SOLD - 30 Things about me - #9

Onions
Oil on Board, 6 by 6 inches
SOLD

30 Things about me - #9 - I am a vegetarian

I have always been a vegetarian, grew up in a vegetarian household. I can just live on salads and the likes. But more than all that, I wanted to paint these onions today :P 

I usually set up my still lifes under bright light, either under direct sunlight or with a strong source of light. I was playing around with this set up with a similar light source but somehow did not like it. When I turned off the light it looked much better. It was a good exercise and one that I should do more. 

30 Paintings in 30 Days - #6

Making heads turn
Oil on board, 18 by 24 cm (approx. 7 by 9.5 inches)

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30 Things about me - #6 - I love painting with the palette knife
Palette knife painting is something I discovered by accident a few years ago. I used to slap paint randomly and really liked the effect. But until last year, I did not pursue it properly. I tried the knife on just about every subject I could find and when they weren't really suited for some, I found myself frustrated. It was then that I decided that I would paint with the knife only when I feel it would work with the image, and not for everything under the sun.

Now I use the knife mainly for doing bird portraits and I find the effects fantastic. The knife gives a texture to the birds that suits the subject so well. There are very many roosters coming this year too.:) I try to mix up paintings with the knife and brushes, so that I don't lose touch with either. Check out a couple of detailed shots below.

Bee Eater - Detail 1

Bee Eater - Detail 2

30 in 30, #1 - Pomegranates and Silver, Original Still Life in Oils

I am very very excited to start the second 30 in 30 challenge this year, hosted by Leslie. In January, I was getting back to painting after a two year break. I was extremely rusty and could complete only 11 paintings in 30 days. I was too ambitious on a few days, starting bigger sized paintings that took me more than a day to finish. I am definitely at a better place this time and would aim to do 30 paintings. I am also sticking to the standard size of 6 by 6 inches so that they all look good together. I do not want to waste precious time in deciding what size to paint on. 

I am currently in India visiting family and would get back to Germany only on the 5th. I had planned to paint 5 pieces in advance before I left Germany itself. That never happened, because there was always something else popping up. So I painted these here in India, setting up a very simple still life on my mom's kitchen counter. Pomegranates are subjects that I have never painted before, mainly because they are hardly available in Germany. They are so rare and expensive. This gorgeous and yummy fruit however is abundant in India and these two inspired me to get going today. 

Pomegranates and silver
Oil on board, 6 by 6 inches
$50.00
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My theme for the challenge would be "A little bit of red". Well not exactly a little bit, sometimes a bit more too :-) I was not very keen on picking a theme, what I intend to focus on instead is specific areas in which I need improvement. I can't wait to see what the others have to post, it's going to be a great month! 

What's that? - Oil painting of children in Summer

I have a thing for kids with curly hair. I find them irresistible! And that's what caught my attention first about this little girl too, that big bush on her head.:)

What's that!
Oil on Canvas, 5 by 7 inches
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Mommy's girl - Textured paintings of children in summer

Tagging along with mommy. This painting is textured, it has been painted with the palette knife. I loved doing the little girl's dress with the knife, it was just perfect for it. Let me know what you think.

Mommy's girl
Oil on board, 6 by 6 inches
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Evening glow - textured floral oil painting by Nithya Swaminathan, 6 by 6 inches

This floral is done from a reference that I clicked at an amusement park last summer. We were done with all the rides and were too tired just waiting to get home, when I spotted this gorgeous bunch of tulips. And then with a renewed shot of energy, I captured them in every angle I could and delayed the trip back home by 15 minutes. :) The things these flowers do to you!

Evening glow
Oil on board, 6 by 6 inches
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Reading by the lake VIII - Original Figurative Painting in Oils, 9 by 12 inches

One more in my "Reading by the lake" series. The whole idea of reading at peace in a public place kind of fascinates me. It is unimaginable in India, considering the level of noise and crowd around. That's probably the reason why I am drawn to these references. :-) There are a few more to come.

Reading by the Lake VIII
Oil on Panel, 9 by 12 inches.
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Click here to bid.

"Sunday Headlines" - Original Figurative Oil Painting with Textured, 9 by 12 inches

Continuing with my reading series. Painted with the palette knife on birch panel.

Sunday Headlines
Oil on Panel, 9 by 12 inches
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Perched with a Popsicle - Painting of children, 9 by 12 inches

Perched with a Popsicle
Oil on Panel, 9 by 12 inches
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Click here to Bid

Color coordinated - Textured Oil painting, 9 by 12 inches

Color Coordinated
Oil on Panel, 9 by 12 inches
$200, Buy on Etsy

Song of dusk - Textured Oil painting, a brand new subject!

I have never been drawn to painting animals. I think it boils down to the fact that I am not too much of an animal lover. Birds interest me though, I have sketched quite a few and done a couple of bird paintings way back even when I used to dabble with colored pencils. And I was drawn to these bird images recently, just to give a shot at a new subject. It was also a challenge to myself, just to see how much detail I could bring in only with the knife. And on that count I must say I am really pleased with the result! 

When I paint with the knife, I tend to work really quick, quicker than with the brush. I took it rather slow with this piece, because I did not want to less it up. I wanted to bring in as much detail as possible to the feathers and the form of the bird. What a beauty she/he is! Everything including the eye and the white little dot was done only with the knife and I gave myself a pat on the back. :) 

Song of dusk
Oil on Board, 6 by 6 inches (palette knife)
© Nithya Swaminathan
$100 and ships free worldwide
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This painting was actually done before my vacation, and I just realized that I had not blogged it at all. And I listed it today on Etsy. I logged in to Etsy after more than a month and was pleasantly surprised to see the changes in the listing process. Listing was Etsy's only pain point and the change is brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!

It is a recent favorite of mine, and I would be pleased to hear what you think of this piece. 

Springtime Indulgence - And there's some more berries coming your way!

This is the last of my strawberry paintings in this set. As of now. Who knows, before the season ends, I might give them a go again. This one is only very slightly different in arrangement from Toppled. There is in fact no change in the arrangement, only in the angle in which it has been painted. This one has a bit more stronger light, which of course I love. 

Springtime Indulgence
Oil on Board, 6 by 6 inches
$100 including shipping
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Here is how the painting would look framed, with a chunky black and gold frame.How do you like it?

Springtime Indulgence
Framing Suggestion

Very Berry - Some more strawberries in Oils

Those who know my still lifes, don't you also know that the top view is my favorite? Hell yeah, I am a complete sucker for the top view, of objects I mean. :-) So soon after I finished painting Toppled, from life, I captured a few images of the set up from different viewpoints, one of which is the quintessential top angle. 

Very Berry
Oil on Hardboard, 6 by 6 inches
$100 and ships free worldwide
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There is one more strawberry still life coming, but this one is my favorite among the three. I especially like how the coffee mug turned out in this one, more than the fruit itself. Do you like it? Why not write to me with some comments? I love to hear from you!

Very Berry
Oil on Hardboard, 6 by 6 inches
Framing suggestion

Let me leave you with a framing suggestion. I love chunky frames as this one and love to see my art in them, even if it is only a collage :) Frames are not included in the price of the painting, this is only a suggestion. I would be very happy to guide you in choosing a frame though, just write in and let me know!

Toppled - Luscious, yummy strawberries!

Spring in Germany is synonymous with Strawberries and Asparagus. And as luck would have it, I eat neither. I do not like the strawberry flavor at all and do not consume it in any form. My little one on the other hand loves this fruit. With or without cream she gobbles them up. So we bought a bunch of them and both of us were happy. I set them up first, paint them and then she gets to eat them. The husband sure knows how to keep both women in good spirits. :D

I wanted a simple set up, as usual, and picked up my black coffee mug to contrast the luscious red pieces of fruit. The little reflection on the mug awas a bonus due to good sunlight. This one was painted alla prima from life. 

Toppled
Oil on Board, 6 by 6 inches
$100 and ships FREE. Click here to Buy.

And by the way, this spring I have ventured into some gardening and we have a little strawberry plant growing at home. So the next time I feel like painting some berries, I hopefully just have to pluck them and not have to go to buy them. Long time for that, but let's hope anyway.

Splashing Around - Sun, sands and some kids!

While I can sit for hours together all alone at a beach, the other thing that I greatly enjoy is children playing in the sand and water. It makes me very nostalgic and I get transported back to my childhood when playing with cousins and friends at the beach was such a regular affair. I loved this boy running around in the water. 

Splashing Around
Oil on Board, 6 by 6 inches
$100 and ships FREE. Click here to Buy.

I added the bigger male figure in the front to bring in more distance into the frame. I was quite in a double mind whether or not to add the bigger figure, then went for it. What do you think of it? Do you like the painting? Do let me know.

Crossing Paths - More fun on the beach

As soon as I finished Sand Castles and Looking at the Horizons, I was in that zone and had this urge to paint a couple of more pictures of children. And this was the outcome! Let me know what you think.

Crossing Paths
Oil on Board, 6 by 6 inches
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Daffodils #2 - Celebrating Spring and an Indian win!

I was not really planning to paint today, as I had so much work and there was a crucial cricket match going on between India and Australia. I was so occupied the whole day and the match was more important than anything else. For those who do not know, I love watching sports. Cricket, Tennis and Formula 1, in that order. 

Daffodils #2
Oil on Board, 6 by 6 inches
$100 and ships FREE, click here to Buy

Daffodils #2
Framing suggestion.

It is common knowledge that when you want something really bad, the whole universe conspires to make it happen. I did not really want to paint today, but the universe conspired nevertheless. We were having some issues with our work systems, and India were looking to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the match. To keep myself sane and not keep swearing at the cricket players on the TV, I went into my studio for refuge. :) 

It so turned out that just after I switched off the TV and went in to paint, the match swung in India's favour and we pulled off an awesome win. Hurray! We have now sent the three times World Champions packing home! So being the superstitious self that I am (only when it comes to matches), I'll probably follow this pattern for the next couple of matches too. But then, I may not. Why give up on some excitement. Anyway, I am thrilled today and quite happy with the painting too. Let me know what you think! 

Blue and Orange #2 - Original Still Life

Have I told you how I paint? Mostly sitting on the floor. Not even mostly, make that close to 95%. Unless I am extremely motivated to stand in front of the easel or sit at the table, I perch myself in a cozy corner on the floor and I can stay put for as long as I want. 

So I was sitting with this still life from Blue and Orange in front of me. And in between the session, I just got up to fetch myself some coffee and was taking a critical look at my work in progress. It so happened that I also glanced at the set up itself, from above and liked it even better. Thank God I did not stop my previous painting half way and start with this one.

Blue and Orange #2

Oil on Canvas, 5 by 7 inches

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As soon as I wrapped up Blue and Orange, I rearranged some of my stuff and painted this one standing at the easel for a change, for it was a top view that I was painting. An oblique top view infact. And I like this one much better. By then I was a little familiar with the whole "mix anew and lay each stroke" approach, besides the painting itself being smaller. I like this one quite a bit. Which one do you like? Do let me know! 

Too Deep? - Impressions of a European Summer

This lady is one of my favorite references in this series. I loved her pose, how she was treading carefully and slowly into the water. And the light and shade of course. While the dancers are mostly people with figures to die for, this series is more about "normal" people. If I were to paint myself, this is how I would look, quite out of shape. That's what makes this series appeal to me as a viewer, and as a painter approaching each image. If every woman I painted had an hourglass figure, I am sure I'd get bored too soon!

Too Deep?
Oils on board, 18 by 24 cms (7.1 by 9.4 inches)
© Nithya Swaminathan
$120 + shipping, Click here to Buy

This is one of my favorite paintings from the series. :) Let me know what you think.

Cursory Glances - New Oil Painting

I am having a ball of a time with all these figures, the human figure is indeed the most exciting thing to paint. I get the feeling that my sketching is getting a little better as well and I am not struggling with proportions.  And after all the textured work, this is a nice break with just the brushes, just enjoying the flow of the brush on canvas. Hope you like it!

Cursory Glances
Oil on board, 18 by 24 cms (7.1 by 9.4 inches)
© Nithya Swaminathan
$120 + shipping, Click here to Buy