November 14th is celebrated as Children’s Day in India, in honor of the first prime minister of Independent India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who’s birthday falls on this day. Schools throughout India have various forms of celebration commemorating children of all ages. This water-color painting of Pt. Nehru, which I painted a long time ago, recently surfaced from my archives in my parents home. I probably was in middle school or high school, vividly even remember the location and my painting supplies spread out on the floor as I was working on this.
I was introduced to this new painting technique, can’t quite recall how I got introduced to this painting method called – dry brush stroke painting. I think I was drawn to it because at that time I used to be doing more of water color paintings and was intrigued by use of a dry brush (with very little water, or wetting) to highlight texture, fine features and almost a sketchy quality to a painting. I tried a monochrome painting of Pt. Nehru, and went on to paint a few more paintings once I got the hang on this technique.
Historically the dry brush stroke painting is known to have been used in Japanese and Chinese ink paintings, which was adapted in other parts of the world. As I remember it, the process involved in mastering the art of wetting the brush just enough that it was barely wet, and the brush stroke on the medium (canvas , or in this case paper) had to be quick and precise. I remember I’d feel the wetness of the brush as I dipped it in the paint, and dried it (by pulling out excess paint) with my fingers, iteratively feeling the barely moist almost dry brush before putting that next stroke. And stroke after stroke followed in quick succession and I felt there’s was little room for error. (that very well could have been my novice-ness in trying this technique too)
As I unearthed this painting recently from my stash from decades back, brought back nostalgic memories of me as a young kid and my painting, sketching endeavors. Felt appropriate today to share this work on “Children’s Day” and to wishing all the children of this planet a healthy joyful childhood and a bright future ahead !!