GUEST ARTIST: “Watercolours For The Soul” by Prashant Maru

Hello, my name is Prashant Maru from India. I come from a far away village in the state of Gujarat, but now I’m working in Railway Mail Service as a government employee. So, for a living, my job is in Surat, India and for soul, of course, I always prefer just painting whatever inspires me.

I sometimes ask myself why I do paintings and love to paint and the answer I get from within is that it’s the only way to nourish my soul. More than any of the other ways. I really feel blissful whenever I paint something. From the time I was a child, I loved to paint with different mediums. But, for the last three years, everything has changed and I’m addicted to only one medium, and it is watercolor.

So I may say that watercolour is now as important as breathing and drinking water. I can’t stay away from this medium even when I don’t paint anything. I keep it with me so I feel connected with it all the times.

The Emotion Of Watercolour

I think watercolor is the best medium to express a spontaneous feeling. Due to the spontaneity of this medium, the flowing colours simply grab our attention in a way no other medium can.

When I started to paint with this medium, I realized how difficult it was to paint with watercolors. So many times, I lost my temperament to paint with it, but I didn’t lose my faith. Just learning every day, with new hues and ways to paint only with watercolors, and my journey began. Today, when I look back, I can look at it with a smile.

Of course, it’s also the easiest medium to paint, and worth the difficulties to do. If we really give all the power to the water, this medium will become our friend, and allow us to paint whatever we want to express. Whatever the water wishes to explore. Still, everyday is like going to school, and I’m a student and a teacher with my watercolors.

My Materials

As it’s a never ending process, I try new things and do experiments with watercolors. Different papers, such as Indian Handmade, Imported, Cold and Hot Pressed with different textures and GSM. Different paints, like Indian transparent watercolours Camlin brand as well as some imported too like Royal & Langnickel and some more.

I also like all kinds of brushes ( Indian, Chinese, Royal & Langnickel and others) I have some from Canada as a friend has sent them to me as a gifts. Both synthetic and real hair, flat and round, but mostly I use round brushes size 12 and 8 for brush works and different round mop brushes for different washes. I do experiments with different techniques like wet in wet and dry on wet or dry on dry for dry brush works but I love all of them as per a painting needs.

My Inspiration

I love nature, so of course, nature is the source of inspiration and it inspires me to paint in everyday life, such as birds, flowers, animals and landscapes. You’ll find me painting portraits of people too, whenever I feel I want to paint something different, or on when working on a commission. I love the process of painting more than the result as the painting process gives a bliss to the each passing moment. And the results give a surprise to our eyes as watercolor always make us feel fascinated.

I do painting when I’m free from my job and get time to paint in my busy life, but due to the flexibility of my job, I get so much time to paint. I’ve a beautiful wife, a four year old angel daughter, and parents. They give me so much space of time and solitude, with some quality time so I can paint, and fulfill my desire. That is so beautiful, and I’m very grateful. My daughter also follows me in painting so she is both my student and a little artist friend. We both enjoy painting and I get to become a kid again.

I love poems, so I use poems with my paintings and that makes each feel complete. I’ve also exhibit some paintings here and some sold some as well. When I’m not painting, I do meditation and play the keyboard as I love music too! The journey is a delightful experience. Always letting the water paint itself. Thank you, Charlie, for such a beautiful site and offering me a platform to express myself.

Prashant Maru
Doodlewash Gallery
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Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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