Atul Panase from UAE shared some of his favorite tips and techniques with watercolor.

Here’s a Q&A with Atul:

Why do you make art?

I make art to realize how blessed I am. I paint to discover myself and learn how beautifully one (including myself) can illustrate in unique ways while getting inspired by simple things in life, be it a person, nature or everyday life on streets. I paint to express myself and to help my students express what they want to share with the world. I paint to align my physical, emotional and mental centers, and last but not least, it helps me make people happy and make the world beautiful through creativity. I believe that sharing happiness through positive changes is the reason artists are born!

How long have you been painting? 

Since my childhood – at the age of 7 or 8 years, I started sketching and drawing. Then painting started when I was about 11 years old.

Did you have formal art training?

With my higher studies, I received a diploma in Mechanical Engineering. Then I went to a fine arts college to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Applied Arts. I also received a Masters degree for Illustration.

Are you a working artist or a hobbyist?

Art was never a hobby, but rather a passion from day one. Later it became my life support. I make art for a living and for the last 18+ years, I lead the life of an artist and a curator in Dubai.

What inspires you?

I get inspired by every single thing, including nature and scenes from daily life. Thoughts, music, dance or animals inspire me; and I’m intrigued by the play of light and shadow.

What kind of music do you listen to while painting?

If I am painting outdoors, then the music of nature is more than enough for me. Indoors I love to listen to classical music (Indian or western), country or pop, hip-hop or fusion.

Have you had a mentor?

I never had a mentor, but while studying at the engineering institute, I got a chance to see a famous artist painting landscapes with watercolor on location. That demo was the game changer for me and I started painting en plein air to see how powerful it was.

Do you paint every day?

No, I do not paint on daily basis. I paint whenever I get time and when I get into the mood for doing so!

Do you paint one piece at a time or work on several at the same time?

Sometimes I complete my painting in one sitting, but most of the time I complete my work in many steps, which may take a few days, depending upon how big and complex the subject is.

Do you create a concept piece first?

Yes, I love to work on a few concept thumbnails first;  I also suggest my students do the same, especially when it is commissioned work.

Do you prefer painting in studio or en plein air?

I used to enjoy plein air painting the most before coming to Dubai, but gradually I painted more indoors as Dubai remains very hot with scorching sunlight.

How many core colors do you use?

I have 8-9 colors on my palette.

Tubes, pans or sticks?

All are very useful and I love to use them all, as per the requirements of my piece or the size of the paper. The bigger the washes, the more paint required – so I use tubes for that.

When do you know that your piece is finished?

That’s a tricky question, as it’s very subjective, but I always find that my unfinished works often look more beautiful than my finished ones!

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Join us online each week via Zoom or Facebook for an Up Close and Personal Conversation with John Cogley (Daniel Smith Owner and CEO) along with guest artists from around the world. On Thursdays (2:00pm Pacific), John and some of our Brand Ambassadors highlight a group of colors and answer your questions. On Fridays (10:30am Pacific), a guest artist shares a demo with their favorite tips and techniques. Click here for the upcoming week’s Zoom links.

If you prefer, you can visit our Facebook page at showtime to watch live. Replays can be watched on Facebook or YouTube. La traducción al español está disponible – selecciona el canal en español en Zoom.