Outdoor Sketches...

Susil's first post for the year,
Infact the first blog post after the dawn of a new phase of life...
(Union of KJN photography and Susil's Canvas)

Thirupathi - Sapthagiri check point (Nov-2014)
That was during a week long trip to Temples after our wedding.
Divine Darshan...New Hopes and Dreams to Realize...

On the way to meet Lord Balaji (Black pen on paper)

Kodaikanal- Chettiyar Park (Jan- 2015)

While our parents were chit chatting and my better half was clicking Susil captured this scene in about 20 minutes.

Trip to Kodai (pen and pencil on paper)

Kanyakumari (Jan 2015)
A quick sketch using oil pastels...
The sea and the sea bed were naturally the best canvas and the sun came out from the clouds splashing colours
I was spellbound by the beauty and scribbled quickly in order not to miss the sun's performance.

Sunrise... Sea view 

-Susithra Naveen @ Susithra Soodamani-

MWA@Meenakshi Amman Temple

MWA trip to Meenakshi Amman temple...
I've been yearning for a chance to sketch on location there....for a looooong time
Every inch of the temple is interesting
Madurai's Asset and Pride! Am Proud!

Appa and I went around the temple, then I sat comfortably in the corridor which surrounds the lotus tank and started sketching with my graphite pencils
Good that it was not as crowded as I thought it would be..
Some people and kids came nearby and smiled :) .... while a old lady applied kumkum on my forehead and blessed...

Welcoming Idols...

Yazhi...
A quicker sketch ....with  Black Charcoal and Hardtmuth red chalk

Yazhi...

 This sister seemed sad, in deep thoughts sitting near a pillar...
and when she peeped into my sketch book .... her face transformed into a smile and wondered... 'naana?!' (is that me?!)

Temple is the best soothing place

Certainly Meenakshi Amman temple is marked for multiple trips to sketch...


-Susithra Soodamani-

MWA@Alagar koil

15 February 2014, Saturday

10:00 a.m to 12.00 a.m

That was a great memorable day!!

Muralidharan Alagar Sir and Amiltha from Chennai met Susithra, Soodamani(Appa) and Dr.Harishankar for the first time, right inside the temple near the large gopuram at the back of karupanaswamy’s place. After a little while, new members, Animation student Sathish kumar and Oviar Prabhakaran joined us. We all introduced ourselves.

Being the first group visit, we dint find much time to roam around and sketch different locations, instead we sat near the gopuram and discussed a lot. Though Susithra had to leave for an exam and Murali sir to a family function (that was just less than a 2 hour meeting), that was memorable and valuable sharing, learning and sketching experience.

Susithra showed her previous works while Sathish showed his wonderful digital paintings, Murali sir showed his live and quick sketches made at various outdoor trips and explained how he used the pencil/ pen and ink medium in the pictures. He also told us how we can perceive various levels of abstraction while starting to sketch, use of bold single strokes, through basic shapes like circles, triangles and lines. He told us about planning a composition while sketching at locations. His tips and techniques such as 8 heads, using a mirror to identify mistakes, shrinking our eyes to have an abstract view, sketching gestures etc.. were useful. We got to know about pastels which serve as a tool to learn better about blending of colours and it helps working with acrylic colors.  Amiltha and Appa took some snaps.

Susithra and Harishankar sir sketched a pic - the view of the temple just from the place where we met while Sathish made nice miniature sketches of the temple and gestures with pen.

Through regular study, trials and experiments and continuous practice …. Art is loooong and enjoyable!!

Happy Weekend!

Hoping wonderful regular trips like this :)

-Susithra Soodamani-

MWA Inauguration on Republic Day

For a very loooong time Susi has been yearning to go on regular outdoor trips to study, learn and sketch  at various places like temples with sculptures and idols as reference / common people, gestures etc..
Inspired by CWA* .... Here comes MWA**

Started the first venture at Aruppukottai...
I guess it was my grandparents who lived there who got me the first color pencils/ crayons even before going to school

MWA....
Date : 26-01-2014 Sunday
Place:  Aruppukottai (50  Kms from Madurai)
           Malaiyarasan Kovil
Members: Susi and Appa (my greatest support and critic)
(Expecting more members)

Determined to go on regular trips on weekends to sketch outdoor...

Temple at the top of the hillock 

(Red, Sepia, black charcoal and pen on A4)

Lord Krishna
(water color pencils, Black,white charcoal on A4)

*Chennai Weekend Artists

**Madurai Weekend Artists

-Susithra Soodamani-