Pencil Secret

Every picture comprises of a two- dimensional frame divided into many shapes. The number of these shapes should be at the most ten to twelve- lesser the number of shapes, the more effective the painting becomes. If the number increases, all shapes cannot be seen at a glance; and this detracts from the overall beauty.

Prior to painting, we normally make a pencil drawing. This is made of lines, and is known as Line Composition. Though it may appear quite pretty as a drawing, it may not stand out so much after painting-the reason being that we have not been thinking in terms of value composition. The colors used also have values corresponding with their tones. When different tones are placed in relation to one another, different shapes are generated which affect the composition. While line composition is seen in the top picture, the figure below it shows changes brought about by adding tonal values. The shapes generated in a painting by tonal values should balance one another. There are three major tones seen in a painting-Dark tones (Black), Middle tones (Grey) and Light tones (White). The dark of the middle windows and the small dark patches of the left and right doors and elsewhere balance each other. The middle and light tones are not that dispersed. The shapes generated by them are adjacent and c...

Every picture needs at least one point of attraction, our eyes "enter' the picture. move all over it and finally rest at some part which interests us the most. This point of attraction makes the picture effective. Without such a point, the eye would just roam disinterestedly within the picture. (Or it might even go out.) Merely pleasant atmosphere, favorite subject of choice, or mood are not enough to make us begin a painting. In addition, there is also some other component that attracts us to the particular view; it might be a dried twisted tree against the setting sun, a rock formation, the light on a window casting a pretty shadow or a temple-spire thrust in the blue skies. Such an aspect makes us want to take up the painting, and that is the point of attraction. Generally, the darkest or the lightest part in a picture, or the contrast between the dark and light rivets our attention, and forms the point of attraction.

When the elements in a picture are kept separately, their shapes also remain unrelated. This makes the arrangement (and picture) dull and uninteresting. Instead, if we move the objects in such a way that their planes cross and overlap, this asymmetric layout relates the forms to one another. Binding the forms, it makes the composition interesting. While linking the shapes in a picture thus, care should be taken that no shape 'overpowers' or mars another. A shape in the foreground should not completely block off the edges and contours of those behind. The interlinking is meant to blend and merge in a harmonious whole, to create an interesting pattern.

Drawing is the basis of painting. Once this foundation is sound, one can readily build on it, whether in the Realistic or Abstract style. Sketching is the beginning of drawing. The purposes of undertaking sketching are quite a few: sketching helps to 'loosen up' our hands, and helps retaining any ideas or concepts for future reference. It also helps one to arrange the components for a composition, as preparatory for a painting, or for determining the values in a composition. Last, but not the least, sketching can be a joy in its own right. Quite often, a pencil or pen-and-ink sketch has proved to be an independent picture in itself. Sketching gives a new depth of understanding to one's eyes. It is not just a matter of practice for one's hands only. My paintings often have houses, wadas (old traditional buildings), remnants of buildings, ruins and such scenes of everyday life shown to such an extent that I am frequently asked: "How come we never noticed it, though w...

Composition is the specific arrangement of components or shapes in the picture, considering their interrelationship. One would do well to remember that in painting we are not to exactly copy on paper all details that we see. Such a job could easily be done by a camera as well. A painting on the other hand should aim at being an independent work of art as a whole, with a beauty of its own that is more than the sum of its parts. Every photograph does not become a work of art by mere faithfulness to details. It is finally arranging the elements in a particular way, that adds a touch of beauty to a picture. Paintings are our medium to achieve a dialogue with the viewer. Therefore, the composition should be in tune with our feelings and emotions. It reflects our experience on viewing a scene. This, along with our mental frame as an artist, goes together towards making our picture 'speak'. Even if each composition is totally subjective, that is, varying from person to person, there a...