M.F.Hussain - He is one of the most gifted artists of India who is known for his strong appreciation of the humans. His paintings are stark and bold and always make a point. Hussain captivates and entices all art lovers.

Francis Newton Souza - He was the first experimental artist from India to achieve wide spread fame in the west. Souza’s work had a good amalgamation of Expressionism and British neo-romanticism.

Vasudev S. Gaitonde - He was regarded as one of the most finest abstract painter of India. His ethereal paintings captivate you and linger on with you for eternity.

Ram Kumar - He is one of the post colonial contemporary artists of India. Ram Kumar has indeed been one of the brilliant twentieth century modern painter especially with his work in Sao Paulo in 1961, 1965 and 1972.

Manjit Bawa – Yet other Indian contemporary artists who tops the chart with his dynamic paintings. The main charm of his paintings is the feel that one gets with the amazing use of color and space.

Krishen Khanna - He is one of the distinguished names in the Indian contemporary art scene. Krishen Khanna makes an impact on the canvas that it sure leaves an incredible expression on the on-lookers. His masterful maneuver of painting evokes great feelings.

Amrita Shergil – She was one of the eminent painters of India. She was the daughter of a Sikh aristocrat and a Sanskrit scholar. Her work was often rejected and called absurd but it sure caught the attention of people who enjoy this absurdity. She is surely of the greatest painters of modern India.

Rameshwar Broota – He is one of the talented painters of modern India. Broota mostly paints in the monochrome technique, black being his favorite. He works with a sharp and thin blade so as to bring in great forms of light.

Art is one of the most wonderful forms of creative expression. Artists all over the world have used their talents to express their innermost feelings. The popularity of art knows no boundaries. We have kept witnessing beautiful works of art over the centuries. Apart from being a mode of expression for symbolism and creativity, art also helps in expanding the reach of mind. So now, keeping these views in mind, can we calculate the value of an art work?

With changing times, art has also witnessed a significant change and that is most evident in its practical side. Art has become a huge business in last few decades. It is no more just a tool in the hands of creative people. Art has got huge financial sides to it. One must have come across news of famous paintings fetching millions of dollars in auctions. People purchasing these paintings are no fool. They have got their return on investment in minds. Any work of art goes through different values during course of time. If there is an environment of instability or an artwork gets all bashed up in media by the critics, its prices tend to drop.

The value of a work of art is subject to many factors. The name of the artist, present condition of the art, negotiations, awards won by it, overall quality etc play a major role in deciding the amount a buyer is willing to spend on a particular artwork. It is also true that predicting the future of the art market is very tough because of several variables. It is almost like a fad. What is in demand today might be rendered obsolete tomorrow. All these factors make it imperative for the artists to consider all the buying, selling and trading aspects pertaining to an artwork. Business consultants or expert dealers can prove to be very useful in deriving the exact value of the artwork.

Pastel is an art medium used for drawing. Pastel drawing and painting offers several advantages. Pastel is a rich and versatile medium and that’s why artists can use it for painting as well as drawing. Let me try to define pastels. When sticks of pigment of powdered color are held together with a binding medium, the resultant effect is sticks of color which is known as pastels. Pastels are available in different range and different grades. The most common type of pastel is dry pastel which can be hard as well as soft. Most of the expert artists prefer to use hard pastels whereas beginners often go for soft pastel because it allows drawing flexibility.

For a beginner, he should begin with wide range of colors. The range should include basic colors like black, white, red, blue etc. Having different shades will add to your repertoire. Many renowned companies offer huge range of pastel colors and shade along with pastel paper that is used for painting. The paper comes up with a slight texture which is so very crucial in holding the pastel powder to the surface. You can use watercolor paper also along with making your own paper. However, if you are a beginner go with a readymade paper.

In the dry method of drawing, paper is placed on the board with a clip. You do have the choice of using wet paper but more on that in later articles. The basic method requires one to sketch the subject with the black. Thereafter, other pastels are used on it. The painting will formally begin on the paper when you apply brush and water to it. Some artists like to use other mediums of painting like watercolor and acrylic. Once you start feeling comfortable with your work, you will be able to appreciate the true versatility and beauty of pastels. A pastel painting has rich depth and that’s why it is so very popular among the artists.

Kerala is also known as ‘Gods Own Country’ because of its charming beauty. One of the most popular tourist destinations in India, Kerala attracts huge numbers of travelers from all over the world. Famous for its land waters, spices, greenery and hospitality, Kerala has also contributed significantly to the world of Indian art. The traditional mural paintings of the state have always attracted art aficionados. These paintings are primarily frescos of the prehistoric era. The murals depict mythology characters and legends of Indian history. One can find many such frescos on the walls of the temples and churches in South India.

Mural paintings of Kerala have contributed greatly to the cultural heritage of the state. No wonder, these paintings have acquired a legendary reputation. The mural paintings took their inspiration from Dravidian art of Kalamezhuthu. As far as origin is concerned, these artworks began their journey during 8th century AD. Not many people know but Kerala is second only to northern state of Rajasthan when it comes to rich collection of archaeologically important mural sites in India. These mural paintings can be categorized into wall paintings. The oldest relics of Kerala’s own style of murals are found in Tirunandikkara cave temple. These murals depict themes of Hindu mythology. Buddhist influence can also be seen on the murals.

Perumkadavil in Thiruvananthapuram, Anjanad Valley of Idukki and Edakkal in Wayanad are shining examples of prehistoric cave paintings. If you are curious about some of the most famous mural paintings of the state then, take a note of these names; Vadakkumnatha Kshetram, Ramayana mural of Mattanchery Place, Gajendra Moksham painting in Krishnapuram palace and Shiva temple in Ettumanoor. Renowned ancient sites having these unique mural paintings in Kerala are, Thruprayar, Padmanabha Swami temple, Ettumanoor,  Kottakkal, Panayannarkavu, Pundareekapuram and Thotteekkalam Lokanarkavu.

Pencil art is an artistic form of visual art. There are so many applications of pencil art and this can also form the base of a charcoal painting. From sketches, landscapes and portraits pencil drawings have many variations. The approach towards pencil drawings may be many but the final art form is simply majestic. A novice version of pencil art can be simple sketching or drawing of a caricature. Look-and-draw pencil sketches are very interesting for children.

Plain graphite pencils come with various standards and specifics for the pencil art forms. The interesting range in color pencil art is again splendid. Bird drawings especially the drawings of multi colored feathered birds like a macaw are interesting when done with strokes of a colored pencil. Water soluble colored pencils are again a novel way to capture the magic of sketching using a pencil. The simple dip-in-water idea is also an easy solution to use the kit in a portable form.

Pencil drawings referring to portrait can be seen in real life paintings or sketches of face of the elderly, baby or a village belle. The variations in each pencil sketch are unique and list several techniques to capture the expression of eyes, eyebrows, laugh lines, crow’s feet and a toothless smile. More sketching accentuation is done with hair or forehead lines, the twinkle in the eye, a void expression or other important features of the face like jaw muscle or the ear or nose.

Pencil drawings of a dinosaur, bird, Santa or a park scene are very interesting for a child. Summer classes for pencil sketches teach the child to actually hold the pencil accurately and do the deft strokes under the able guidance of a senior artist. There are books available too that guide you on a step wise procedure to master the techniques of pencil art. Shadings are also a major chapter to be learnt in pencil drawings.

The spectacular representation of a scenery or landscape in black is another skill of an artist. There are double vision portrait styles and other arts related to weather and people as a crowd. Black and white pencil art is amazing and the surreal effect of mystic or spiritual painting with color pencil is quite an experience. Still life color pencil sketches also cultivate more platforms for artists who believe in expressing their feelings. There are more ideas like depiction of dreams in pencil art which make it a mystic understanding.

An art museum is a place which reflects the true rich cultural heritage of a country. These art museum exhibits the works of art, usually visual art. The most common art work which is exhibited at art museums is paintings apart from Photographs, sculptures; illustrations etc. many art museums also display applied arts objects. Art museums are encyclopedia of cultural knowledge of a country. Not only they display wonderful art works but they also provide plethora of knowledge about the arts and artists. India, a country with rich cultural tradition and history also has many art museums. Most of these Indian art museums have a prize a collection of great art works.

The National Gallery of Modern Art also known as NGMA, New Delhi. It also has branches in Mumbai and Bangalore. This is the foremost art museum in India. NGMA has amazing collection of almost 15000 art works. The prized collection of NGMA includes works of Abanindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, Amrita Sher gill, Gaganendranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose to name a few. Not only that, NGMA also had foreign artists’ collection like that of Thomas Daniell and Pablo Picasso.

Goa State Museum is another famous Indian art museum. It has numerous art works collection such as Sculptures, Christian arts, Banerji arts, art works of Religious Expression, Menezes Braganza arts and Contemporary art works.

The Government Museum and Art Gallery is situated in Chandigarh. One of the prestigious museums in India, it has multiple portraits collection, architecture classics, ancient indian and gandhra sculptures, amazing section of indian miniature paintings, metal sculptures, Medieval Indian sculptures and tempting works of contemporary arts.

Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad is one of the foremost art museums in the country. It has built its reputation on great collections of European Paintings & sculptures, Mughal Miniatures, Japanese Silk Paintings, Chinese Porcelain, Carpets, rare manuscripts, Clocks, Double figure by Italian sculptor G.H Benzoni, Sculpture of Veiled Rebecca, Musical clock, jade crafted knifes of Jehangir & Nurjahan and few famous European paintings like ‘Venice’, ‘Soap Bubbles’ etc. it has several galleries and all of them possess distinct collections.

Victoria Memorial Museum, Kolkata has a rich collection of paintings, sculptures and other art works displaying cultural diversity of Kolkata. Apart from the above mentioned museums there are several others and each one of them having a distinct and wonderful assortment of various art works.

Does art serve any purpose or is it just a tool in the hands of wandering minds? The answer is definitely affirmative in favor of the first possibility. Art is a medium through which one indulges in free expression of endless ideas and concepts. The beauty of art manifests itself in several forms like paintings, sculpture, music and literature. The combined power of these forms can alter beliefs, bring about a revolutionary change in behaviors, and fashion collective experiences. Art is something that always draws us towards itself and becomes an integral part of us. Art touches every facet of our lives in countless ways.

So, now we know that apart from providing awareness, joy and pleasure, art also serves many other functions. Talking about its functions, religion will definitely be on the top of the list. You must have visited temples and Sistine chapels and do you remember what do you see there? Prehistoric paintings and sculptures acting as vehicle for religious rituals! Yes, art has always been an integral element of religions. Art is a wonderful tool for expressing different shades of emotions.  Art is a wonderful way to explore formal as well as informal elements of human life.

Art is also a way to communicate with others. It helps in capturing historical moments, events and other crucial events. When it comes to social commentary, there is no powerful medium than art. It can be used to present different viewpoints or even acts a platform for propaganda. Art is useful in making us aware of world scenario and human conditions. One of the best features of artwork is its ability to present a prevalent condition in an entirely different light. That way, one develops different but innovative perspectives about existing situations. The functions of art are truly unlimited.

Thota Vaikuntam is a popular Indian contemporary artist who finds his inspiration from the raw and the rural parts of India. His work reflects the cultures and traditions prevalent in the southern part of India. The artist himself hails from Andhra Pradesh and portrays village men and women especially Telangana women in his art. As a child, Vaikuntam drew his inspiration from village male artists who would often sketch sensuous female characters.

Vaikuntam’s artwork is simple but this simplicity is striking. He uses primary colors which give a sense of reality to his paintings. He often uses charcoal to sketch and his lines are nothing but fine strokes, well-controlled and strong. Colors like red, orange and yellow are artist’s favorite colors and he feels that these colors help his paintings to retain the Indian-ness in them.

In one of his interviews, Vaikuntam suggested “I don’t like using colours that are mix of two, because they are not natural, they don’t exist in surroundings around us, in our everyday life”.

Vaikuntam was born in Boorugupali, Andhra Pradesh in 1942 and since childhood, he was always interested in paintings. In 1970, he completed his Diploma in Painting at the College of Fine Arts and Architecture in Hyderabad. He also completed his diploma in Painting and Printmaking from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda in 1972.

Vaikuntam has received the Biennale Award from Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal in 1988 and a National Award for Painting in 1993. He has also held numerous solo and group exhibitions in India and in various other countries as well.

Contemporary Indian art is growing in a big way and new artists are emerging as Indian art embarks a new global journey through its paintings. One such contemporary Indian art artists of the recent times is Kolkata born Sajal Sarkar.

Be it oil, charcoal or any other medium, Sajal’s work shows a lot of experimentation not just with the medium but with the message as well. He thoughtfully weaves his cobweb to create a vivid representation of his subjects.

In Sarkar’s work, you will mostly see male figures with accentuated features. Neither vulgar nor sensational, these figures represent strength and are aesthetic in their form. His lines are bold, strong and often quite simple but it is this simplicity that represents the male form.

Sarkar uses female forms occasionally.Most of the female forms used in his works are seen alongside the male figures. Even the colors that are used in his paintings are bright making the picture look real and vivacious.

Sajal Sarkar graduated in Art paintings from the Government College of Art and Craft there in 1989 after which he spent four years working at the Lalit Kala Akademi Studio in Kolkata as a practicing artist. In 1993, he later moved to Baroda to pursue his Post Diploma in Graphics (Printmaking).

He did his diploma in graphics so that he could experiment with various mediums. As he graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at M.S. University at Baroda, his interests widened and he began visual experimentation in contemporary Indian art. Sarkar has had numerous exhibitions and shows. He is awarded the Bendre Husain Scholarship and a Junior Fellowship from the Ministry of HR Development, Govt. of India, in 1995-97. Sajal Sarkar is an ode to Indian art.

Just the idea of watching a painting with women as its subject can be so very fascinating. There is a certain charm and mystery associated with image of a woman. How can we ever forget the eternal beauty of women depicted in the form of ‘Monalisa’? This painting, even after few centuries continues to enchant us the same way as it used to mesmerize people hundred years ago. Perhaps, one of the greatest artworks of all time, Monalisa will always be etched into the annals of world art.

Talking about women, Indian women symbolize respect, care, attractive looks and sober nature. Just looking at an Indian woman wearing a sari and red dot on the forehead can be an unforgettable experience. Almost every famous artist from India and other countries has desired to capture the perfect image of an Indian woman in his canvas. Indian females have always stayed on the list of preferences of the painters and artists. They definitely make for interesting subjects.

Most often than not, Indian women have been portrayed with sari and red dot on the forehead. These two features have made Indian women distinctly unique and fascinatingly beautiful. If we go back to the history pages, one of the earliest depictions of the Indian women can be seen in the Ajanta mural. One can witness graceful and striking depictions of Indian women in various poses in the caves of Ajanta. Women are considered as the best creations of almighty and murals of Ajanta appropriately depict that belief.

Even during medieval times, the trend of depicting women in painting continued. For example, you can check Rajasthani miniature and Radha Krishna paintings. Portraits of Meera Bai are perhaps the most popular depictions. From artists’ point of view, eminent painter Raja Ravi Verma revolutionized the traditional Indian way of perceiving women. His artworks are equally popular in western art circles because of similarity of his method with western realistic schools of art. Many Indian painters and artists from modern generation have also depicted the beauty of Indian lady in their paintings.