“Naked”, painting by Raj Chaudhuri
Digital Media and Techniques for Artists with Raj Chaudhuri
Saturday, December 8, 2012 9-4pm
Location: Art Students League of Denver
200 Grant Street Denver, Colorado 80203
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CPAC Members, please call 303-778-6990 x100 to register with membership discounts.
In this one-day session, learn about the many possibilities available with digital technologies for both aspiring and established artists. Be introduced to a wide range of digital equipment and techniques, from digital photography to painting on a tablet or smart phone. Special note: A follow-up workshop in March will cover in more detail the topics of greatest interest to participants in this workshop.
In partnership with Art Students League of Denver
About Instructor Raj Chaudhuri:
Art has always been my passion. Since my earliest memory, I have always drawn and painted. But, I didn’t pursue it as a profession in the beginning, rather keeping it as a hobby while I pursued a career in software for 17 years! In 2009, I was able to make the transition to painting full-time (started part-time in 2003). It is in art that I am determined to make a success of myself and have devoted all my efforts and attention towards it.
I have had the privilege of learning from Quang Ho and Mark Daily here in Denver. Both amazing painters, teachers and instrumental in my development as an artist. I have also been very fortunate to spend time with Dan Sprick, a remarkable painter and person.
The painting process to me is two fold. One part is the subject matter and the other, the process of utilizing an artist’s vocabulary.
My subject matter has been things that I love and understand. A lot of it is material from India, where I grew up. Figurative work, Cityscapes and the still life also feature in my paintings. Poker chips, cards and sports scenes (hockey, soccer) are dear to me. I really enjoy painting people. My family have been subjected to many a pose for my paintings!
The second part is technical in approach. Here my goal is to be very clear what I’m trying to accomplish in my painting to the viewer. Whether it’s the visual approach (such as light and Shadow, Local Tone, Color, etc.) or in the visual design (shapes, values, color) of the painting, I want to lead the viewer through a very clear and engaging journey. The painting becomes an exploration of these abstract elements and my search for finding a solution to a visual problem.
My goal is to try to and find a balance between the abstract and the real. Ultimately, it is all abstract from a purely artistic standpoint. To me the challenge is to find that abstract connection in every painting – the pattern of red through the painting, the big shapes grading to small ones, light sliding into dark. All of this happens within the context of the design (or shapes) in the painting. For the overall balance and beauty, simplicity in the composition is key; yet the painting of that very simplicity must provide layers upon layers of treats for the viewer – juxtaposing various colors of the same value next to each other to make the painting shine, or the use of half-tones to provide transitions between big value shifts.
In my previous career in Software, I taught a fair amount of technical workshops and facilitated numerous requirements discovery workshops (based on a methodology called ‘UML’). In the past few years I have done painting workshops for art groups in town such as Aurora Arts Guild and Palleteers. In each case the response to my teaching has been very positive and I really enjoy sharing my knowledge. It makes me a better painter and artist. I plan on pursuing more opportunities to teach.
