NC State Fair 2011. 12x16 Watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. I have always wanted to paint NC State Fair. There is just so much energy at the fair! And the different shapes, colors, smell, the crowd and the movement. If I can find a good spot, I would like to paint en plein air one year. This is a gouache painting on paper. This painting has won honorable mention in Jerry's Artarama's Turner Gouache Contest. Unlike the painting of Burleigh Plantation, this is a freer painting. I painted this quickly.

Quilts. 20x16 Gouache on Aquabord. Artist - Tesh Parekh. This is Burleigh Plantation in Semora NC. I visited the plantation few weeks ago and found it very exciting. I have also done a drybrush painting of a slave cabin door of the plantation. I worked on this painting for many days. This painting has won honorable mention Jerry's Artarama's Turner Gouache contest. Painting in Gouache is quite different from watercolor. This is my first painting on Aquabord. I am not quite sure if I like the surface for my kind of paintings. I may have to try it with watercolors.

- Tesh Parekh

www.TeshParekh.com

www.RaleighWeddingPainter.com

Be my fan: http://www.facebook.com/WeddingPainter

email: tesh@teshfineartphoto.com

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- Tesh Parekh

www.TeshParekh.com

www.RaleighWeddingPainter.com

Be my fan: http://www.facebook.com/WeddingPainter

email: tesh@teshfineartphoto.com

919-622-5399

Don Cesar Hotel. 10x14 plein air watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. Last year, I did photography and video assignment for the Lotus Survival Foundation. The foundation's first retreat for the breast cancer survivors was in St. Petersburg, Florida. I worked most of the time, but, managed this sketch one evening. I loved the golden sand and the beautiful building. I hope to do a live wedding painting there someday soon...

Raleigh Rickshaws. 12x9 plein air watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. I started this piece as a pencil sketch and finished in the studio from memory.

Joyner Park afternoon. 10x14 plein air watercolor on paper. Joyner Park in Wake Forest is my favorite location for portrait sessions. A plein air painting this time. I liked the light of the day.

Kites, Lake Crabtree. 10x13 plein air watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. I was looking for something to paint. I walked around the Lake Crabtree park and couldn't settle on anything to paint. It was really windy too! I was tired when I saw people flying kites. I loved kites when I was a kid. I have done several paintings of kites. I grabbed what I could find in my car, and made this sketch.

NC State Capitol- view from New Bern Plaza. 11x13 plein air watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. You can't paint Raleigh Downtown without painting the NC State Capitol!

The Wishing Tree. 9x12 pencil drawing on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. Few weeks ago, Mica and I had photographed a family at the Shelly Lake. We liked this tree and captured several images around it. Later, I returned to make a pencil sketch. It is a reference sketch for one of the paintings I am working on. I liked using very sharp pencil on a smooth surface. I love to draw.

Castaway. 10x15 plein air watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. My last plein air piece of 2011! Another windy and chilly evening! I had seen this lonely tree couple of times before. It was a little bit of hike to get to it. I travelled light and was happy to finally paint it.

Upper Lake Evening. 10x15 plein air watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. Painting en plein air is like learning a visual language. You have to find ways to paint things quickly. I like how I could abstract distant foliage. Quite different from painting every little detail. Watercolor is amazing that way.

Still Thirsty. 9x12 plein air watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. Another favorite from last year. I started this sketch while the light was fading. I had very little time. I finished the painting in my studio. I like how I was able to capture the light. This is my third painting of this tree! My first one was a plein air watercolor and the second one was a plein air oil.

Evening shadows. 11x14 Plein Air watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. One more of my Durant park paintings. I liked the light and shadows on leaves on the ground,

NC State Capitol- from the Bicentennial Plaza. 10x14 Plein Air watercolor. Artist - Tesh Parekh. One of my favorites from the last year! I was visiting one of the museums prior to a corporate event photography assignment. I liked the fall colors and the beautiful light, It was really windy, so, I painted this standing and holding my sketchbook.

Pine Knoll Shores morning, 9x11 Plein Air watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. I did photography sessions on the beach last summer. I painted this in the morning in the blinding Sun! I also did an oil painting of Pine Knoll Shores (After The Storms) in my studio.

Sandling Beach, Falls Lake. 9x11 Plain Air Watercolor. Artist - Tesh Parekh. Sandling Beach was busy over the Memorial Day weekend! I managed to start this sketch while playing with Ian. Finished in my studio later, to add few details.

Homestead Christmas Tree 2011. 12x16 Alla Prima watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. I did this alla prima painting during my recent visit to the Homestead resort in Hot Springs VA. I worked on this painting for couple of nights. I hate to use the masking and did not want to use Gouache, so, I painted around all the trimmings. Lesson in the patience! I hope to do a live wedding painting at this beautiful venue.

Fletcher Park. 9x12 Plein Air watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. This is my second plein air sketch of the Fletcher Park in Raleigh. I painted it first for Local Color Raleigh's (Art Gallery) Plein Air Competition. It was cold when I did this sketch. And windy.

Lower Lake Afternoon. 9x12 Plein Air Watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. I did this sketch in 2010 but did not publish it earlier. As you may have noticed, Durant Nature Park in Raleigh is one of my favorite locations to paint! What I like about this place is more trees and less people...

Rain and Raleigh Downtown. 14x5 Plein Air Watercolor. Artist - Tesh Parekh. What can be more fun than painting a watercolor when it is raining?! It started to rain while I was in the middle of sketching. I stayed under a tree and continued to paint. That is the Museum of Natural Sciences...

I love painting from life, but, I also do many paintings in my studio. Here are my latest studio pieces. Both originals and prints are available.

Happy 2012!

- Tesh Parekh

www.TeshParekh.com

www.RaleighWeddingPainter.com

Be my fan: http://www.facebook.com/WeddingPainter

email: tesh@teshfineartphoto.com

Raleigh- View from Capital City Club. 10x14.5. Watercolor on paper. Artist- Tesh Parekh. I had always wanted to paint this view. Someday soon, I am going to paint this from life.

Lower Lake at Dusk. 12x16 Watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. Durant Nature Park in Raleigh is my favorite place to paint. Many many painting opportunities in this little park.

Durant Trail. 12x16 Watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. Durant Park painting, of course! The park is very close to where I live. I go there quite often and continue to find new things to paint.

Quilts. 20x16 Gouache on Aquabord. Artist - Tesh Parekh. This is Burleigh Plantation in Semora NC. I visited the plantation few weeks ago and found it very exciting. I have also done a drybrush painting of a slave cabin door of the plantation. I worked on this painting for many days. I have entered this painting in Jerry's Artarama's Turner Gouache contest. Painting in Gouache is quite different from watercolor. This is my first painting on Aquabord. I am not quite sure if I like the surface for my kind of paintings. I may have to try it with watercolors.

NC State Fair 2011. 12x16 Watercolor on paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh. I have always wanted to paint NC State Fair. There is just so much energy at the fair! And the different shapes, colors, smell, the crowd and the movement. If I can find a good spot, I would like to paint en plein air one year. This is a gouache painting on paper. This is the second painting which I have entered in Jerry's Artarama's Turner Gouache Contest. Unlike the painting of Burleigh Plantation, this is a freer painting. I painted this quickly.

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"The Slave Cabin Door". Drybrush Watercolor. 12x16. Arches 300 lb CP paper. Artist - Tesh Parekh

Few months ago, Mica and I had visited Burleigh Plantation in Semora NC. I was fascinated by this place. Many photo and painting possibilities. Few days ago, I did a gouache painting of the plantation quilts on a line. I have entered that painting into Jerry’s Artarama‘s Turner Gouache contest and hope it will win! This is my second painting of the plantation. A drybrush watercolor. I was curious about history of old structures on the grounds there. And also the textures of things you find in such a place. Like this old door of a slave cabin. Many layers of history. Just like a drybrush painting. Layers upon layers. I have done drybrush paintings before, but, this is my most successful one. Andrew Wyeth’s drybrush watercolors have always inspired me. And after studying his work and more important, his painting philosophy, I am only just starting to learn this medium.

The beginning of this painting was not very exciting. I did the underdrawing and was not sure how to go from there. Worse, I accidentally dropped some paint on it while cleaning my palette (Sepia- no less!). The first layers looked terrible! But, painting is as much about preserving as it is about the techniques. So, I washed some of the layers off (it helped to paint on 300 lb paper). Once I started actual drybrushing, the painting unfolded like magic…

The original is available for purchase as are prints.

Happy Holidays!

- Tesh Parekh

www.TeshParekh.com

www.RaleighWeddingPainter.com

Be my fan: http://www.facebook.com/WeddingPainter

email: tesh@teshfineartphoto.com

919-622-5399

"Elevate Dancers". Live Event Painting. Watercolor. 16x20. Arches 140 lb CP Paper

I have been painting the ISES, NACE & TBA Holiday mixer for past three years now and have really enjoyed it. This event benefits Toys for Tots. I get to paint and meet my friends! That is a good change since when I paint plein air, I am mostly alone. I have done quite a few plein air paintings and sketches during past few weeks. And also some work in the studio. And while I have been busy with professional photography, I haven’t had the opportunity to photograph my very own recent work!

I chose watercolor medium for this event due to the amount of time- around 2 hours. 16×20 watercolor is a decent size for live watercolor painting, especially given just couple of hours.

This year’s event was at the Sheraton Hotel (downtown Raleigh). I started around 6 PM. When I arrived, first thing I saw were the beautiful dancers from Elevate. Mica and I have photographed Valerie Curran’s dancers at the Mitzvahs and Birthday parties. Before I even setup, I pulled out my sketchbook and attempted quick reference sketches in pencil. Of course, the dancers were moving fast! And apart from the movement, they were also contorting their bodies! Quite amazing to look at, but, hard to draw! But, thanks to my 3/o son, I have training in sketching people who move at 100 mph!

Below is my setup. Just before I started the painting. I used Cheap Joe’s easel. For my plein air paintings, I have been using Winsor & Newton’s Bristol easel due to its light weight (sitting on the ground to paint is also very userful!). I used Holbein paints, Isaby mops and Creative Mark Rhapsody Kolinsky brushes. The paper I used was Arches 140 lb CP.

Live event painting setup. Blank paper awaits. Artist - Tesh Parekh

I started with a pencil drawing. And by this time the dancers were gone. So, I used my reference sketches to complete the drawing. Rest of the painting was mostly from the memory. I worked fast and furious. My mops, sables and lovely wife Mica were huge help! Below is your truly, painting.

Tesh Parekh - Live Event Artist at work.

The finished painting was given away in the raffle. Here I am with the lucky winner Joye Speight (right) of Virtue Event Planning & Consulting, Inc.

Joye Speight (right) won live event painting in the raffle. Artist - Tesh Parekh

I am loving the painting journey. While the biggest reward is the learning and being able to create what I enjoy, I am also thankful for my live event and wedding painting commissions.

- Tesh Parekh

Artist & Photographer

www.RaleighWeddingPainter.com

Be a fan of my work: facebook.com/weddingpainter

tesh@teshfineartphoto.com

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North Carolina Wish Upon A Wedding, Live Event painting. 22x28. Oil on linen. Live event artist - Tesh Parekh

It was quite an honor doing a live event painting for the launch of North Carolina Wish Upon A Wedding. The launch party was held at Top of the Hill restaurant in Chapel Hill (the Great Room). WUW supports such an amazing cause! I met so many wonderful people at this event (I had the privilege of knowing many of them prior to this event). I thank the NC chapter of WUW for giving me the opportunity to participate. I look forward to working with this non-profit- for live painting as well as for photography.

This was a  large live painting- 22×28. Oil on linen.  I paint live in watercolors as well. The event was from 6 PM – 9 PM. I arrived at the venue an hour early to setup. Deciding what to paint and how much to paint are two of the most important decisions. Most weddings have a window of 5-8 hours during which I paint either ceremony or reception. The size of the painting is one of the factors that decides the amount of time needed. Bigger painting in shorter time meant that I would be working quickly. Here is my setup:

My setup for live event oil painting at the Top of Hill restaurant in Chapel Hill. Live event painter - Tesh Parekh

I toned the linen and then started blocking in major shapes and tones. Live painting is an alla prima painting. So, all the concepts of all prima apply when you are painting live. This is similar to painting en plain air. The difference is that many of the weddings and events are indoors (you almost always have to carry your own light for the easel).  Also, most plein air paintings are landscapes or cityscapes, with human subjects being of lesser importance. Wedding paintings (at least the ones I paint) are focused on the bride & groom. Events are different. Some of the events do not have a well-defined subject. So, having the event program was a big help (one of the benefits of working with wedding planning professionals!).

I painted some of the background before event guests started to arrive. Once the attendance was full, I made pencil sketches for my reference. I make quick pencil sketches when I paint live. I use some of those in the finished painting. When the chapter president Veronica Foster spoke briefly, I captured that in the painting. I enjoyed talking to many event guests and fellow wedding professionals while I painted. The photographers and videographers of the event have captured my painting progress- I look forward to seeing those images and video clips. I tightened up and finished the painting before end of the event. Here is the finished painting on the easel:

Finished live event painting on the easel. Notice how the ambient light has changed. Wedding and Event painter - Tesh Parekh

The painting is now with NC WUW. I look forward to donating my live wedding paintings to WUW.

I used variety of artist oil colors and brushes for this painting. I currently do not use any chemicals or additivies when I paint live. This keeps the painting process odor-free, toxin-free and the paintings chemically sound. I know some artists use paint thinners like OMS. Just because OMS is odor-free does not make it less toxic! And while it is possible to create giant paintings quickly by thinning the paint, the long-term stability of such paintings is doubtful (not to mention that the paint will look flat soon). I want my patrons to enjoy their commissions for a very long time as heirlooms. So, I strive to use the best materials. That is one of the reasons I use quality linen as a support.

My next project is to create painting for a competition…

- Tesh Parekh

Artist & Photographer

www.RaleighWeddingPainter.com

Be a fan of my work: facebook.com/weddingpainter

tesh@teshfineartphoto.com

919-622-5399

I have done several paintings of the Durant Nature Park in Raleigh (NC). That includes Plein Air paintings and sketches as well. I love this park which is closer to my home. I often schedule photography sessions there. There are two little lakes in the park. The lower lake is closer to the entrance. I did this painting during the summer. But, I used palette of yellows and earth colors which gives it a fall feeling.

This is a studio piece. At the time I was working on this painting, I was studying Nita Engle‘s painting techniques. Nita’s style is unique and exciting. I own her book “How to make a watercolor paint itself“. I like to learn and use variety of techniques. Not just for the sake of learning techniques, but, to suit different subjects and media. While I like Nita’s work, my personal preference is for a painting that is based on a good drawing. I also hate using the masking fluid. I know that purists accept the use of masking fluid but frown upon the use of gouache! Joseph Zbukvic- another favorite watercolorist of mine, uses white gouache for accents in his paintings. I was tempted to use the masking fluid for this painting. But, ended up not using it. I did throw lot of paint in the beginning. It was a complete mess! And the Arches 140 lb CP paper warped as I did not stretch it prior the painting session. I worked in stages. This process tests my patience! With alla prima and plein air paintings, I get to see the result in relatively short time-frame. The longer process keeps you on the edge.

Hopefully, it will be cool enough to paint outdoors soon. Meanwhile, I am enjoying painting live at weddings and events. My latest live painting was a watercolor at the Pavilions at the Angus Barn wedding reception. I am scheduled to paint live tomorrow at the Wish Upon A Wedding‘s Launch party in Chapel Hill. But, I may paint that in oil. And I am also working on couple of contests…

"Lower Lake Sunset". Watercolor on paper. 21x14. Available. Artist - Tesh Parekh

- Tesh Parekh

Artist and Photographer

www.RaleighWeddingPainter.com

Be a fan of my art: facebook.com/weddingpainter

email: tesh@teshfineartphoto.com

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Drake and Dash. Live Wedding Painting (The Pavilions at the Angus Barn, Raleigh, NC). Watercolor. 13x19. Artist - Tesh Parekh

This was my first time painting at the Pavilions- a beautiful venue! I thank Drake for giving me the opportunity to paint this special occasion! I also thank Kelly Joslin of the Angus Barn for her help before and during the event.

I paint in both oils and watercolors (see my portfolio). Drake’s preference was a watercolor. She also wanted me to paint the reception. Her special request was to also paint wedding guests dancing.

It was unusually cold outside. But, inside of the Pavilions was nice and cozy! The reception was scheduled to start at 7:30 PM. I arrived earlier to find a good spot. I carried a portable light with me since the ambient lighting was dim inside.

My setup. It was darker inside once the reception had started. Artist - Tesh Parekh

I made reference pencil sketches before the reception started.. The view inside was not only dark for a painting, but also complicated! It took me bit of planning to work out the composition. I painted the ceiling with big ass fan (yes- that is the name of the fan!).

When the first dance started, I made pencil sketch for my reference. And when the guests started to dance, I made additional pencil sketches. I love these reference pencil sketches as much as I love finished paintings! My subjects are always in constant motion, so, I have to sketch quickly. So, my pencil sketches have the energy which is not always visible in the paintings. I practice to work quickly with a pencil when I sketch my 3 y/o son! Good drawing is the foundation for my paintings.

I was glad to show the work-in-progress to Drake and Dash. I heard  nicest things about this couple, while I painted. I had many guests who stopped by to look at my work and offer kind words. And the Angus Barn team frequently checked on me.

I did a pencil sketch during the first dance and then painted that in. Artist - Tesh Parekh

I finished the painting before end of the reception. I framed and photographed the painting. Drake was pleased with the painting. The finished painting was displayed on the easel.

I was able to finish, frame and display the painting by end of the reception. Artist- Tesh Parekh

Twenty-One Films has captured my painting process on the video- I look forward to watching their beautiful work.

I used Holbein paints, Winsor & Newton/ Isaby/ Creative Mark brushes, and Arches 140 lb CP paper for this painting. I had broken my old easel during previous live painting! So, I used Cheap Joes new Signature Field Easel. This easel is similar to the Joseph Zbukvic easel. But, it is small and flimsy for my kind of use. So my search for good easel continues!

I did not rely on the photos for this painting (although sometimes it is necessary).

I love the challenge of painting live! With the God’s blessings, I will continue to learn new ways of painting and my techniques will get better. But, my prayer is to always have the most important ingredient- my faith…

- Tesh Parekh

www.RaleighWeddingPainter.com

facebook.com/weddingpainter

919-622-5399

email: tesh@teshfineartphoto.com

Pursuit of Light. 24x18. Oil on Linen. Artist - Tesh Parekh

While I am preparing to paint live this weekend (wedding reception at the Angus Barn Pavilions), I just received this news! My painting “Pursuit of Light” has won honorable mention in the Jerry’s Artarama’s Lukas competition. Quick post- will write more about this painting soon…

- Tesh Parekh

www.RaleighWeddingPainter.com

facebook.com/weddingpainter

919-622-5399

email: tesh@teshfineartphoto.com

"Flowers of Fresh Affairs". An Alla Prima painting by Tesh Parekh. Oil on Canvas. 18"x24"

This is a fun painting I did at the Fresh Affairs in Raleigh. Lyn Graves had kindly invited me to paint live at the Tabletop Extravaganza. I have seen and captured the work of Fresh Affairs team many times- it is simply spectacular!

It was a HOT day in Raleigh and I was glad to be painting indoors! The light inside was dim with many little spot lights highlighting beautiful floral arrangements and table top displays. I noticed this beautiful arrangement and decided to paint it. Of course, that meant setting up in a small space and painting in semi-darkness! But, I enjoyed it! I enjoyed meeting many of my friends from ISES and many brides-to-be.

This was a quick painting. When I paint live at weddings and events, I paint people. However, in this painting I wanted flowers to be the focus. After all, those are works of art too…

- Tesh Parekh

Live Wedding Painter and Photographer

www.raleighweddingpainter.com

www.iwpphotography.com

facebook.com/weddingpainter

919-622-5399

email: tesh@teshfineartphoto.com