https://www.varnagubbi.com/blog daily 0.75 2024-01-23 https://www.varnagubbi.com/blog/about monthly 0.5 2023-10-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/1649899793398-6UB0GH1HSJ8X5TO11E2X/20220324_161206-01.jpeg Blog - About - Hello, I am Varna, an artist, photographer, and UX-designer from Bangalore, India. I have lived in Madison, WI, US, and Vancouver, BC, Canada. And now based in Seattle, WA, US The greater Madison area inspired me to turn my art into a business, which I began by participating in an art event called 'Art-Walk'. I have a degree in Industrial Engineering and I am passionate about art. I've loved art since I was young and started doing photography in college. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/36d1d0ed-8048-4854-804f-f1c182ba67b7/PXL_20210530_164810155.jpg Blog - About My dad is a political cartoonist and journalist. He's my art and photography teacher, and my inspiration too. I find inspiration in nature, my trips, and the people I meet while traveling. I always bring my sketchbook and art materials when I go on a trip. My husband and I love drawing and painting together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/b7e1806c-599a-4808-80db-a24c3dc16a24/PXL_20220317_000631176.jpg Blog - About I was an assistant professor at an engineering college in India while also freelancing as a photographer for popular newspapers in Bangalore, India.. This experience always inspired me to keep learning and sharing. I actively contributed to the National Geographic 'Your Shot' community and learned valuable lessons in visual storytelling. Fortunately, my interests art, photography and designing go well together. Thanks for your time! https://www.varnagubbi.com/blog/landscape-illustration monthly 0.5 2023-10-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/eb9d9b12-7aff-43ce-ae99-224d2b77aa11/PXL_20220623_192128285.jpg Blog - Landscape Illustration - Sketching a Thumbnail First, I make a rough sketch (thumbnail) for the composition. You can make as many sketches as you like. Then, you should be happy with the composition you've created. After that, you can add shading (values) to your sketch and use it as a reference when adding colors to your illustration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/78332ed4-37e5-49b5-97e6-f3da6e705a8d/PXL_20220617_220644418.jpg Blog - Landscape Illustration - Coloring in Layers After applying the initial layer of color and using a brush pen to wash, I add more colors in stages to match the values I created in the thumbnail. I really like coloring this way. Eventually, the illustration starts to come together and the scene becomes more vibrant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/91417ec5-77d3-4adf-8e66-40884d163059/PXL_20220616_205811628.jpg Blog - Landscape Illustration - Looking for Inspiration I love traveling to inspiring places, sparking my imagination. Even exploring close to home can uncover scenes for creative beauty. Take walks in your neighborhood to find things that inspire you for art and photography. This is Lake Monona in Madison, Wisconsin. We lived here for nearly two years. We enjoyed walking and biking around this lovely lake. This is my favorite spot by the lake Monona to sit and relax. I love the way the blue sky and green surroundings contrast, especially the tree in the front. Its branch leaning forward adds character to the view . Here's how I create an illustration of the lovely view of Lake Monona. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/1657574137128-R8TSBSINFW9AY3SU16UC/PXL_20220623_193343048%7E2.jpg Blog - Landscape Illustration - The Outcome Here it is, a result of creativity and imagination. I'm pleased with the artwork. I'm also open to feedback and always striving to improve each time I do this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/3a98df04-4b9d-4a2b-85f3-434fee5a2a12/PXL_20220616_211345031.jpg Blog - Landscape Illustration - Illustrating and Coloring At this point, I look at the small image I made earlier and begin drawing the scene with a thin pointed pen (I draw lines to create the picture). Then, I add color using watercolor pencils. You can use any medium you like. I personally enjoy using watercolor pencils. https://www.varnagubbi.com/blog/gettoknowtheprocess monthly 0.5 2023-10-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/eaed15c3-b703-404f-b8ec-a20064bd59f9/PXL_20220512_205727456.jpg Blog - Painting flower Magnolia - Step 5 - Finishing up I use a contrasting color in the background to make the main subject stand out in the illustration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/64f8ab41-0872-485a-b4e6-955dc2a43046/PXL_20220512_200640340.PORTRAIT.jpg Blog - Painting flower Magnolia - Step 2 - Adding the fine details At this stage, I have a simple sketch of the flower. Now, I'm adding more precise details, using the picture as a guide. Every stroke I make with ink plays a part in making the final result better. I will take the time needed to finish this step without hurrying. After I'm happy with the specifics, I proceed to the next stage of incorporating colors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/63264243-fe9e-4327-b23d-d21d7bfaa6d3/PXL_20220512_204848381.jpg Blog - Painting flower Magnolia - Step 4 - The transformation I use a water pen to rinse the colors and see the illustration transform. If I am not satisfied with the outcome, I'll add another layer of paint once the first one is dry, ensuring that the colors blend seamlessly and create a more harmonious composition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/73004e4e-1c52-41f9-a2f2-140deb21a7bd/PXL_20220512_193411952.jpg Blog - Painting flower Magnolia - Step 1 - Sketching the outline of the flower Magnolia I enjoy exploring my neighborhood for inspiration to draw and paint. In particular, during springtime, I like going to the nearby botanical gardens and capturing the beauty of the flowers. Nature is incredibly inspiring. It always encourages me to pick up a sketch pad and start creating. I absolutely adore this artistic journey. I enjoy sunny and lovely days, where I can sketch outside. When I'm not outdoors, I work inside according to my schedule. When I paint inside, I choose a good picture as my guide for sketching and painting. I start drawing a Magnolia by outlining it with a pencil, and then I use a fine tip pen to ink it. I love inking and I'm thrilled to see how it turns out! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/598c9bce-766a-4c39-8c69-4ea3785a4e99/PXL_20220512_203543369.jpg Blog - Painting flower Magnolia - Step 3 - Coloring I absolutely love coloring—it's my favorite part of the whole process. My reference picture helps me choose the correct colors for my artwork. I prefer trying out the colors I picked on a small sheet of paper first, before using them in my real project. https://www.varnagubbi.com/contact daily 0.75 2023-05-22 https://www.varnagubbi.com/home daily 1.0 2024-01-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/1650932457043-Y8515ETCHHN522Z1D3TJ/DPP_0009_edited-01.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/1654738801028-GNKVVHMPW4WFHP8ZPAEJ/Dandelion.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/1662123054970-XFABI3ZSHRBHCZG9SMMA/Paphiopeoilum+Haynaldaianum.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/1681421241015-8B8QDP8GW7ATL9VP8IYA/PXL_20230405_230029663.PORTRAIT%7E2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6227e06552e41b71e935e6c3/1652892032778-DUN2KJUULU3GEO6HMIMC/Magnolia_v.jpg Home 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