11"

Another charcoal sketch :)

Shantaram

Shantaram, Charcoal on Paper, (15" X 11")

This is a portrait of a roadside fruit vendor near my place in Hyderabad. I tried a bit of abstraction here with the forehead merging in the background on the left side. I find charcoal a very flexible medium and quite amenable to such experimentation.
Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about this piece.
Thanks for visiting my blog.

Old Man

"Old Man", Oil on Canvas, (18" X 14") 

I am posting on my blog after a long time. Have been doing lots of drawings lately, but nothing really good enough to be put up here. As always, comments and critiques are most welcome.
Thank you so much for stopping by.

Tribal Boy .... Again!

Tribal Boy, Charcoal on Paper, (11.7" X 16.5") 

Added a little more definition to the ear using an oil pastel. Hopefully that makes the drawing look more complete.

All comments are most welcome. Thanks for stopping by.

Tribal Boy

Tribal Boy, Charcoal on Paper, (11.7" X 16.5") 

This boy belongs to the Bhil community of Maharashtra. Historically they were tribals but now they speak the local languages and participate in all walks of life. Nevertheless, they make great subjects for paintings. :)

All comments and critiques are most welcome.