Rhitambara
“I paint to capture the quiet, contemplative moments that so easily slip away — the way low morning light warms an untamed garden, the silence of botanical forms, and the tactile stillness of water. Gouache, with its rich opacity and light-absorbing matte finish, grants each piece an intimate, grounded presence.”
The Artist
Rhitambara is an independent visual artist working primarily with gouache and mixed dry media on heavyweight archival papers. Working from her dedicated studio, her pieces arise from slow observation, daily sketchbooks, and a lifelong reverence for the subtle variations of light.
Her one-of-one original paintings and fine art editions are held in private collections across India, the UK, Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia. Alongside full-scale paintings, she creates intimate hand-painted bookmarks and stationery that carry the touch of original art into everyday life.
The Practice
Gouache has been Rhitambara’s defining medium for years. Known for its intense pigmentation, quick drying time, and velvety matte finish, it does not reflect ambient light like oil or varnish, allowing the viewer to engage directly with the pure pigment.
Every work is created on 100% cotton mould-made archival paper (300gsm), selected for its enduring longevity and tooth. Working in intimate, collectible scales invites closeness: a pause in a hurried world, rewarding patient contemplation.
The Studio
The Process
Observation
Pencil sketches and quiet looking in gardens, streets, and domestic corners.
Pigment Mixing
Hand-mixing matte gouache hues with palette knife on porcelain.
Layering
Applying opaque washes and velvety darks onto heavy 300gsm cotton rag.
Refinement
Fine brushwork, edge control, and dry-brush highlights.
Archiving
Signing, documenting, and packaging with acid-free glassine.