Ahalya, one of the most tragic characters in Indian mythology has been a subject of several serious debates. When Brahma created her as the most beautiful woman no one would have predicted how agonising her future life would be. The tragic story of ‘Ahalya’ and Indra’s lust and subsequent revenge appears in the Valmiki Ramayana. Married to the great sage and a much older Gautama, Ahalya’s story has been recounted over and over again due the epic proportions of hardships, sacrifice and spousal devotion. A princess of the Puru dynasty, Ahalya, was seduced by Indra by treachery, was cursed by her husband to turn into a stone. Indra was besotted by Ahalya’s beauty and was intent on seeking her companionship. So, Indra disguised himself as Gautama and Ahalya allowed Indra into her home. Several texts narrate her ordeal of how the king of gods, Indra, came disguised as her husband, and Ahalya accepted his advances falling prey to Indra's trickery. Later when Gautama arrived and saw Ahalaya and Indra, he cursed both of them possibly reserving the harsher one for his wife. In all the popular retellings developed over time, Ahalya was cursed to become a stone and regained her human form after she was brushed by Lord Rama's foot. As she was eventually brought back to life by Lord Rama who was on his way to Janakpuri for Sita’s Swayamvar, Ahalya was said to have attained moksha (liberated from the cycle of rebirth). With a god like Rama, appearing as the eventual agent of her liberation and redemption, Ahalya was never regarded as an adultress but always a pious woman of divine birth who remained dedicated to her husband’s wishes both before and after being cursed. Like Shakuntala nad Damayanti, Ahalya too reappeared in Raja Ravi Varma’s oeuvre as one of his several Nayikas or heroine with her story and different moments of her life retold again and again. Printed at the Ravi Varma Press Picture Depot, this oleograph portrays Ahalya in a forest possibly near to Gautama’s hermitage. Two different versions of Ahalya’s story were adapted into lithographic prints in the Ravi Varma Press. In this first depiction, Ahalya is dressed in a white saree and seen in the forest with a basket of flowers in her hand. As she blissfully looks directly at her viewers one is made aware of her naivety and innocence as she stands amidst wilderness. The white represents a virtuous and pious woman, and the forest serves as an idyllic setting for Ahalya whose life was about to be turned upside down. In one of the other oleographs titled Ahalya Shaap Vimochan or Ahilyodhar (The Release of Ahalya) (c. 1910). Ahalya can be seen bowing in front of Lord Rama with folded hands after being brought back to life. Along with Rama we also see the great saint Vishwamitra and Rama’s sibline Lakshmana. The landscape around Ahalya has now changed drastically. However, it is the other oleograph called Ahalya Indravalokan (c. 1910), that marks the beginning of the torturous chapter in Ahalya’s story. Here we see Ahalya carrying a basket of flowers and plucking flowers off a tree in her garden and Indra appears far in the background flying on a horse styled like a unicorn called an Uchchaihshravas. Often glorified as the first of the Panchakanya (lit. ‘five virgins’) Ahalya is considered an epitome of feminine purity. Other than Ahalya, the Panchakanya group includes Draupadi, Sita, Tara and Mandodari, extolled as archetypes of female chastity whose names are believed to dispel sin when recited. Unlike other Ravi Varma heroines, Ahalya is both simplicity and modesty personified. Her quiet strength and tenacity is palpable in the way she holds the gaze of the onlooker. Full clothed with her hair untied, the slightly bashful Ahalya’s boldness differs from that of a Mohini or Shakuntala, as we see here a married woman who is aware of her beauty but is aware of her role as a wife and the sheer strength of her character. Ravi Varma, Hamsa Damayanti Samvad, Ravi Varma Press Picture Depot Image courtesy: Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation Ravi Varma, Ahalya Shaap Vimochan (The Release of Ahalya), Ravi Varma Press Image courtesy: www.columbia.edu Ravi Varma Press, Ahalya Indravalokan, Ravi Varma Press Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons RtistiQ brings to you the Raja Ravi Varma Phygital NFT art auction that will be held between the 28th- 31st July’22. Don’t miss out and collect them all by clicking here. https://art.rtistiq.com/en/auction/raja-ravi-varma-nft-drop2/lots

RtistiQ

24 Jul 2022

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Raja Ravi Varma was a distinguished and prolific artist of the 19th century, who has carved a name for himself, in the European school of Indian artists. The painter prince, as he is popularly known, Ravi Varma was one of the first Indian artists of his time to master the Western painting techniques and successfully translate them into the Indian scenario. His visual interpretation of Indian mythologies using European painting techniques, made him a much sought-after artist of his era. He hailed from the village of Kilimanoor, in the former state of Travancore in Kerala and was of an aristocratic lineage. Having exhibited his artistic prowess from a very young age, he succeeded in attaining the patronage of Ayilyam Thirunal, the then Maharaja of Travancore. Later he was under the tutelage of the British painter Theodore Jenson, from whom he mastered the art of oil painting. His portraits featuring royals and eminent personalities of the time were much sought after, earning him commissions all over the country. The press Ravi Varma’s contribution to the art world has been nothing short of revolutionary. With his modern realism techniques, which depicted Gods and Goddesses and scenes from epics like Ramayana and Mahabharatha in a realistic way, he managed to capture the imagination of the whole country. This included the Dalits who were prohibited from entering temples at that time. His paintings also earned him the accolades of an international audience. Along with being a talented artist, Ravi Varma was also a great visionary, who helped shine the spotlight on his talented fellow artists and paved the way for their success. His dream was to make art accessible to the common man and not limit it to the cream of society. This led to the establishment of his lithographic press, to make reproductions of his work for the layman to enjoy. In the year 1894, the eponymous lithographic press was started by Ravi Varma, in Mumbai. This was managed by his brother Raja Varma, before being taken over by a German company. The lithograph This featured lithograph titled ‘Madri’ is based on the original oil painting by Ravi Varma titled ‘Maharashtrian lady with fruit’. This colossal, original oil work is now a part of the collection of the Travancore royal family, in Trivandrum. Madri is a character from the world-renowned epic, Mahabharatha. She is the second wife of Pandu, the father of the Pandava princes and mother to Nakul and Sahadeva. But the original painting does not suggest a connection to the mythological character in any way. Image courtesy: Google Arts & Culture; Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru The subject of the lithograph is a beautiful lady dressed in a traditional Maharashtrian sari of luscious crimson silk, holding a plate of fruit. The fact that the identity of the exemplar remains unknown, casts an aura of intrigue on the painting. Ravi Varma was known to have travelled extensively in search of the right subjects, for his portraits. Like in most of his paintings, the mystery lady in this painting too, has large, beautiful, expressive eyes, which was often a benchmark for beauty in ancient Indian culture. The picture itself is vibrant, showing off the beauty and richness of the lady’s jewel toned sari and the exquisite detailing of her jewellery. She looks directly at the viewer, exuding a rare sense of confidence and power. The plate of fruit suggests a European influence in his still life paintings. Fruits have been traditionally used as a symbol for fertility and manages to subtly imbue, a sense of sensuality to the female subject. This painting is a classic ode to Ravi Varma’s unparalleled skills in mixing colors, so that it lends an almost real-life quality to the skin color and clothes of his subjects. Ravi Varma’s triumph as an artist, lies in his unique flair for capturing a ‘slice of life’ and transferring it to his paintings, by the skillful play of light and shadows, manipulation of colors and his emotive subjects. These factors create a mood which mimics real life to such a degree, that the viewers can almost visualize the subject stepping out of the painting. For instance, if we compare ‘Madri’ to his other famous painting, titled ‘Stolen interview’ (also known as ‘Hesitation’), they provide a study in contrasts. ‘Stolen interview’ depicts a couple, who appear to be lovers, engaged in what the title suggests - a stolen interview. The lady in the painting is modestly dressed and plucking at a rose, which has been apparently gifted by her paramour. Her gaze is lowered, and she appears to be coy and bashful. Her body language seems to suggest that she is nervous and excited in equal parts. The man’s expression is one of subtle passion, as he gazes nervously at his beloved. Flowers feature in many of Ravi Varma’s paintings and in this painting, it is symbolic of love. While the whole mood of this painting conveys a sense of romantic tension, the mood in ‘Madri’, speaks of a woman, who is very much comfortable in her skin and her bold direct gaze and body language is proof of this fact. She exudes a sense of subtle sensuality, while still maintaining a sense of decorum. Why Rtistiq is having an auction Ravi Varma’s oleographs of Indian divinities, still grace the homes and shrines of people and are collected for posterity. His work continues to influence lives even a century later, in subtle ways. His prints can be seen on calendars, posters, religious prints, jewelry, and textiles. It is enjoyed and revered by people all over the world. In 1979, the Indian government declared Ravi Varma paintings a national treasure and banned exports of the same. Most of his work is exhibited in museums or owned by private collectors. The rarity with which these paintings come for sales and auctions as well as their sheer exclusivity, make them a high-value investment. This auction is important as it gives the buyer the distinctive chance to own a rare piece of painting, that has captured the imagination of people, the world over. The fact that these prints are extremely rare to come by makes them a unique collector’s item. RtistiQ brings to you the Raja Ravi Varma Phygital NFT art auction that will be held between the 28th- 31st July’22. Don’t miss out and collect them all by clicking here. https://art.rtistiq.com/en/auction/raja-ravi-varma-nft-drop2/lots

RtistiQ

20 Jul 2022

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For someone brought up in an Indian household, mythological stories from epics, holy texts, folklore and oral culture have been an integral part of our lives. Indian mythic lore is replete with fantasies, mysteries, heart-tugging love stories, tales of valour, sublime tragedies, observational humour and much more… Raja Ravi Varma, an artist ahead of his time reimagined several such mythical episodes and breathed new life into them in his inimitable style. It was for the first time that these gods, demigods and fantastical characters were transported from the temple walls to canvases and lithographic prints. These representations bearing these fascinating men and women remain imprinted in the popular imagination. This particular oleograph titled Hamsa Damayanti Samvad, tells the epic tale of Raja Ravi Varma’s most inspirational character, ‘Damayanti’, who appears in the Mahabharata. Damayanti was the daughter of the Yadava King, Bhima, the ruler of Vidarbha. She is said to be possessed of such beauty that even the Gods wanted to marry her. As it happened, the hero or the Nayaka of the story, was the king of Nishadha. Though a valiant warrior and a noble king, Nala was still unmarried. One day a brahmin (a priest) visited his court and on learning of his bachelor status, he suggested Damayanti’s name. At Nala’s insistence, the brahmin painted an image of the princess and on seeing the painting Nala fell in love with Damyanti. Then, one day, Nala caught a beautiful divine swan having the ability to speak with humans. Nala agreed to free it only after the swan vowed to fly to Damayanti and sing praises of Nala before the princess. As per the story, the swan came to Damayanti’s palace extolled King Nala’s virtues and similarly told him of Damayanti’s extraordinary beauty. And from here commenced the eternal love story of Nala and Damayanti. With the messages of love being carried to and fro by the swan, Nala and Damyanti are drawn toward each other despite being miles away from each other. In this oleograph, Damayanti, who is eagerly waiting to hear from the swan is immensely relieved as the swan swoops in while she waits with bated breath to hear about her beloved Nala. Later, how Damayanti and Nala meet and eventually get married is a fascinating story that deserves an individual piece of text. Ravi Varma, Hamsa Damayanti Samvad, Ravi Varma Press Picture Depot, 1928 Image courtesy: Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation Raja Ravi Varma immortalized the moment when Damayanti meets the swan in Hamsa Damayanti Samvad translated to the 'Meeting of Damayanti and the Swan'. Draped in red and green silk saree bordered with gold brocade, Damayanti is modesty personified but she is unable to disguise the eagerness with which she looks at the swan fly back to Nala after she has conversed with the bird. Standing amidst the lush palace gardens, a few lotus petals and leaves are strewn at her feet, possibly mutilated while she waited for the swan to visit her. The image continues the story of Hamsa and Damyanti, the subject of a famous Raja Ravi Varma painting called Hamsa Damayanti (1899). The painting shows Damayanti earnestly listening to the swan as he narrates Nala’s praises. The swan sits on an ornate pillar in the lotus pond and Damayanti listens to the divine being. This oleograph continues this compositional narrative where we see Damayanti sending the swan back to Nala carrying her message. There are noticeable changes in the oleograph as Damayanti wears a slightly different saree and blouse, her jewellery and hairstyle, and the landscape in the background appear slightly different as well. The swan on its part sports a distinctive yellow plume on its head in the oleograph. Raja Ravi Varma, Hamsa Damyanti, 1899, Oil on canvas Collection: Sree Chitra Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons In all this, the genius of Raja Ravi Varma is quite discerning as he effortlessly transmorphed the text into an image. The brilliance of this small encounter between the princess and the divine swan mentioned in Mahabharata and Naishadha Charita was hard to imagine till Ravi Varma gave us the visual depiction of the scene. Now, we know who is Damayanti, we know how her and Nala’s eternal love story took off, we are made aware of her beauty, her emotions, her eagerness, and all in all we are witness to this fantastical encounter between her and the talking swan. And, like Damayanti, Raja Ravi Varma brought to life many other Nayikas and their stories that were hidden inside the tomes, as sometimes we tend to skip over mortals in our pursuit of God. RtistiQ brings to you the RajaRavi Varma Phygital NFT art auction that will be held between the 28th- 31st July’22. Don’t miss out and collect them all by clicking here. https://art.rtistiq.com/en/auction/raja-ravi-varma-nft-drop2/lots

RtistiQ

18 Jul 2022

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AboutRRV and his fascination for the art form Raja Ravi Varma, who is often referred to as the father of Modern Indian art, was a prolific artist of the 19th century, and a distinguished name in the European school of Indian artists. The painter prince, as he is popularly known, Ravi Varma was one of the first Indian artists of his time to master the Western painting techniques and successfully translate them into the Indian scenario. His visual interpretation of Indian mythologies using European painting techniques made him a much sought-after artist of his era. He was of an aristocratic lineage, hailing from Kilimanoor, in the former state of Travancore in Kerala. Having exhibited his artistic prowess from a very young age, he succeeded in attaining the patronage of Ayilyam Thirunal, the then Maharaja of Travancore. Later he was under the tutelage of the British painter Theodore Jenson, from whom he mastered the art of oil painting. His portraits featuring royals and eminent personalities of the time were much sought after, earning him commissions all over the country. The press Ravi Varma was revolutionary in his contribution to the art world. His realistic depictions Gods and goddess and scenes from epics like Ramayana and Mahabharatha, captivated and fascinated the country, (especially the Dalits who were prohibited from entering the temples at that time) as well as an international audience. Along with being a talented artist, Ravi Varma was also a great visionary, who helped shine the spotlight on his talented fellow artists and paved the way for their success. His dream was to make art accessible to the common man and not limit it to just the cream of society. This led to the establishment of his lithographic press, to make reproductions of his work for the layman to enjoy. In the year 1894, the eponymous lithographic press was started by Ravi Varma, in Mumbai. This was managed by his brother Raja Varma, before being taken over by a German company. The lithograph This lithograph of the painting titled ‘Chitralekha,’ depicts a scene from the epic Bhagavata Purana. Princess Usha draped in a yellow saree, sifts through the numerous paintings made by her friend Chitralekha. She tries to identify the prince who has tormented her dreams and stolen her heart. Usha gasps with pleasure as Chitralekha finally shows her Aniruddha’s picture. He is the grandson of the Vaishnava deity Krishna, whose portrait is seen on the table in the lithograph. Image courtesy: Google Arts & Culture; Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru The beauty of Ravi Varma’s paintings lies in the fact that the artist has reimagined the mythological stories, which are deeply enmeshed in the psyche of the people. Through his modern realism techniques, he has depicted his characters with emotive faces, bestowing them with humaneness and almost palpable emotions. His masterful combination of style, color, and emotions has created masterpieces that make many scenes from epics, come alive in the minds of the viewers. Raja Ravi Varma’s artistic genius lies in his masterful blending of light and shadows and his mastery over the use of colors. This seems to add a sense of depth to his paintings and often highlights the emotions of the characters in his work. For example, if we compare ‘Chitralekha’ with another of his painting titled ‘Disappointment’, the contrasting emotions the two paintings depict are apparent. In ‘Disappointment’, the longing in the subject’s eyes, along with her body language and the mood of the painting evokes a sense of loss and grief. In Chitralekha, the perceived angle of light, the mood, and the emotive subject convey apparent jubilation on having identified the object of the heroine’s affection. Why Rtistiq is having an auction? Ravi Varma’s oleographs of Indian divinities, still grace the homes and shrines of people and are collected for posterity. His work continues to influence our lives even a century later, in subtle ways. His prints can be seen on calendars, posters, religious prints, jewelry, and textiles, enjoyed, and revered by people all over the world. In 1979, the Indian government declared Ravi Varma paintings a national treasure and banned exports of the same. Most of his work is exhibited in museums or owned by private collectors. The rarity with which these paintings come for sales and auctions and their sheer exclusivity, make them a high-value investment. This auction is important as it gives the buyer the distinctive chance to own a rare piece of painting, that has captured the imagination of people, the world over. The fact that these prints are extremely rare to come by makes them a unique collector’s item. RtistiQ brings to you the Raja Ravi Varma Phygital NFT art auction that will be held between the 28th- 31st July’22. Don’t miss out and collect them all by clicking here. https://art.rtistiq.com/en/auction/raja-ravi-varma-nft-drop2/lots

RtistiQ

17 Jul 2022

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Raja Ravi Varma, the pioneering 19th-century artist is credited with many firsts - the first artist to use oil as a medium, one of the earliest Indian artists to have been exhibited abroad, rendering Indian subjects in the western academic style, and opening the nation’s first lithographic printing press. Along with these many feats, Ravi Varma gave us the “ideal Indian woman” and thus came to life goddesses, nymphs, queens, and so many other feisty women. Amongst his many avatars was Vasantika, an apsara (a celestial nymph) who appears in the middle of a forest. As her name indicates, Vasantika represents the oncoming of the Vasanta ritu or the spring season, The Ravi Varma Press printed lithographs of three ‘nymphs’ based on original oil paintings created by the master artist. They were ‘Padmini’ ‘Varini’ and ‘Vasantika’. Hindu, Jaina and Buddhist mythology define an apsara as a supernatural celestial being possessed of eternal youth, inconceivable beauty mastering different kinds of arts. These mysterious and seductive apsaras wander between earthly and heavenly realms, enchanting gods, demons and humans alike. The other two Raja Ravi Varma lithographs featuring Padmini and Varini come close on the heels of Vasantika in terms of iconography and composition. While Padmini, or the lotus nymph, is draped in a diaphanous pink saree as she stands amidst a pond of lotuses. Similarly, Varini, the third nymph in this series appears in a forest where her face is turned away from the viewer, one can only see her in partial profile. A pink saree is draped around her lower torso while her upper torso is bare. These three lithographs which celebrate the fluidity of Raja Ravi Varma’s strokes in a brilliant manner stand as a testament to his penchant for depicting female forms in diaphanous drapes. All the three nymphs are in one or the other way associated with nature. In some mythological texts, Vasantika is described as having similar qualities as that of the forest goddess Aranayani. The Rg Veda defines Aranayani as elusive, fond of quiet glades in the jungle, and fearless of remote places. Ravi Varma, who was fluent in the textual traditions imparted his Vasantika with these qualities of Arnayani. In this oleograph, the beautiful nymph can be seen standing amidst a dense grove draped in a translucent pink saree clutching a bunch of flowers in her hand. The ‘Flame of the Forest’ tree is clearly visible behind the nymph. With her long flowing hair untied, Vasantika is adorned in jewellery made of flowers. A combination of a goddess and a nymph, the apsara playfully looks at the viewer as she stands in striking contrast to the wilderness of the forest behind her. Away from the prying eyes, she roams in the virgin forests far removed from civilization leaving the abundance of spring in her wake. This lithograph of Vasantika symbolises spring or the season that heralds blossoms and nature. The artist has represented her divine beauty as the ultimate temptress — someone whose charms are impossible to ignore. In a rare and unlikely juxtaposition, Ravi Varma willfully combined the ethereal beauty of a goddess with the playfulness of a nymph in Vasantika. Something must also be said about the saree and its effect on the onlooker - a cool tone of pink that is diaphanously draped over the nymph’s body. The wispy cloth almost melts away in the breeze becoming one with it, while the silken folds of the saree barely cover enough to let the viewer’s imagination run wild. This quintessential temptress shows enough skin here and there to make the most erudite mortals mesmerised. In Vasantika, Raja Ravi Varma turned a goddess-nymph into a mortal but immortalised the ideal female form. Moving away from the archetypal depictions, the legendary artist celebrated the beauty of the nymph by keeping her as close to reality as possible while imparting an ethereal radiance that comes out in this powerful, moving and ever-so lyrical depiction. RtistiQ brings to you the Raja Ravi Varma Phygital NFT art auction that will be held between the 28th- 31st July’22. Don’t miss out and collect them all by clicking here. https://art.rtistiq.com/en/auction/raja-ravi-varma-nft-drop2/lots Ravi Varma Press, Vasantika, 1890 Image courtesy: Google Arts and Culture; Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation Ravi Varma Press, Padmini, 1890 Image courtesy: Google Arts and Culture; Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation Ravi Varma Press, Varini, 1890 Image courtesy: Google Arts and Culture; Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation

RtistiQ

15 Jul 2022

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Don't Give Away Too Much Information. The best way to write an art description is to use words that will intrigue potential buyers. Use adjectives to describe the subject matter, and avoid using technical terms. If you're selling a painting, try to keep the description short and sweet. You don't need to go into detail about the materials used or the techniques employed by the artist. Instead, focus on describing the piece's style and mood. Use accessible language and avoid using over-sophisticated concepts or art professionals' specific jargon. Be cautious not to fall into the opposite extreme and create a basic description, “art for dummies” style. After all, the art enthusiasts and collectors are a highly educated public. Take advantage of free marketing tools. Most of art collectors research and buy art online in the post-pandemic world. Using search engine marketing is possibly one of the most effective marketing tools. Begin drafting your art description by listing keywords and phrases relevant to your art and that people might use when searching for art. Spread them across your entire text and make sure your final description makes sense. Do not go overboard and abuse this tool. Do not repeat the keyword more than twice in the entire text. Exceeding this limit could cause the text to be flagged for keyword-stuffing and could affect Google rankings. Keep it brief. At Rtistiq, we recommend your art descriptions to be between 200-500 characters. In an ever-accelerating world, like the one we live in, the attention span is surprisingly short. We all look for relevant information in the shortest amount of time. You can always follow the example of the world-renown art museums that are reinventing their exhibition labels, for example, they offer a potential interpretation and historical context for abstract artists and their body of work. Many institutions are now considering a more socially and culturally diverse audience that is likely to return if not bored, overwhelmed, or confused. Do not write a description for the sake of writing one. Avoid repeating your bio or the information related to physical aspects such as size, orientation or packaging and delivery. This information is collected separately. During the upload process, you will be asked to fill in all this information one by one. Engage with your audience. Your story and your art are unique, make yourself heard. Art collectors are looking not only to expand their art collection but also to get insights or access to the untold story of an attractive piece of art. This is a great opportunity to communicate directly to your audience without being mediated by a curator. It might sound scary, but we encourage you to take the plunge and tell the story in your own words, it will make you stand out from the rest of the original artwork for sale online. Highlighting specific details in your art, special techniques, or placing a particular work in a larger context of your career will make your art description enticing. To answer your question “where to start?”, we’ve put together a set of questions that could serve as a guideline for an engaging and relevant artwork description: ● What inspired you to create this artwork? ● What is the message you want to convey in this particular artwork? ● What meaning do you attach to it? ● How does this artwork fit in with the rest of your artistic portfolio? ● What kind of techniques did you use? ● Has this artwork been part of an exhibition or referred to in a publication? And finally, leave a little room for mystery. Don’t give it all, let your audience want for more. RtistiQ artmarketplace offers you the opportunity to showcase your art in a way that suits your vision. You can always take advantage of the rest of the tools to organize your portfolio under series so that all visitors can enjoy and appreciate your creation, and ultimately be the decisive argument that converts a “like” into “I have to have it”.

RtistiQ

08 Jul 2022

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With a rapid transition from brick-to-mortar galleries to digital art marketplaces, many artists face almost every day the challenge of digitizing their art. The art buyers are now online, on social media platforms, and on specialized curated art platforms. To help artists bring their art into the digital realm, in the best possible way, we’ve put together a guide on how to photograph your artworks by using a device that is already in your pocket, your mobile phone. Since many art buyers are not able to experience your art in person, they rely solely on images provided by the artist. Taking good pictures of your works of art will enable the buyer to appreciate your art and make their purchase decisions. At RtistiQ, we accept images up to 30MB (we recommend up to 10MB for faster response) and at least 1920x1080 pixels, JPEG/JPG/PNG files for any potential buyer to have a detailed view of the Artwork. A Full HD has an image pixel count that equates to only 2MP and for a 4K display, it bumps to 8MP. Just about every phone that isn't a pure budget handset is likely to shoot 8MP - iPhone 6 & above / Samsung Galaxy S2 & above. So you are usually set with the Mobile Phone's rear camera to take acceptable-resolution images. Below are some of the photographing tips when using your mobile phone: Choose the right lighting Lighting is one of the most important aspects of photographing your artwork. It affects everything from exposure to color balance. So, before you take a picture, make sure you understand how light works. Take advantage of natural light. Use natural light/daylight, most smartphones handle natural light much better than artificial light. Make sure you position them in front of a window or other source of bright light. Shoot with the sun behind you. If you're shooting indoors, use natural light as much as possible. This will give you the most flattering lighting. If you're outside, avoid direct light onto the artworks. Adjust your position to avoid casting a shadow by not stand between the light source and the Artwork. Manging color gradients If you notice color gradients in your pictures (the part of the artwork closest to the light source might be lighter than the rest), use a simple piece of white paper to bounce off the light on the darker part of your artwork. You might need a second pair of hands for this operation. Positioning your Mobile Phone for best results Hold your phone parallel to your artwork to avoid distortion. Be extra careful with the framing. Move your phone slowly until the sides of your canvas are parallel with the edge of the screen. Leave as little as possible space around your canvas, this will help achieve the best resolution. Hold the phone still. If you plan to upload many artworks it might be worth purchasing a tripod. Tap the best part of the Image When you get the best image on the screen, just tap it, this will help with exposure and the sharpness of your image. Avoid Zooming in too much for better Resolution Move yourself closer to the Artwork rather than zooming in too much using your mobile phones. Most phones support digital zooming only, which reduces the image resolution and will not give the best results. Basic Editing using your phone Almost all smartphones support basic editing of the pictures taken, which should enough without spending on image editing softwares. If the image is not straight, you can slightly rotate it or crop the edges, if required. Job done! You are now ready to upload your art. External Links Additional link references for you to get further details on your Camera and other tips from Pro Photographers, which we found to be interesting. Phone Camera Resolution 10 Tips From the Pro Photographers Contact US You may reach our curatorial team by writing to curators@rtistiq.com or visit our Contact Us page to drop us a message. For additoonal support articles on registration and other queries visit our Help Center for Artists. To register as an artist on the platform please follow the link for registration on Rtistiq now!

RtistiQ

30 Jun 2022

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One cannot remain oblivious to the current buzz around NFTs. Almost all niches are talking about it, but the entertainment industry, including gaming, the visual arts, sports, and music, have benefited the most. If you're interested in investing in NFTs but aren't sure what they are but want a high-level overview, this blog is an excellent place to start. What is an NFT? NFT (Non-fungible token) describes a token that is both unique and unreplicable since it is composed of discrete parts that no one cannot use interchangeably. It means there is only one NFT in circulation, in contrast to the millions of units in circulation for cryptocurrencies. As they can be copied or traded for another, they can be bought and sold like any other piece of art. Since blockchain technology is utilized to verify the authenticity of NFTs, it will quickly expose any forgeries. For example, you can copy or take a photo of “Mona Lisa” art, but it doesn't mean you have the original art in your possession. To put it simply, NFT is effective in the same way. To clarify the operation of NFTs, let's assume we have access to a single image we can mint in the blockchain as NFT, and then we can sell it on the NFT marketplace. What is the meaning of a fungible token? Start by looking at this type of token for simplicity's sake. Tokens that are "fungible" can be traded for other tokens of the same type. Here's an example: a friend borrowed an old $10 bill. After a while, this friend can return a brand new $10 note, which will still be worth the same as the old one. However, NFTs cannot be exchanged for another asset, such as you cannot exchange Mona Lisa art just by copying it. What benefits investors will get from NFTs? As a cryptocurrency-like digital representation of rare items, NFTs have provided a new revenue stream for collectors and artists. In their digital form, fewer expenditures associated with upkeep and more asset protection are two other benefits of NFTs. In addition, it opens the door for traders and collectors to transact NFTs with reduced transaction costs, which could eventually transform how we gather rare collections. Some specific advantages of NFT are as follows. 1. Investors get ownership authenticity. Blockchain technology ensures the integrity of NFTs by linking the asset to a single record of ownership. NFTs can only ever have one owner, as their indivisibility makes it impossible to divide them among other people. 2. Verifiable originality of items. Furthermore, blockchain stores additional metadata about the integrity of NFTs, such as who owns them. This is why NFTs cannot be copied, replicated, or substituted for another. 3. Easily transferable. For example, the gaming business is where the benefits of NFTs become most apparent. We used to be able to leave in-game purchases in the game if we chose to stop playing permanently, but now we can take them with us. In addition, NFTs let players acquire virtual objects within a game and hold onto them indefinitely, whether using them in-game or putting them away in a digital wallet when they're done. Conclusion NFTs are a promising asset class for the knowledgeable investor, notwithstanding their relative novelty. They are indestructible and immune to environmental and mechanical factors. As a result, you could use them to make millions. If you would like to know then please do write to artworks@rtistiq.com or drop us a message by visiting our Contact Us page.

RtistiQ

30 Jun 2022

5 min to read

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To succeed in business, one must always look for methods to improve one's offerings and differentiate themselves from rivals. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are a relatively new method for accomplishing this. You can include tokens like these in a company's tangible goods and services to provide customers access to features they wouldn't get with more conventional offerings. This article will discuss five ways companies can improve sales and differentiate themselves by using NFTs with traditional products. It is referred to as "Phygital" as they combine both online and offline features. What is an NFT, and How it functions? Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) are blockchain-based digital assets with the added functionality of smart contracts. NFTs are unique and cannot be exchanged for another token, unlike conventional cryptocurrencies (which also operate on blockchain technology). When an NFT is created, it is assigned a one-of-a-kind ID that no one cannot modify once it has been recorded in the blockchain. Five ways to integrate NFTs with physical products. 1. Gain customer trust by offering transparency. The widespread availability of data has only increased consumers' appetite for additional insights. As a result, consumers will do their homework on various brands and items before making a purchase. Because of this, companies need to be more open than ever to win and keep customers' confidence. 93% of consumers feel confident in a business is critical to continuing to be devoted to the brand, according to data from recent research. Customers will have an easier time verifying product authenticity and gaining insight into your supply chain if NFTs are embedded into your items. In addition, NFTs can provide an essential degree of credibility that can build faith in your consumers because the data is stored in the token and therefore is secured due to the decentralization of the blockchain. 2. Safeguard brand image by utilizing NFT. Both mainstream consumer and premium brands are frequently targeted by counterfeiters, damaging their reputation and sales. Including a certificate of authenticity can be advantageous for high-value items, limited edition products, and collectibles, although even these can be faked to some extent. In other words, using NFTs does away with the requirement of a reliable third party to verify transactions. It is made possible because the data regarding the possession and replicability of the fundamental asset is stored on a public blockchain and can be accessed by anyone. Therefore, before making a purchase, customers can use them as self-authenticating certificates of authenticity, which means they can serve the same purpose as the originals. 3. Easily trace each product. With NFTs, you may provide a distinct digital identifier to each of your items through a process called serialization. Like any product code, you may use this one to access the corresponding data on the blockchain. Because of this, it is more secure and efficient than alternative methods, such as secret registration number databases. Moreover, every newly minted physical thing is recorded separately from the rest. For this reason, the blockchain process will also document each object's previous owners and whether or not they resold it. 4. NFT can facilitate remanufacturing and reverse supply to improve waste disposal. There is more to the production management puzzle that NFTs can assist solve than simply making things traceable so that both you and your customers know where they went. They can also include vital information about adequately disposing of each item to reduce its environmental impact, bringing the user deeper into the product's life cycle. 5. Increase income from royalties. People buy mass-produced goods for a few cents becoming priceless relics for collectors years later. The thought of sharing in that success excites you because you were the one who first made it. If you create a new token (NFT) for the product and include royalty fees into the smart contract, you can. It will allow you to earn more money if your items are exchanged on supported exchanges. Conclusion NFTs provide numerous advantages for companies that include them in their existing physical offerings. The capacity to embed royalty payments into each product, enhanced openness that can develop customer confidence and the potential to use NFTs as assurances of validity are just a few examples. Each of these advantages contributes in its particular way to the success of your company. In addition, they provide a richer set of resources for companies to protect their products and brand image just like RtistiQ. Check out our website at art.rtistiq.com to learn more.

RtistiQ

30 Jun 2022

5 min to read

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What is Lithography? A lithograph is an image produced via a special stone inking process called lithography. Lithography is the process of printmaking in which an image or a design is drawn onto a flat stone (or a prepared metal plate, usually made of zinc or aluminium) and affixed by means of a chemical reaction. The word lithography is derived from a combination of two Greek words: ‘lithos’ meaning stones and ‘graphien’ meaning to write or to scratch. In this planographic printing process the surface containing the image is rubbed with a greasy substance that allows the ink to adhere to it, while the non-image surface is made ink-repellent. Invention of Lithography German author and playwright Aloys Senefelder invented lithography in the late eighteenth century (1798) by accident. Senefelder, who was looking for a practical way to publish his plays, used a Bavarian limestone as the printing surface, and called this process ‘Chemical Printing’. This invention made colour printing easier now that different colours could be applied to separate stones and overprinted onto the same sheet. Lithography also made it possible to print a much wider range of marks and areas of tone than was possible with earlier printmaking relief or intaglio methods. Till the nineteenth century this much sought after graphic art form, which was an expensive method back then, was not used for commercial purposes. Originally associated with printing maps and music, lithography was later used by iconic artists like Odilon Redon, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol in their works. Smiling Spider by Odilon Redon, 1891 Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons The Process This printing process is based on the simple principle of immiscibility of oil and water. The intended image or design for the lithograph is created directly on a polished slab of limestone using an oil-based lithographic crayon or ink such as tusche, crayon, pencils, lacquer, or synthetic materials. The stone is ready to be etched or processed once the image has been made. During this part of the process the printing surface or the surface where the intended print is to be transferred, is kept wet so that the grease-based ink when transferred will only stick to the oil-receptive surface. The drawn surface is then inked and then the ink is transferred to a sheet of paper by putting the paper and the printing surface through a special press. Even if the process of lithography is used to copy an existing work of art, each lithographic edition is different from the other. A lithograph can be identified by its distinctive dot pattern because there are always differences in how the ink creates a randomly scattered image in different papers. In India, in the year 1894, Raja Ravi Varma started The Ravi Varma Fine Art Lithographic Press at Girgaum, which was later moved to Ghatkopar in Bombay, and finally shifted it to Malavli, near Lonavala in 1899. Ravi Varma pioneered this painstaking process of image reproduction and produced oleographs of his popular works and thus democratising the art of collecting. Often mistaken for oil paintings, Oleographs, also called chromolithographs, are lithographic prints textured and designed to resemble an oil painting. These coloured lithographs are produced by preparing a separate stone for each colour and they are printed by placing one colour over the other. Sometimes, a single print could need as many as 30 stones! Later, the print is placed onto the canvas and then varnish is added to mimic the look of an oil painting. Some of the most evocative Raja Ravi Varma oleographs like Shakuntala Janma, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Mohini, Vasantika, Ahalya, Arjun Subhadra, Sharda, Madri and many others were a result of this technique. This printing press was the largest picture printing establishment in India, and the most innovative. Along with hand-colouring, the process involved using as many woodblocks or litho-stones to match the colours and tones to transfer the image. It would take several months to produce an oleograph depending on the number of colours present in the original work. The oleographs printed here were very popular and continued to be printed in thousands for many years, even after the death of Raja Ravi Varma in 1906. In today’s day and age, these rare lithographs are prized collectables. Raja Ravi Varma, Birth of Sakuntala (Shakuntala Janma) Image courtesy: Google Arts & Culture; Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation Raja Ravi Varma, Lakshmi Image courtesy: Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation Raja Ravi Varma, Saraswati Image courtesy: Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation Raja Ravi Varma, Mohini Image courtesy: Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation (Facebook Page) Historical Significance Lithography revolutionized the world of printmaking when it was invented by Alois Senefelder in 1796. Before lithography, the dominant printmaking techniques were labor-intensive and time-consuming. Lithography offered a more accessible and efficient method, enabling artists to reproduce their work on a larger scale and reach a wider audience. This led to a democratization of art, making it more affordable and allowing for the dissemination of ideas and aesthetics. The indian master artist Raja Ravi Varma, gained greater popularity using Lithography as a medium to reach a wider audience and garnered a mass appeal for his paintings covering Indian Mythology, Gods and Godesses. Other major artists who have embraced Lithography include, Toulouse-Lautrec, Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dali, David Hockney, Jim Dine, Wayne Thiebaud, Yoshida Hiroshi, S Nandagopal, Kim Tschang Yeul, Tyeb Mehta, Wu Guanzhong, who have all used to technique and contributed to the advancement of Lithography across the globe. Their lithographic works have not only gained recognition within their respective regions but have also made an impact on the global art scene, enriching the diversity and depth of lithography as an art form. Artistic Potential and Characteristics Lithography as a medium offers artists immense creative potential. Its versatility allows for the reproduction of various artistic styles and techniques, ranging from detailed line work to rich tonal values. Lithographs can capture intricate details and textures, resembling original drawings or paintings. The ability to work directly on the plate also allows artists to experiment, revise, and explore different effects, making each lithograph a unique piece of art. Collecting Lithographs Collecting lithographs can be a rewarding experience for art enthusiasts. When considering lithographs for your collection, it is important to pay attention to factors such as the quality of the print, the edition size, and the condition of the artwork. Limited editions with smaller print runs tend to be more valuable. Additionally, the reputation and significance of the artist, as well as the historical context of the lithograph, can greatly influence its collectability and market value. Remember that building a collection of lithographs should be a personal journey guided by your passion for art and the desire to appreciate the unique works of celebrated artists. Take your time, explore various sources, and seek expert advice when necessary to make informed decisions and build a collection that brings you joy and fulfillment. Conclusion Lithography stands as a remarkable art form, offering artists a versatile medium for creative expression and making art accessible to a broader audience. With its rich history, unique technique, and artistic potential, lithographs continue to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts worldwide. By understanding the intricacies and significance of lithography, we can appreciate and engage with this art form on a deeper level.

RtistiQ

24 Jun 2022

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