“I changed my painting style to a more gestural figures in bold forceful brush strokes something which I have been perfecting since 2003 and now the figures are becoming more subtle and the sweeping gestural strokes are becoming the louder expression in my paintings”

Raman Bhardwaj is a South Asian illustrator based in Greensboro, North Carolina. An extraordinary, multifaceted artist with a long career, who is currently freelancing as an illustrator, painter and muralist. 

His artwork ranges from bold, expressionistic paintings, to saturated ethnic art, to pop art to realistic paintings and murals to figurative line drawings.

In this Q&A South Asian illustrator Raman Bhardwaj shares with Pose Space how his style changed over the years, his background as an artist, his favorites materials, and more:

Can you tell us about your background and how you got interested in art?

A: I am a South Asian artist born in India in1976 and now based in NC, USA. I fell in love with drawing when I was about 6 years of age though my parents used to saiy I have been doodling on their books since an infant. In my school days I drew a lot and by 7th standard I decided to join the College of art after completing school and be a professional artist.

What are your goals or aspirations as an artist?

A: I want to have my art exhibitions in reputed galleries in America and Europe. I want to have my work owned by some famous museums in the world. I want to paint some murals in different countries and I want to illustrate some children books for renowned publishers.

How has your style changed over the years?

A: In fine arts, I started as a realistic figurative artist though I also delved in stylized figurative line drawings and about 6 years I changed my painting style to a more gestural figures in bold forceful brush strokes something which I have been perfecting since 2003 and now the figures are becoming more subtle and the sweeping gestural strokes are becoming the louder expression in my paintings. 

What do you think of PoseSpace? Do you have a favorite model?

A: PoseSpace is a great resource of anyone interested in figure drawing from models.

I do not have a favorite model but I have taken reference for some of my drawings from PoseSpace.

What advice would you give to beginner artists?

A: Sketch a lot. If your drawing is perfected you can do anything be it painting, sculpture or design.

Do you prefer a series of materials (certain colors, utensils …) when creating, or are you changing?

 I prefer painting mostly with Acrylics, rarely oils.  I use beige, black, orange, red, ultramarine blue in most of my works.

Rebirth of Venus Mural at Brewers’ Kettle, Kernersville, NC. 2018. 15 x 8 ft.

Do you have a favorite living artist, whether famous or completely unknown?

A: I like the hyper realistic works of Spanish artist Eloy Morales.

Instagram: @artistraman

Website: www.artistraman.com

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