The First Paintings: Christ

Presenting - the first two paintings in watercolour:

1. Christ with the Crown of Thorns
2. A Portrait of Christ

And yes, these are indeed the first two paintings in watercolour I have done in over 20 years (anything before that was a very simplistic childish attempt at comic strips, super-heroes, colouring books, etc.).

I began the painting of "Christ with the Crown of Thorns" on January 8th evening and completed it early January 10th morning. The "Portrait of Christ" I began on January 10th evening and have been working on it every night until January 13th. The photos do not seem to capture the paintings completely, and if possible, I will try to upload another attempt later this month (Or perhaps I should just get a scanner!).

The "Christ with the Crown of Thorns" was *very* simplistic - I was learning to use the brush and the different paints for the very first time. The "Portrait of Christ" enabled me to focus a bit more on facial features and learn about different shades, contrasts and lighting. Obviously I'm not there yet, but am still learning.

So, why Christ? Well, The Message of Christ is very dear to me, and I felt that it be only right for me to honour this Bringer of Truth. His Message can be summarised in just these two lines (which Christ Himself is recorded to have said in the Bible):

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your intellect
2. Love your neighbour as yourself

Now, hopefully I can actually live this Message (that's, of course, the important thing). Thanks for stopping by!

(All images copyrighted)

The Path to Painthood - The Beginning!

Greetings!

The "Path to Painthood" is to be a lifelong project of mine, and intended to answer just one single question:

How long will it take for a person in his 30s, who has not painted for a long, long time (at least since his childhood, and that too nothing spectacular) to develop the art of painting?

Let me emphasise one thing right away: we may never find out the answer to this question, but we have a hope! A hope that one day, perhaps one fine day we may find the author of this blog a fairly "decent" artist.

There are a few simple rules on this my path to "painthood":

1. Every painting I do, no matter how unappealing or uncreative, shall be made available on this website for all readers to track my progress (or otherwise)
2. I am to provide a photograph of a new painting at least once a month on this site (initially I'll start with water-colour, and then later, oil). Of course, I might excuse myself from this rule due to extenuating circumstances
3. I shall, under no circumstance, take any official classes for painting nor shall I solicit professional help of any form (it is a different matter if professionals contact me to offer constructive feedback; also, another exception to this rule: I reserve the right to search websites for useful information about painting, but that is as far as I will go)

Some of you may wonder whether this is an egotistical endeavour on my part. I can assure you, dear readers, not at all! My goal here is not to shine or project myself as a Wunderkind of some kind (for I know, at least in the field of painting, I most definitely am not!). Rather, I believe very much in the arts and that every person has at least one thing, if not more, that is creative within him- or herself. I believe that art has this unique power to inspire, to unite people of all kinds, to uplift and bring life and vitality to the weary human spirit today.

Hence the Painthood project - to demonstrate this my conviction, to inspire the flame of creativity and art, no matter how miniscule, in everyone!

Please do join me on this path! Watch from a distance, comment or write to me if you feel to, either is fine by me. But do join me, and let us see whether the above question can be answered! At the very least we will all have a good time seeing the results of a blunderer's paintbrush!