Praying_finished

This is the completed version of 'Praying Old Man'...
12"x16"

Prayers_WIP

This is a work-in-progress on an old man's portrait. He was praying to the Sun , standing ankle deep in the waters of the Ganga river in my hometown Rishikesh , with hand joined in the gesture of 'namaskar'. I started this portrait some days ago and now I am hopeful of finishing it in this week

pencil on paper, 12"x16"

The White Rose

I started working on this rose way back in february,but couldn't complete it because it required a lot of time and longer sittings.I did the background in many layers till I got the right shades.It took a lot of self motivation and many  more hours to post it here today!

graphic pencils on cartrige paper 16"x12"

Praying

Prayers_WIP

A sketch in progress...an old lady praying at the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh,India.

In Black and White

I started this sketch because I wanted to draw someone beautiful...but soon realized my mistake of not choosing the 'right' subject! ( She is Alicia Silverstone, but I did not work on the likeness factor very much, here-- so you may not recognise her!) The problem was that her face did not have any shades..no gradients to work upon - so it got a little boring and I decided to speed up things and get over with it! I hate leaving something unfinished, so I did complete this sketch, but honestly, not much time was spent on this one. About 2 hours.I think I need to find better paper...this cartridge paper shows through so much that dark tones are spoiled. I can't achieve the desired smoothness... Any suggestions?

practice...charcoal

A quick sketch in charcoal pencil on paper.

Having Fun

A pencil sketch of my 10 year old son Arjun, enjoying blowing bubbles!
14"x12"; graphic pencils on cartridge paper

I have been indulging in colors lately, and pencil has taken a backseat for some time!

This 15 minute sketch might revive my love for my pencil!

street urchin

A page from my sketchbook...

Dark Stairs

There seems to be some mystery involved here...the darkness underneath...and the shabby, aged steps leading into the light!

The Maharani

Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, who died last Wednesday at the age of 90. She was once included in Vogue magazine's Ten Most Beautiful Women . Very few people can look so stunningly beautiful even in their old age.One of the last remaining symbols of India's feudal past, Ms. Devi and her husband, the Maharajah of Jaipur, ruled over a fief of some two million peasants" before independence. She also participated in India's burgeoning democracy, being elected to parliament three times and serving from 1962 until 1975.

A tribute ....