Dubai, 2011: In an earlier article on art launch at the Address Hotel Kamba Art Café, I introduced a few artists who were showcasing their work.  Some of them are part of the art group Artisans of the Emirates (ARTE), others showcase their work at the Majlis Art Gallery.

Overtime, as a result of constant exposure to artwork, I have felt the calling to return to painting after a gap of 12 years.

Alvin discusses the various strokes that he used in his amazing water lotus painting. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa

My jewelry line will have a life of its own. But the call towards taking up painting culminated in my taking a fresher workshop in watercolours, by veteran artist, fashion designer and interior designer Alvin Apolonio. Hopefully this will lead me towards the road of botanical and anatomical paintings, something that I used to indulge in all those years ago.

Alvin demonstrates the various strokes used in water colours. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa

Well Alvin thinks that I have it in me to become a watercolour artist. Thank you! I’m looking forward to taking some botanical painting lessons later this year, by a world renowned botanical artist, at the Majlis art gallery.

My first try at the strokes. Very murky. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa

My second try had me more comfortable in using the paintbrush after a gap of 12 years. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa

 

 

  • If you are serious of taking up water colour painting, you have to ensure that you continuously practise. Drawing skills are very important
  • While there is no shortcut towards becoming a pro,  your passion and interest is what will help you move forward.
  • Tube paints and transparent paints are recommended for bigger paintings
  • The first stroke on the watercolour painting is very important. So ensure that you have scrap paper with you at all times.
  • Preparation is also important. If you are working on a huge surface area with a particular colour, best to mix enough colour with water and store them in small cups that have covers. So when you need to add more of that colour, perhaps the next day, you still have that colour tone readily available.
  • Watercolour painting is by far the most difficult, when compared to oil paints or even acrylics. The concept of ‘white’ in watercolours is non-existent. With oils and acrylics, at least you can hide mistakes with a spot of white paint.

I first traced the outline of the rose on the transparency paper. Then with the use of a spoon with a square edge, we ‘rub’ the design in. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa

 

Alvin shows how to create the delicate ‘veins’ of the rose. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa

 

The art exhibition is organized by Black Sheep art studios co-owner, Carrie, and the workshops are also organized by artists who are showcasing their work. If you would like to know more, contact Carrie though the Black Sheep art facebook page.

 

Each student had a different painting to work from. This was the painting that I used. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa

This is the result of my work. The veins are too thick, but not bad overall! Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa

 

 

 

 

And here questions of type such if honestly strike me not much as I wrote everything higher. It is visible you simply you don’t want to read all this. As my parrot does.