Behind the Canvas: My Creative Process

Every painting begins long before brush touches canvas. It starts with observation — a play of light on water, the geometry of a temple facade, or the color of Karnataka's red earth after rain.

The Sketch Phase

I keep multiple sketchbooks going at any time. Quick gestural drawings capture the energy of a moment, while more considered studies work out composition and value relationships. Not every sketch becomes a painting, but every painting begins as a sketch.

Choosing the Medium

The subject often dictates the medium. Landscapes with subtle atmospheric effects call for the slow, luminous layering of oils. Urban scenes with bold energy work better in fast-drying acrylics. And there's something about flowers that demands the transparency of watercolor.

Building the Painting

I work from general to specific — blocking in large shapes and values first, then gradually refining details. The most important decisions happen in the first 30 minutes. If the composition and color harmony aren't working at the big-shape level, no amount of detail will save it.

Knowing When to Stop

This is perhaps the hardest skill. A painting can go from "almost there" to "overworked" in a single brushstroke. I've learned to step back frequently, view the work from across the room, and trust my instincts about when a piece is complete.

The Joy of Creating

After years of painting, the thrill of creating something new never fades. Each blank canvas is a possibility, each brushstroke a decision that shapes the final work. It's a privilege to spend my days this way, and an even greater privilege to share these paintings with you.