CHENNAI: With no formal training in art, curiosity to experiment and explore different mediums, led Chitra Mandanna to this field 30 years ago. The rest, as they say, is history. “I have done several exhibitions, workshops and also conduct classes.
It is my love for art that has brought me here. I work with all kinds of mediums from pencils to charcoal, water colours and oil to even acrylic,” she says. Hailing from Coorg, this artist has been in namma ooru for the last 25 years and will be conducting a charcoal abstract painting session over the weekend.
“I draw and paint literally anything and everything under the sky. I don’t have any limitations when it comes to the medium or themes that I draw,” she explains. Although she is more into realistic art works, the session over the weekend will be on abstract charcoal drawing. What is the best thing about charcoal drawing? “The ease of doing it, naturally…and, the finish you get is just amazing! It is beautiful, especially when you work with lights and shadows,” she explains.
Chitra further adds this kind of drawing requires minimum materials — a paper, charcoal pencils/stick and fixative. The fixative is sprayed on the paper to hold the charcoal together. “There are chances that the charcoal will rub off, so spraying the fixative helps,” she adds.
Although she has conducted several workshops and sessions in the past, this is her first charcoal workshop. Participants will be given the freedom to draw any abstract image using these charcoal pencils and sticks. “Often, what happens is that beginners find it a bit difficult to handle charcoal. It crumbles and can be a bit messy. So that’s why people are sceptical about using it. But with proper guidance and a lot of practice, they can excel at it,” she guarantees.
The charcoal pencil, which comes in different shades including black, brown and even white, is easy to use; it blends very well and can be erased easily. However, most people choose black over others since the monochrome shade gives a very dramatic look.
The Charcoal drawing session will be conducted on November 26 and December 2 from 10 am onwards at The Learning Community at Quest, Palavakkam. For details call: 7358570749