The Pigment Trail

“Much-loved scraps, curious treasured acquisitions and handwritten letters fall together on my studio table – delicate flowers, rich with their inspiring shades of old rosebuds; some handmade paper from Jaipur, dyed with tea; and others screen printed with gold patterns.”

When I fell in love with India, I discovered it to be my personal, artistic inspiration; the colours, the people, the smells, the light. Below is an insight into how this inspiration became an ode to India in the form of my book, The Pigment Trail, and how my love affair with Unison Colour pastels flourished.

I had always wanted to visit India. My home and life have always been full of colour and vibrancy and most assumed I had already been, as I have a large, blue Shiva god in my kitchen. (I bought it many years earlier, just because it had such a beautiful, serene face.) 

When I first travelled to India some years ago I had just a sketchbook, watercolours and some pencils. I was hungry for new cultures, landscapes, stories, traditions… A tapestry for my imagination. When I wandered the streets and saw the striking walls, the textures, the imperfections, the aged patina, the rich vibrant colours – I panicked! I saw there was no white anywhere and I’d need more than watercolours and pencils to recreate the landscape. I set out that evening, jumped in a tuk tuk with my friend Pushpendra, and headed to the bazaar. We bought patterned paper’s, Hindi newspapers and glue, then went back to my hotel to collage and cover and stain every white page in my book! This was the real start of my exploration in India. I learnt that collage, colour and texture were vital in understanding this country.

Now I travel with my sketchbooks pre-prepared, thick with collage and paint. I pack many materials, but I always have my half-pan of 63 colours of Unison soft pastels. In recent years I have favoured the use of concertina books, which I load up with tactile, handmade, dyed fabric covers in London, before filling them with India’s energy upon my arrival. The sketchbooks are the beginning of my creative process. They are an insight into my creative thoughts, responses and inspired moments. My books have become very precious to me. Packed with collected treasures I am transported the moment I open the pages; the people and places, my observations, the smells… It makes me smile.

My favorite pastels for travelling in India

When I set off for a day exploring and drawing in India, my materials need to be immediate to capture the unexpected moments. I find a spot and aim to attract as little attention as possible. However, this is almost impossible with a box of pastels that no one has ever seen the likes of before – they appear to be beautiful, jewel-like, sweet treats and everyone is curious! Whilst I chat with shy ladies just behind me, Rajesh, a local man, brings me Chai. The sight of me creating is new to everyone and they are proud I have chosen their shop or house to sit and draw.

I start sketching out the strong shades. As I mentioned before, there is no white, just vibrant colours. Time-worn and crumbling textures become my canvases, and I create a visual collage with paper’s, pastels and acrylic. I adore the beautiful simplicity of everyday life; a colourful washing line, the pots, bikes, pink doorways, temples and secrets. I build up the pastels, then paint them and start to draw into it.

I travel with the 63 half-pan starters set because of the size and perfect colour combination. I treat my collection with care: replacing colours as they run out, and I have even made my box a handmade sari bag to protect it! My favourite and most used Unison Colour pastels are Red 17, Blue Green Earth 9 and Blue Violet 12 and 10.

Inspiring India

“A devotee walks in brightness,
with wisdom to offer;
the evening light shines kindly,
and the marigold range of his robe
compliments the rich cobalt blue wall.”

India has a unique colour palette and its own identity, and it is everywhere. However, something I find so special about the country is that you have to look really hard to see the beauty in all its dimensions. It is affected by light, age and a little accidental magic – the glow of the marigold orange sari as it floats past the turquoise wall as the sun catches it… These precious, captivating, colourful moments happen often for those who truly look, and are the very essence of this extraordinary country and its love of colour.

If I close my eyes, I can summarise some of the shades… I’m on a narrow street in Jodhpur, the houses glowing in rich sky blues, from deep lilac purple to faded sun dried lime washed pales. A string of golden yellow marigolds hangs above the door, a small temple is carved into the stone and Krishna is resplendent in blue. A minty faded green, a pale dusty rose pink and a bright hot fuchsia pink sari. Immerse yourself to find so many more combinations.

My inspiration comes from everyday India; new colours painted over old to celebrate a wedding or festival, textiles piled on a bench by a chipped wall, a torn poster, a string of dried up and faded roses, opulent palace walls with extraordinary frescos. The luminous, the shiny, the pale, the bright – the colours are all there, just waiting to be discovered.

The Pigment Trail

Through my sketchbooks, photography, collections, designs and drawings, I have created my own unique and intimate portrait of India, seen through the eyes of an artist. My observations transport you to the beauty and richness of the country’s everyday life.

Published in Spring 2024, The Pigment Trail is a colourful, creative ode to India. Formed from the pages of my sketchbooks, it documents the wonders I witnessed in beautiful India, focusing on design, colour, pattern and texture. Join me on a voyage through Rajasthan’s streets…

“Intriguing shades of textiles, frayed and unevenly faded,
imprints on crisp cotton, worn with time,
dusky pinks framed by the sweet blue lime wash workshop
My avocado stone dye made a delicate shade of vintage rose.”

With the intention of bringing the essence of India into the homes of others, I created this book to document the colour, life and beauty I found there. Through collage and mixed media, The Pigment Trail is packed with fabulous adventure. Allow this book to take you on an exotic voyage full of joy and wonder. Full details of where to buy at debraluker.com/book.