My watercolor process

Painting the day away + SDCC

I’m working on a soon to be announced picture book. It’s my first time making a book with watercolor, ink and color pencil. It’s simultaneously exciting and terrifying.

It’s also meditative. Calming. I sit away from a screen, in front of a window where squirrels and birds frolic among the trees. I sometimes lose myself in a pattern or color mixing and forget to eat. I forget the hour. I’m consumed by making art.

I make a lot of mistakes. I smear ink, paint inside the lines and it’s less polished. Those mistakes could be fixed on a digital page. But there’s a charm in it. In a painting, minor mistakes add life and warmth.

As I paint, I allow my mind to wander, resettle and focus. Writing, drawing, promoting and earning a living wage as an author is hard. I plan my work years in advance. I often feel that my schedule and demands are non-stop.

But making this book with a brush in hand feels decadent.

And I am full of gratitude.

Speaking of non-stop schedules, I will be at San Diego Comicon this weekend promoting Super Boba Café! My panels and ARC signings are below.

After Comicon I am away for most of August so I won’t update for a long stretch. I’ll be back in Sept with more.

Until then, happy summer!

last weekend at Disney!

Bambi (sold)

Alice and the Cheshire cat (available)

My watercolors are being framed and unsold pieces are available through Wonderground Gallery. I finished Alice this weekend and had a lovely time talking to kids and adults about the circuitous path to becoming a professional artist. It’s been a whirlwind month of travel and barely any time off. Even though I’m tired, my time at Disney is always refreshing – talking to folks who love and appreciate art is simply the best. I feel fortunate to share that love with so many kind people.

My residency ends this weekend! I will paint my most ambitious piece – Moana and Maui! I hope to see you on my final weekend there!

Have a lovely week!

seattle tomorrow!

I will be speaking and signing books in Seattle tomorrow at Third Place Books in Seward Park. I hope to see you there!

Also I’ll be back at Disney this weekend for more live watercoloring and the release of my new Disney piece! If you’re interested in the original of my first watercolor of Baby Dory or the new Disney print please contact WonderGround Gallery. They can take orders via email at merchandise.guest.services@disneyparks.com or by telephone at 877-560-6477.  Just let Mail Order know that they are interested in the Nidhi Chanani artwork from WonderGround Gallery West and they would be happy to let them know if it’s currently available.

Hope to see you in Seattle or Anaheim!

starting with love

I painted this watercolor on New Year’s Eve… which has never meant much to me but it’s always nice to have a break. I’ve been reconnecting with my sketchbook, which has been lovely.

Happy new year!

disney watercolors

Belle (sold)

The rescuers – available

Esmeralda – available

Pocahontas – available

Mickey and Minnie – available

It’s been a whirlwind of traveling back and forth from southern California – I’ve finished five watercolors while signing, meeting loads of wonderful people and catching up with old friends. Thank you to everyone who’s come to say hi! This Friday and Saturday will be the last of my Disney residency – I’m planning on painting Alice in Wonderland and Lilo and Stitch. If you’re around I hope you’ll swing by! For now these are only available as originals and if Wonderground Gallery receives enough requests they will make them into prints.

If you’re interested in purchasing these originals you can! They come framed, matted and each is priced at $600. WonderGround Gallery can take orders via email at: merchandise.guest.services@disneyparks.com  or by telephone at: 877-560-6477.  Just let Mail Order know that they are interested in the Nidhi Chanani artwork from WonderGround Gallery West and they would be happy to let them know if it’s currently available.

After I return I’ll switch into Emerald City Comicon gear! I’ll be in Seattle at the show from March 2-5, booth 409 and on five panels. I’ll post more about that soon. For now I’ll take a tiny break.

I hope you have a great week!

nachte dil

nachtedil

Available for $100 here

pyari kumari

pyarikumari

I’m excited to share that I will be the artist-in-residence at Disney Wonderground Gallery in Downtown Disney® District this February. That means that every Friday and Saturday evening in February I will be live painting! More details are forthcoming, but I wanted to share it because I’m excited (and a little nervous, too – my first time watercoloring in front of people!)

Hope to see you then! As always, this watercolor original is available here.

korat

korat

available here