Artist inspires amateurs to paint through digital tutoring

Through her digital portal, Artyshils Art Academy, the artist has been teaching acrylic paintings that draw inspiration from myriad cultures in our country. Her works, which bring together nature, animals, humans and mandalas, are quite ethereal.

“I took interest in art as a young girl and used to train others in painting right from the age of 15. But, after I got married, I was moving from city to city and could not hold workshops in person. After a few followers of my work asked if I could hold online classes to help them paint, I decided to dedicate a website for teaching acrylic painting online,” recalls 34-year-old Shilpa.

The artist posts nearly 10 videos on the platform showcasing elaborate steps to create a certain painting — right from sourcing the materials needed to sketching and then using acrylic paints. Over the past two years that she has been hosting digital classes, Shilpa has had over 500 amateurs from the world over starting to paint using her training. As a busy mother of two young boys, she also hosts in-person workshops across the cities of Chennai, Bengaluru and Mumbai every few months.

“Through each of the workshops, while I help people recreate a painting along with me, I also want them to be able to create their own original artworks – so I insist on learning the basics,” she adds.

Social media has helped the art scene in the country immensely, she says. “Through Instagram or any other social media portals, an artist can now connect with the right audience easier than ever before.

“Artists are also getting increasingly noticed through these platforms. It has also become possible for people to pursue art as a full-time career,” Shilpa notes. The artist will be holding two workshops in the city on July 28 along with the Hindustan Trading Company. To be held at the Madras Art Store, the beginner-friendly workshops will help one learn to paint flamingos and waves using acryclics.