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Hand-Painted Indian Portraits: Expressive Faces by Debolina

byDebolina Majumdar YadavBased in Bengaluru; Ships across IndiaStarts from₹3,500 per artworkView full gallery

I capture the soul of India through my brush. From the weathered grace of a Rajasthani elder to the vibrant colors of a Kathakali dancer, these portraits are stories told in watercolor.

A watercolor portrait of a Rajasthani woman, part of my series on Indian beauty. I used a dark background to emphasize the rich colors of her attire and her thoughtful expression.

The Rajasthani portrait displayed on my easel. The play of light and shadow on her face and the texture of her clothing were a wonderful challenge to capture in watercolor.

A quick watercolor sketch of a man in a vibrant orange turban. Capturing the essence of a person's character with just a few brushstrokes is a practice I truly enjoy.

An acrylic on canvas portrait of a Rajasthani man with a colorful turban. The black background makes the colors of the turban and the details of his face stand out dramatically.

A candid shot of me working on a watercolor portrait. My weekend afternoons are my sacred time to paint my heart out and create pieces like this one.

A watercolor portrait of a sadhu, done as a practice work. Even on basic paper, the goal is to capture a sense of self-realization and inner peace.

Titled "In Leisure," this watercolor painting depicts two men resting. I often paint people in moments of peace and relaxation, perhaps as a contrast to my own busy life.

My painting "In Leisure" framed and displayed in a cozy corner of my home. The warm fairy lights add to the serene mood of the artwork.

A process video showing the detailed brushwork required to paint a Kathakali dancer. This award-winning piece was selected for the IWS-India Olympiart exhibition.

The final framed painting of the Kathakali dancer. It was an incredible honor for this piece to be selected for the world's biggest watercolor festival in Delhi.

About Portraits of India: Faces & Figures

I believe every face tells a story, whether it is the weathered grace of a Rajasthani elder or the vibrant, dramatic makeup of a traditional dancer. I paint these on archival-quality Arches 300GSM paper using professional Mijello Mission pigments, ensuring your portrait stays vibrant for years. If you want to turn a special memory or a loved one into a piece of art, send me a photo—let us talk about how to capture that specific emotion.

Selected for IWS-India Olympiart exhibition. — Approved by the tribe
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Debolina Majumdar Yadav

Based in Bengaluru; Ships across IndiaStarts from ₹3,500 per artwork

I am Debolina, and my studio is a messy but happy corner in Bangalore where code meets crayons. Whether I am painting a Rajasthani elder or a dancer in full regalia, I just want to bring the soul of the subject onto the paper. It is my way of keeping stories alive, one brushstroke at a time.

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Titled 'A Life Well Lived,' this large watercolour piece celebrates the beauty of old age. The vibrant colours of the turban and shirt contrast with the detailed wrinkles on his face, each one a mark of time and experience.7
I love the genuine warmth in this man's smile. In this watercolour portrait, I used soft washes of colour in the background to bring the focus entirely on his kind eyes and gentle expression.
'AN OLD BODY,' a watercolour portrait that explores the textures and tones of age. The bright red of the turban bleeds softly into the background, creating a halo effect around a face full of character.
This piece, 'AN OLD BODY 2.0,' continues my exploration of age and character in watercolour. I focused on the kind eyes and proud moustache, using the wet-on-wet technique to create a soft, blended effect.

Watercolour Portraits: Capturing Stories on Paper

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Mohammad FaizanShips custom artwork across India
A watercolour portrait from my "Sadhu" series. The strong sunlight and deep shadows help to define the subject's features and convey a sense of spiritual intensity.15
An acrylic portrait of a man in a bright yellow turban, created during an online demonstration. Acrylics allow for bold, expressive brushwork and rich colour.
A watercolour portrait of a man in a vibrant orange turban. I used wet on wet techniques and splatters to create a dynamic and expressive feel.

Faces of India Character Portraits

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Amit DhaneStudio in Pune; Ships artworks across India
This 2021 watercolor portrait of an elderly woman is a study in capturing wisdom and experience. The detailed wrinkles and the direct gaze were my focus, aiming to show a life story in a single expression.82
In this advanced portrait, I focused on the translucent quality of the blue veil and the way it frames her face. Capturing the intricate details of the jewelry and the texture of aged skin is a meditative process.
This portrait is a study of how strong sunlight falls across a face, creating a stark contrast between light and shadow. It's these moments of dramatic lighting that can reveal a subject's form and mood.

Soulful Watercolor Portraits Capturing Life's Stories

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Uday BhanCommission online, ships across India
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A series of my acrylic portrait paintings displayed on a wall. The theme for this collection was capturing women in a moment of quiet rest and self-care, using bold colours and expressive brushstrokes.
A vibrant portrait study using acrylic markers. I love experimenting with unconventional colours, like the bright blue hair and yellow highlights, to create a striking and energetic piece.

Custom Portraits, Watercolors & Caricatures

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Divya BhatiaAvailable online & across India; Studio in Goregaon West
Fresh from the easel, this watercolor on Arches paper captures a Naga warrior in a moment of quiet reflection. I focused on the fine details of the traditional headdress and the expressive look on his face.4
Fresh from the easel, this watercolor on Arches paper captures a Naga warrior in a moment of quiet reflection. I focused on the fine details of the traditional headdress and the expressive look on his face.
'Sun and Sand' is a watercolor masterpiece depicting two men in Rajasthan. Every stroke on the high-quality Arches paper is deliberate, showing my control over the medium to capture the light and texture of the scene.
A portrait created entirely with watercolor. This medium allows for a unique fluidity and transparency, creating a soft yet intense look that is very different from my textured acrylic work.

Original Watercolor Paintings and Portraits

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Verde CanvasView at Indiranagar & Krishnarajapuram
A hand-painted circular canvas depicting a Kathakali dancer, capturing the 'Adbhutam' (wonder) expression. This piece is part of a series celebrating the nine 'Navarasas' or emotions of classical Indian dance.26
Hand-painted floral motifs inspired by traditional Indian design, created for a serene prayer room. The artwork adds a sense of handcrafted elegance and spiritual calm to the sacred space.
A pen and ink style digital sketch of Jew Town in Fort Kochi. This illustration captures the nostalgic atmosphere of the narrow lanes, historic architecture, and tangled wires of this unique neighborhood.

Cultural Narratives and Thematic Art Collections

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Studio Rudranee SABased in Mumbai, travels across India for projects

More from Custom & Commissioned Artwork by Debolina Majumdar Yadav

FeaturedIndian Deities & Spiritual ArtCustom Portraits: Your Story in WatercolorNostalgic Illustrations: Homes & MemoriesFandom & Pop Culture CommissionsLandscapes & Cityscapes of IndiaNature's Palette: Florals & FaunaSketches from Life: My Travel & Daily JournalMy Creative World: Studio, Process & Exhibitions

More services by Debolina Majumdar Yadav

Custom MuralsOriginal Art for Sale
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