Project painting - 'Portrait of the Kaneri flower' - Oleander portrait

A 'Close Encounter' with a flower happened when I painted this close-up of the 'kaneri flower' - also called Oleander flower in English -  to send it as an entry to a project called 'Portrait of a flower'. This is an acrylic painting of size 10.5"x 7.5".

This April project was set by Marion Boddy-Evans - the Guide to painting on the about.com website. The about.com website is a New York Times Company undertaking, and is a treasure trove of information for many subjects including painting.

I am very happy to note that Marion Boddy Evans has liked my painting. She has especially liked the background texture created by variation in color and tones. She has made special mention of the shadow of this flower. She says that 'this is a shadow with visual intrigue in color and mark making'. She has also noted that I have not used black color to paint the shadow of the flower. I have infact used darker shades of purples and pinks to create the shadow.

Click here to view the actual painting that I had submitted for the April project and also the detailed comments of the project Guide Marion Boddy Evans in the about.com painting website.

Painting of young boys playing cricket.

'YOUNG CRICKETERS'- is an acrylic painting of size 16"x12", done in the impressionist style.

I felt that painting a scene of young boys playing cricket on the wayside was a must do for the 'Body Lanuage of India' series, as this is a very common sight here in India. So here it is.

In this scene note the body language of two boys playing cricket in the hot sun, one with bat in hand and the other probably shouting instructions at the bowler. This is a scene at mid-day, with the sun just overhead, and hence the shadows are seen just below them. Also notice the expression of total concentration on the boy's (with the bat) face, as he waits for the ball to be bowled towards him. Their cycle is also seen casually resting on the brick wall close to them.