Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Spicing Up the Sketch Book


A Day in the Life - Sketchbook project page 25 color pencils 

The spice box has a place of honor in an Indian Kitchen and I treasure mine :) I knew from the beginning that I wanted to include it in my sketchbook project

I approached the subject with lots of anxiety but  really loved sketching my special shiny Indian Spice Box, its contents as well as the red peppers, tomatoes, lemons, chilies etc.  The different textures, colors, sizes and shapes were fun and a huge challenge to sketch.  The decision to just sketch the objects and not worry about background was freeing.  I learned that paying attention to  the mass of each variety of spice and hinting about the space between most individual mustard/cumin/coriander/dal gave the finished image more unified look. Spraying the finished sketch with Krylon Kamar varnish was a good idea too. Even though better  quality paper might have made a difference,  I am glad I put forth a lot of effort and time into this particular sketch :) 

18 comments:

Carol Blackburn said...

Ummm, some of my favorite smells of spices inclued thyme, rosemary, cinnamon, and ginger. Neat sketching.

Meera Rao said...

Thanks Carol! what will we do without those wonderful spices and herbs :)

padmaja said...

Oggarane dabba as it is called in kannada has always been an interesting piece in my kitchen.. such a lovely subject to paint with the spices filled in.. beautiful sketch Meera!

Heera said...

You have done a great job with the spice container. I love how you made it look metalic yet with no metalic paints! Amazing.

Meera Rao said...

Padmaja, thank you :) Oggarane dabba definitely rules the kitchen - doesn't it? I am glad I plunged into sketching it - it was a fun challenge.

Meera Rao said...

Thank you, Heera, you made my day :) It was interesting exercise in capturing the reflections and light!

Kathy Staicer said...

What a great sketch. When I look at it I can see some of the simple pleasures of life. You really captured a moment in time.

Meera Rao said...

Kathy, Thanks :) I have discovered that I like to sketch the ordinary - everyday things!

Kalyan said...

Beautifully done sketch...neat, detailed and artistic with the colours coming out well!

Meera Rao said...

Thank you Kalyan! I think familiarity of the subject by using it everyday definitely helped me :)

Sadami said...

Dear Meera,
Very lovely work! It's SHINING like you. Your work is always charming. I heartily hope your project will go well. Hang in there! Enjoy them all.
Best wishes,Sadami

Meera Rao said...

Sadami, thank you very much! I actually finished the book last april and its at the Art House Library physically and also in digital form :) If you click on the colored word 'my sketchbook project' you will see the digital copy :)

Unknown said...

This is a wonderful drawing! I love the combination of colors in the center, and the way they are arranged is so pleasant to the eye, and then more circles and curves going up to the corners... it's very nice! I'm curious how the spray affects the colors. Does it smooth the surface and make everything shiny, or does it make the piece look more like a painting? I've never tried spraying before!

Meera Rao said...

Thanks Katherine :) That means a lot to me -- I spend a lot of time figuring out shapes and colors but never am sure if I am on the right track - especially since I tend to change things quite drastically as I am painting or drawing and throwing my whole planning off!

Regarding spraying -- the sketch book was the first time I sprayed my color pencil pieces-- As I was working I found that handling the book, because of the quality of the paper, I was smudging or taking off color; also saw the color transferring to the facing page. Thinking (foolishly) that the book might be handled many times at the Art House (grand total of two, so far!) I thought I should think about some remedy!!! After much research I sprayed all the pages and was very pleased with the results. It made the pages stiffer too and I must say the colors looked deeper and more like a painting! I also have two watercolor paintings on Fredrix watercolor canvas that I sprayed - they are hanging with no glass --looking more like oil or acrylic paintings! Before spraying you just have to be sure you are not going back in to fix or add something :)

Thaikaden said...

It reminded me of my friend's kitchen, when I was in Bangalore. Nice work.

Meera Rao said...

@Thaikaden, thank you! Is it not found in kitchens in Kerala too?

Edgeworth Johnstone said...

Excellent drawing, I like the writing underneath, the look of it as well. Artists sketch books are fascinating. I have a copy of Frida Kahlo's which I find as stunning as her paintings in different ways.

Meera Rao said...

Thank You, Edgeworth Johnstone :) I too like sketch books with writing -but I get too tight with my writing --have to learn to loosen up and write in calligraphy to add to design and take it one notch up ! -some day :)

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