Indian Painting Styles A cultural kaleidoscope

India and arts share a tie-in straight before the civilizations were announced. We have always envisaged our deepest thoughts into concrete masterpieces like poetry, sculptures, scriptures and largely paintings. From the ancient friezes to the royal portraits of respectable class to the modern spell contemporary ideas, Indian painting has hoary over the life span capturing the local thanks to well seeing the cross - cultural essence of the Indian subcontinent. Paintings from India are recognized worldwide and are loved for their charisma and low gist.

The evolution of different painting styles in India started ever since the prehistoric times. The roots tall story in the carvings and inscriptions used on the hollow walls that are psychedelic snapshots of life. Use of pulverized minerals, shook plants and fruit juices for colors was a mediocre practice. A wanted work of which are frescoes and wall paintings found in the caves of the Ajanta and the Ellora. Their timeless beauty and artistry naturally pull the admirers from across the star. Same art practices are popular primarily in north - west and western India in the form of paintings on pots, flower vase, wall hangings, wall art, etc. coalescing art and craft.

The trend progressed into the development of figurative art, which focuses on the reality with aesthetic meaning. These were painted in the form of God paintings and imagery from the holy books that speak of sacrifice, valor, motherhood, love, etc. God painting is conceptualized and expressed differently across all the cultures of India. Dramatic human moods and elaborated accessories of figurines are predominant in murals of south India; Patua is an art form of Bengal that paints colorful narrative scrolls describing stories of God; Tanjore Paintings embellished with gold; various illustrative forms of Krishna and his beloved Radha are a specialty of Gujarat; Ganpati paintings from Maharashtra and illustrations of lord Shiva and Parvati from north India are to name a few. All figurative art is dependent on line, color, texture, shape, light and dark symbolism and perspective. Although bold and solid colors like red, yellow, green and saffron are predominant in all God paintings, but the use of color symbolism also provides definition to the philosophical content of the painting, use of white for purity, black for evil, and reds, yellows and saffron for Royalty. Figurative art was not limited to just God painting but also paved ways for a plethora of real world concepts. Mughal art, miniature art, Royal lineage paintings, epic paintings, portraits, moods, etc. are a few examples.

Another very popular form of art is the framed art. Where the painted color communicates the thoughts and brings out the finest details of the painting, the frame encases its sheer beauty and distinguishes it from its surroundings by giving it more definition and weight, possibly the best and the most convenient way of exhibiting the paintings. A frame too is a work of art in itself. Tapered corners, layering, embossed and engraved carvings, motifs, etc are a few frame types. Usually, darker tones and metallic colors are used for styling frames. Oil painting and canvas painting are two most commonly used framed art.

Nowadays, contemporary paintings are attracting eyeballs effortlessly, an idiomatic thought, an abstract style, and a cross - cultural approach together giving birth to an artistic language of expression of Indian vision. With a look of modernity and a deep rooted meaning hidden in the layers of color makes it an immediate like. One of the most original forms of art, contemporary style of painting gives enormous leverage over the societal norms. The use of undertone backgrounds and pastel colors are quiet prominent in abstract art. Not only it provides gravity but also an air of sophistication to the piece of art.

Indian painting has never failed to amaze its audience, even across the borders. Being one - of - its - kind, its popularity is unmatched and unthinkable. An attractive amalgamation of uniqueness and richness.

Popular Painting Styles Realism Painting Techniques

The Realism painting style depicts life being it absolutely appears without major glorification, drama or feeling. This movement attempts to keep the artists interpretation to a bare minimum. The thought is to modern life in its natural environment which often includes the ordinary, the mundane and lined up the unseemly.

Side message that seems to proceed from a realistic painting is meant to be a direct production of what was in reality happening at that specific moment in ticks. It is, however, in keeping with this style for the artist to finger compositional elements for the what for of besides markedly communicating the facts of an event without changing its connotation or scope.

This style of painting originated in the mid 1800s in France as a reaction to the predominate Romantic movement of that time. This period also coincided with the development of photography. French artist Gustave Courbet is considered to be the father of the realistic style. His famous painting, A Burial at Ornans, depicts the 1848 funeral of a relative and is generally credited with kicking off this artistic style.

Other significant artists that incorporated realism painting techniques in their work include; Jean Baptist Simeon Chardin, Charles - Francois Daubigny, Francisco Goya, Winslow Homer, Edward Manet, John Singer Sargent and Andrew Wyeth just to name a few.

A partial list of other subcategories of realism include:

Naturism is a term that is sometimes used interchangeably with the broad term realism. Real subjects and events are painted in their natural settings.

Hyper - Realism or Photo - Realism plays extreme attention to accurately displaying absolutely every minute detail of a subject. The end result can resemble an oversized, sharply focused photograph.

Classical Realism is a relatively modern movement that attempts to return the realistic painting methods and craftsmanship of pre 20th Century artists. Artists rely only on their observational skills without the use photography.

Fantastic Realism attempts to use the realistic techniques of the old master painters ( before 1828 ) with added religious symbolism.

Social Realism grew out of the great American Financial Depression of the 1930s. The intent of these works of art was to realistically depict the devastating struggles and injustice of that era.

Romantic Realism renders its subjects realistically but with the freedom to add the possibilities of how things could be or even should be based on traditional romantic ideology.

Tips For Painting In The Style Of Realism:

1. Think of yourself as a news photographer. Your job is not necessarily to join a cause or take sides. Your work should involve accurately and clearly communicating a snapshot of everyday life for the average Joe. Do not let your emotions tempt you to represent people in a flattering way. Paint what is actually there and let the chips fall where they may. This can be a wonderful exercise for learning to see like a true artist.

2. Paint realistically by paying attention to representing color, proportions, perspective and other critical elements as true to the moment as possible.

3. Use any medium that lends itself to painting realistically. Oil and acrylic paints tend to dominate but there is nothing wrong with experimenting with pastels, pencils, markers or pen and ink.

4. Start with using earthy colors that are dominant in nature such as variations on yellow and brown.

5. Gain a commanding grasp of the fundamentals of painting. So often talented but self - taught amateurs produce paintings that are not carefully crafted. Even small inaccuracies in perspective, for example, can absolutely destroy the illusion of realism. Consider going to a formal painting school or purchasing a thorough video painting course on DVD.

For the serious art student, learning realism painting styles should be a mandatory part of their education. The fundamental skills and techniques needed to successfully paint in this style will always come in handy even when the time comes to experiment with less realistic painting styles.