Ganpati Festival Watercolour & Ink Illustrations
Capturing the vibrant energy of Mumbai’s Ganesh Chaturthi in my sketchbook. From the clay workshops to the bustling pandals, these pieces celebrate the devotion that brings our city to life.
A coloured pencil sketch capturing the creation of a massive Ganpati idol. This piece highlights the artists at work, adding the finishing touches to Bappa before the festival begins.
A detailed watercolour painting of a multi-armed Ganesha idol against a vibrant red background. This was sketched live at the Maladcha Raja pandal, capturing the divine energy of the deity.
From clay idols to a colourful sketchbook page. This video shows the unpainted Ganpati murtis at a workshop that inspired my layered, monochromatic blue watercolour illustration.
Two of my sketchbooks side-by-side, both featuring watercolour tributes to Ganpati Bappa. Each painting offers a different interpretation and style, showing my love for the subject.
So happy to be sketching at a Ganpati idol workshop! Here I am with my finished coloured pencil drawing, surrounded by the incredible murtis in various stages of creation.
My watercolour and pencil colour sketch of the beautiful Ganpati idol at the Bal Vikas pandal in Borivali. I tried to capture the grandeur and intricate details of the decoration.
A close-up of my watercolour sketch of Ganpati, showing the texture of the paper and the flow of the colours. This was painted live during a visit to a local pandal.
Another perspective on the creation of a Ganpati idol, this time focusing on the scale of the murti compared to the artisans working on it. A coloured pencil sketch celebrating the makers.
My coloured pencil sketch held up against the real-life scene at the Ganpati idol workshop. This shows how I translate the large-scale scene onto my sketchbook page.
A short video from the Ganpati idol workshop, showing the artisans at work and revealing my finished sketch. The atmosphere in these workshops is always full of devotion and creativity.
About Devotion in Watercolour & Ink
When I sketch at a pandal or an idol workshop, it isn't just about lines on paper. It’s about feeling the energy of the space, talking to the artisans, and translating that atmosphere into watercolour or ink. I often sketch live, which means capturing the moment while the devotees are buzzing around—it’s an authentic, in-the-moment process that keeps the spirit of the festival alive on the page.
Sketching Ganpati Bappa is special because the atmosphere changes so quickly. In the weeks leading up to the festival, I visit idol workshops like those in Goregaon or Borivali, where the scent of clay and the sight of unfinished murtis tell a story of hard work and faith. You will see this in my work; I don't just paint the idol, I paint the context.
Whether it’s a monochromatic blue study capturing the raw clay idols or a vibrant watercolour of the Maladcha Raja, my approach is to prioritize the feeling of the place. I use professional-grade watercolours and archival ink on 300 GSM paper to ensure these sketches last, just like the memories of the festival.
If you are looking for a piece of this energy for your home, I create custom illustrations based on your own festival memories or visits to specific pandals. We can collaborate on a piece that captures your favourite Bappa, the specific colours of your home decor, or even a tribute to a family tradition. Because these are hand-painted or hand-drawn, every detail—from the idol's expression to the surrounding decor—is customized to your story.
Divya Bhatia
Hi, I'm Divya. I find my peace in the chaos of Mumbai, especially during Ganpati when the whole city feels like one big family. My sketchbook travels with me to workshops and pandals so I can capture Bappa’s spirit before the festival colours fade.
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