I didn't realize that i'd get to like watercolours to a great extent. I'm starting to fancy it very much. The medium is awesome to work with. I don't know why, but i don't like to experiment with other media presently. And i don't think i have the time to start experimenting too.

Yes, i can't do the details very well with watercolours and you have hazy paintings with blurred effects at times. The way in which i view them when compared to oils or acrylics is very different. But i guess, those are the characters of the medium which attract me.

I have been to the NGMA (National Gallery for Modern Art) before, when it was opened to the public. But that was years ago.

If i remember correctly, it was known as the Manikyavelu (i don't know if i've spelt it correctly) Mansion prior to it being christened the NGMA. The mansion was renovated over a period of two-three years while i was studying at MCC. In those days, i used to see it everyday. The environs is pleasant. Stark white buildings in the midst of greenery.

It's a paradise for an art-lover. One should have lots of time in hand if one wants to see all the collections. I don't remember much of my previous visit as it was a hurried one, but i want to visit it once again.

I admit here that i don't know anything of the new-age processing of photos, the softwares used, the (super) kind of cameras available for this purpose.

I was seeing pictures on blogs, a few days ago. The photos had undergone some processing which made them appear like acrylic paintings that I've seen. The usage of bright colors, a surrealistic look and some detailing.

This is my opinion. Somehow i don't like photos treated the way they are. I don't know, but the 'effect' of a photo disappears once this occurs. The naturalistic feel. And it does not look like a photograph again.

The Institute may be small, old and not very popular amongst many in Bengaluru. But this week's exhibition presented by our art class was nice. Some of the paintings that were exhibited were really beautiful. This was my second time there.

I don't know why but i haven't glanced at the photographs captured on that day. They are still in my camera waiting to be used. One very memorable event.

At times, i like the Google page for the doodles they put. Very creative and colourful, i should say. Since yesterday they have a guitar on their page. it is played as and when the cursor moves on it's strings. Nice!

Do see it if you haven't already. And play it.

Of the few that i've seen, the works of S N Swamy is brilliant. His sketches have been compiled into a collection published by the Lalit Kala Akademi a few decades ago. And i don't know whether the book is still available for sale.

It's a beautiful book, with about twenty sketches of some of the famous monuments and sculptures in India. I tried searching for the same on the internet, but sadly, they are very few references to him (except that he's been awarded the Padma Shri in 1969 on a Government Of India web page). And absolutely nothing of his sketches.

For those who would want to see good art, i think S N Swamy will really impress you.

It is common to find instant portraits done on the spot at Chitra Santhe, or any art fest. In fact, there was a computerized stall in front of The Bombay Store on M.G. Road. I really don't know how that worked. But, i guess it profited. I don't remember this properly, but they were signed Van Gogh.

I was surprised at this, but then realized that these were quite popular. Van Gogh and this. What comparison!!

We all know how well-known Malgudi Days was, or rather is. I don't think i've watched the entire series, but i would like to. One of the greatest productions of our time. I'm immediately transported to that world on listening to soundtrack which played at the beginning and at the end of each episode. The ta na na na....

I wish that some channels would air it regularly, otherwise a huge population would miss out a legacy. Today's kids would enjoy it the way we did. Running behind Swami, listening to his grandmother's stories, and eating sweetmeats at Jagan's Stall.

I never in my life, had imagined that i'd judge an art event. The past Sunday, i went to PESIT to judge a face-painting event. It was for the first-time and was nice. I had never visited PESIT. But maybe i wanted to see it some day and i liked the way the building was designed.

I still remember the time when it was being built. It was a first-of-it's-kind and something very new to Bengaluru then. No other building came close to it.

One of my past times these days is to browse through watercolors available on the internet. Boy, are they beautiful!! Of course, i don't like all of them, but most are really good. It's such a pleasure looking at them, really.

What use of colours, 'the transparent effect' of watercolours, the brushwork, the dilute shades used, amazing stuff.

Before Chitra Santhe, I wanted to take snaps of all my paintings, individually. To remember all that was displayed, for which i didn't have the time. I couldn't do that, as i was struggling to arrange my work till afternoon on that day. I was near the Golf Grounds and the wind blew quite hard making my paintings loose their tags easily. I was tired of this.

In the evening, a couple came along and bought a sketch of the Buddha. All the while i thought i had a photo of it. Only to realise that i never had any of it. I regret this so much. A first, and i don't have a picture of it.

Yesterday's Chitra Santhe was a special one. My participation in that event was for the first time (and hopefully not the last). I had a wonderful time there, and spoke to new people of their paintings and such. I saw some amazing paintings of landscapes, in different media and was bowled over. It's a wonder how artists capture scenes of daily life and create reality. The variety of people, paintings and everything else was good. the organizers had done a good job. And the Chitra Kala Parishath looked colourful, bright and milled with people.

Frankly, out of the some that i've done, mother likes my sketch of the Qutub Minar a lot. And when i added it to the collection that was to be on display, she was disappointed. But, nobody took that and she was happy.

I'll always remember the last week and yesterday. It means a lot to me. Including the small forgettable arguments that i had with one of the students there. I'm still living that time.

This week has been hectic. I understand the week is not yet over, but i do know that i'll get all the more busy which'll eventually end on Sunday. And though i hurt myself physically in the process, i'm happy. Very. I'm to realise one of my most cherished desires (partially, that is; but nevertheless, i'm still doing something regarding it). Amidst all the work that i have on my hands, i never thought of this. But since this morning, on finally realising this, i'm excited. Super.

When i see beautiful photographs of green trees, waterfalls, spring, the like, (mostly on random pages on the internet) i tend to imagine their appearance when painted. Yes, i understand that not all photographs make good paintings, only some qualify.

But, the few that i think can be painted, i wish to do so. And again not all can be be used for the various media. I'm currently concentrating on watercolours, simply because i like this particular medium a lot.

Yesterday, i'd been to the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (KCP) to enqire about next years 'Chitra Santhe'. When i was given an application form for the same, i was also compelled to buy a calender which had Professor Roerich and his son's paintings. And i didn't like it one bit.

I understand that Roerich is quite a phenomenon in the area of visual arts, no offence meant, but the KCP shouldn't force people to take copies of his paintings. I did tell my opinion to the office staff. There's a nominal amount set aside as registration fee which is logical enough. But i think that it shouldn't be accompanied by these so called 'complimentary stuff' (if i can put it) which has to be paid for.

What about us artists who pursue art as a hobby and can't spend good money on flimsy material?

Now that i've improved a bit on my ability to draw and paint, i've become protective of them. Quite obvious. I wouldn't want all and sundry to see them. I don't know if this makes sense to a second or third person, but it matters quite a lot to the artiste (if i may put it).

Maybe that's the reason why i hesitate to put them on a public domain.

I'm glad i'm learning painting. I really never assumed that i'd like it much. And i'm happy with the environment that's present during classes.

One of the most beautiful paintings that has been painted on the walls along the roads of Bengaluru are the ones near the Hudson Circle. Walls belonging to the BBMP office to be exact. Artists have done splendid Warli paintings. Earthern shades, stick figures, pleasant folk art adorn these walls.

Do view them when you take that road. It's beautiful.

Since the last few days, i've been been hooked up with quite a few chores. With little time to do what i like to do, i miss them. Like relishing a fresh cup of tea, reading an interesting book, watching a good movie. I'm happy that my art activities have not ceased.

Somehow i think i want to believe that time brings in events that we would perhaps appreciate later and feel nice about it.

My current art class is better than the previous one, as per me. I really can't point out the reason. I absolutely can't rule out the learning from my early days. My basics were learnt from there (i'm glad i did that), which i apply now.

Somehow, i think i'm enjoying now than then. Maybe, i understand the subject to a greater extent, and hence appreciate more.