Tuesday 3 January 2012

Rajasthani Woman

Rajasthani Woman: watercolour. Source: video frame.
Rajasthan lies to the North West of India bordering with Pakistan. While literally meaning "Land of Kings", it is also known as "Land of Colours", and it is easy to understand why, as everything in this country is so brightly coloured - furniture, embroidery, wall paintings and clothes.


The woman in this painting is wearing typical traditional clothing, most beautifully and brightly coloured, and adorned with beads and trinkets. Here, the cloth covering the head is both for protection from the heat as well as for modesty.


We hear that, the world over, traditional clothing is giving way to more modern attire, and I personally think that to lose traditional attire such as this would be a huge shame. Rajasthani women are the most beautifully dressed that I have ever seen.


I've tried to keep the work here as near as possible to the correct colours, but it is quite difficult to get the colours so bright and pure using those I have in my palette. Also, the photograph of the painting has lost some of the vibrancy of the work.



8 comments:

  1. Beautiful.. Rajastan is indeed colorful. I have been there once and it was some experience. I know it is difficult to get those actual colors, but I think you have done a great job.

    Happy new year to you.

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  2. Very strong and intent expression. Excellent portrait.

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  3. Beautifully done Frank. I love the feeling of strength you've given this woman. Strength in a feminine way, which I love. :)

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  4. You have done a beautiful job Frank.
    Thank you so much for your kind words about Codi, our dog. They meant so much. I was really moved.
    I wish you a happy New-Year :0)

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  5. Prabal, I would love to visit Rajasthan, but had to make do with watching a video instead :( I think I got a feel for for it's people though by doing this painting.
    Thanks Jane, Crystal and Sandra, this is quite an old lady, but I think I took a few years off of her by not getting her face thin enough. Getting so much colour into a painting is not my usual style, but it really was exciting!

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  6. Wow! She is quite hypnotic to look at. I love that my eye is looking round the painting finding lots of interesting detail and always coming back to the face. This has got to be my favourite of yours! xx

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  7. For some reason the comment I left yesterday hasn't 'taken'.
    I really like this Frank, and I think you've done a great job with the colours. Not that I've ever been to Rajasthan but it 'looks right', if you know what I mean. Kudos.

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  8. Wow, thank you so much Pat, that's a compliment indeed!
    Thanks John, cyberspace has a lot to answer for!
    I think Rajasthan would be a marvellous place for any artist to just let go and splash around the colour on the canvass.

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