Final piece preparation

I have used chalk a lot in preparation for my final piece as I feel like it strongly relates to the Holi festival and the frequent use of colour in many Indian celebrations. Also chalk gives a slightly three dimensional effect, making the piece look slightly more expressive and interesting.

I have also worked on board in preparation for my final piece as I feel that board will make the piece look more professional and give it a more finished look than paper would. Furthermore, board is smoother than canvas but still has texture to it, making it an easier surface to later draw on. 

The colours that I am thinking of using for my final piece are warm colours, such as:red, orange, pink and yellow, this is because the colours red and yellow have symbolism and meaning behind them in Indian culture and are therefore often used in celebrations, such as weddings.

Expressive pieces

These two expressive pieces from my sketch book are inspired by the Holi festival, where powdered paint is thrown.

The first piece is many primary and secondary colours, red, yellow, orange, blue, green, pink and purple, flicked using a paint brush, onto a base of black paint. I did this to create an effect of paint hitting a wall, a sight I expect would be frequent during Holi.

I used black backgrounds for each piece as I thought that it would make the colours stand out much more due to the contrast between the dark black and the bright colour. 

With the second piece I used warm hues of yellow, orange and red and lightly sponged them onto some black paper. I decided to use these colours as they are colours that are of some spiritual importance in India and because they are the colours seen in flames-linking to the Diwali festival, 'the festival of light'. However the way I have applied the paint makes it look softer and almost powdery, like what would be thrown during Holi.

I used nail varnish and a very thin brush to illustrate this mannequin hand as it is less likely to chip off or smudge than acrylic paint or henna. This piece is similar to Johanna Basfords pieces for the inky body wonderland exhibit as it is also illustration on a fake body part, however my piece is done on a hand of a pale skin tone instead of just white, making it look slightly more realistic. This also links to my theme of Indian celebrations as the illustration is very similar to that of traditional Indian henna, worn at many different celebrations. 

Indian culture and celebrations

Holi

Holi is spring festival and national holiday in India. Vasant Panchami is the marking of Holi in India where Hindus worship Saraswati Devi, the goddess of culture, music, art and knowledge.

The night before Holi, a Holika bonfire is lit and people celebrate. These celebrations are carried forward to the next day when everyone, no matter what age or class or gender, throw multi-coloured powders at each other throughout the country in the streets or by temples. As well as that, music is also played and traditional Holi foods are eaten.

Information found: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi 

Diwali

Another Hindu celebration is Diwali. Diwali is known as the 'festival of lights' and is celebrated every year in autumn. This celebration signifies good over bad, knowledge over ignorance, hope over despair and, of course, light over darkness. 

In preparation for Diwali, Hindus clean and decorate their homes and then on Diwali they wear new clothes and light candles and lamps known as diyas and light fireworks. Prayers (puja) are made to the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi, at this time as gifts and sweets are given.

Information found: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali

Significance of colours

Red

Red is a colour associated with purity, fertility and opulence in India which is why brides often wear it on their wedding day. Red is also the colour of the sari that goddess Durga is known to have worn.

Yellow

The colour yellow is symbolic of holiness in India. As well as that it is also a colour linked with a healing power- turmeric is yellow and is used as an antiseptic in Asia.

Blue

The colour blue is symbolic for power and life; this is due to Lord Krishna, who had skin of a blue tone, teaching mankind the right way to live and lead a life. 

White

White is a colour that is linked to serenity and peace. Because of this white is often worn at cremations and widows in India used to wear it when in mourning. 

Information found:

http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/slideshow/significance-of-colours-in-india_152.html 

Henna/Mehndi

It is an Indian traditions that dates back more than 5000 years and is described in very early Hindu Vedic ritual books. Traditional designs have a sun drawn on the palm of the hand as historically it was symbolism of the outer and inner sun. Henna/Mehndi has many different motifs- good luck, health, sensuality, positivity, promote fertility and, to ward off evil. It has also been used to dye cloth and leather and as hair dye. Henna is usually used at Hindu weddings and other Hindu festivals such as the ones mentioned above.