Indian Miniature Painting 6 - 8 - Landscape

These last few classes are about the details - in my case there are plenty of tree leaves to add. As mentioned before there are more details to add and less standing to do for this painting. The small amount of shading are done on the cow and the person on the tree's clothes and also the tree trunks. These are subtle way of brushing very light colour again and again in the same area to create a subtle shade or line and it is extremely delicate and beautiful when done right, a skill I am yet to master still.

On the other hand there are many details to add and I decided to take liberty with my interpretations of how to create these leaves. In the beginning I created a number of different leaves and colours. However, I decided to revisit some of the details to make it look more cohesive and harmonious.

I also started using the miniature brush to add some delicate subtle shading and marks around the leaves to make them stand out.


1. Starting to add leaves to the trees

2. Initial end result - somehow it didn't feel quite right

3. I started to repaint the leaves again in the same shapes but make the variation in colours. One lovely thing about painting these leaves is that I could easily match the colours or vary the shades with the amount of water I mixed the paint in. Therefore I was able to create a variety of subtly changing shades and variety to the painting with just one type of leaf and one colour.

4. Our teacher Sam also asked us to add a gold border around the painting to frame it up properly. We did have to brush up a light yellow line first as the base colour, then it was water and gold paint brushed directly onto the line to create a beautiful (and not so straight) border. After we did it we used a smooth stone to rub the gold gently to make sure it is firmly ingrained onto the paper.

5. I also made a start on painting the person ( or is this a god?) and the cow ( holy?) on the painting under Sam's supervision, to ensure I get the right colour match and painting them in a delicate manner.

6. This is where I got to towards the end of the class. I shaded the branches with my Indian miniature painting brush ( the one tree trunk on the right only) and I still have plenty of blossoms to add. I plan to finish in my own time and share the final artwork here once completed.

Indian Miniature Painting 4 to 5 - Landscape

These classes are about mixing the right colours to get what I want for the painting as the base. It is a solid paint for the sky, trees and the tree barks. Just a note at this stage it is advisable to use a larger sable brush rather than the delicate squirrel miniature brush to fill in the colours.

Here are the steps;

1. starting with the sky I had to mix an unusual blue, which was different to the one on the painting, but i quite like it at the end. I also used indigo with a dry brushed method to create the breezy look of the sky.

2. The next thing to do are the trees, and my teacher suggested that I do a range of greens to add the variations, quite amazing how a couple of yellow and blues and greens can come up with such a variety of greens.

3. The next step was to attempt the tree bark that was filled with a variation of browns, using the based colours.

4. Here is the rough basis for the painting done.

Indian Miniature Painting 3 - Landscape

In this class we are introduced to the making of the watercolours we used in Miniature painting. they are primarily pigments that are grind down and mixed with water and liquid gum Arabic. They are vivid and vibrant colours and a wonderful sight to behold. I have discussed these in the past but they never cease to amaze me.

Briefly the steps;
1. Have a slab of glass ( with a sand blasted texture - you can get this in an art shop), glass muller , palette knife read, together with your chosen pigment, water and gum Arabic.( to bind the pigment so it stays on the paper when it dries)

2 . Put about 4-5 tablespoon of the pigments in the centre of the slab and add 1/2 tablespoon of water and about the same but less amount of gum Arabic to the centre and start grinding, add a bit of water to it at a time until it feels smooth, and has a slightly thick consistence so it is not too thin. Use the palette knife to scrap the paint back to the centre of the slab so it is not running everywhere.



3. Once the paint is ready, we have to test it on a piece of paper, wait for it to dry and try to rub it off. If it gets rubbed off it means the paint needs more gum Arabic to bind it together. So you will need to add a few drop of gum Arabic and grind it and then test it again. When the paint is finally ready you can pour it in a container and it is ready to be used.

Indian Miniature Painting 2 - Landscape

We start learning the usage of the squirrel brush again, it is a hard thing to master but once remembered it feels like the most natural thing to use.

The Indian Miniature brush is made of squirrel hair and could only be bought in India. The supply is limited and I managed to get 4 from previous classes. 

Do note that the qualities do vary and it is also down to how the individual feels and uses his /her brush.  The one on the left with more of a curve was much better and easier to do. One good test to draw circles, the one with more cuve is much easier  to use.  Here is a sequence of pictures in which I tried to captured how the brush works when I attepmt to draw a circle clockwise.

Apparently it is a normal practice to draw circles with the brush prior to any drawing session for up to 30mins, to familiarise with the use of the brush again. It is largely believed that it calms and clears the mind, and prepares one into the meditative act of painting. It is also the same movement one uses to shade the details. For this particular class though I have a bit more limited use of the shading techniques but more of using the tip to draw very fine, tiny leaves.