"Spectrum Stories" An Art Talk by Camel

Name of the Department: School of Fine Arts

Name of the Event/Activity/Workshop/Seminar: Spectrum Stories-An Art Talk by Camel

Date: 28 & 29 August 2025

Venue: Aaditya Hall and Fine Arts Lab

No. of Participants: 106 Students & 9 Faculty members

The School of Fine Arts, in collaboration with Camel, organized a two-day art event titled Spectrum Stories on 28 and 29 August 2025 at Aaditya Hall and Fine Arts Lab, which brought together knowledge, creativity, and practical exploration for the students of the Department of Applied Arts & Sculpture and the Department of Painting, Printmaking & History of Art. The event unfolded in two phases—Day 1 focusing on the theoretical and material understanding of colours, and Day 2 on their creative application—ensuring that participants not only learned about the science and significance of colours but also translated that knowledge into practice through painting exercises.

On the first day, a highly engaging and enlightening presentation was delivered by the distinguished speaker, Mr. Kamal Seth, Regional Promotion Manager, Camel Northern India, who captivated the audience with his detailed briefing on the science behind colours. He began by explaining the basic principles of how colours interact with light, surfaces, and human perception, allowing students to understand colour not just as a visual element but also as a phenomenon rooted in physics, chemistry and biology. From there, he moved on to discuss the wide range of materials available to artists and how each medium possesses its own unique properties and expressive potential.

He elaborated on the use of different forms of drawing and painting tools, including pencils, coloured pencils, charcoal, dry pastels, and oil pastels, giving attention to how each one serves a distinct purpose in artistic practice. He highlighted the application of photo colours and drawing inks, which offer precision and intensity, and further expanded on traditional and modern painting mediums such as oil colours, acrylic colours, and HD acrylic colours, underlining their differences in texture, drying time, layering possibilities, and permanence. To equip students with professional knowledge, he explained the concept of series in colours, which helps artists identify the quality and price range of pigments, and introduced pigment codes and the standard symbols used on packaging, which communicate vital information such as lightfastness, opacity, and toxicity.

Moving beyond pigments, Mr. Seth described the variety of brushes and canvases available to artists, noting how brush types and canvas textures influence the overall finish of a work. He provided a detailed overview of different painting mediums and additives, including acrylic medium, oil medium, retarder for slowing down the drying process of acrylics, gesso for preparing surfaces, turpentine for thinning oils, picture varnish for protecting completed artworks, and fixatives for securing delicate materials like charcoal and pastels. Importantly, he emphasized not just the uses but also the do’s and don’ts of handling these materials. His talk outlined common mistakes that beginners often make—such as improper mixing, overuse of solvents, or neglecting surface preparation—and he provided practical tips to avoid them. He also stressed the significance of precautions when working with these substances, reminding students of the importance of ventilation, safe storage, correct disposal, and mindful handling to ensure both personal safety and the longevity of their artworks. By the end of Day 1, the students were left with a thorough, practice-oriented understanding of art materials, which bridged the gap between the technical science of colour and its artistic application.

Day 2 of Spectrum Stories shifted from theory to practice and was dedicated to a creative workshop that encouraged students to apply their newly acquired knowledge by working directly with HD Acrylic Colours. Approximately 40 students participated enthusiastically, guided and supported by five faculty members—Mr. Shwet Goel, Ms. Sheetal Chitlangiya, Mr. Vinod Nagar, Ms. Dimple Dalal, and Dr. Hira Lal Kumhar—who themselves joined in the painting process, creating an atmosphere of collaborative learning. HD Acrylic Colours, known for their high-definition brilliance, smooth consistency, rich pigmentation, strong adhesion, and versatility across multiple surfaces, were chosen as the primary medium. Unlike traditional acrylics, these colours do not dry quickly on the palette, giving artists ample time for blending, shading, and creating detailed layers with ease. Their durable finish and vibrant tones made them ideal for both realistic and experimental approaches. The workshop began with demonstrations on how to handle the medium, explore blending techniques, and achieve different textures, after which students and faculty engaged in producing their own works.

The themes chosen ranged widely, giving scope for both structured and imaginative exploration. Some participants painted landscapes, capturing natural vistas with attention to light, colour harmony, and perspective. Others focused on cityscapes, reflecting the dynamism of urban life through structured forms and rhythmic compositions. A few took up figurative compositions, exploring the human form and expressions in vibrant tones, while some delved into more abstract or creative compositions that emphasized mood, emotion, and symbolism over direct representation. The session thus catered to multiple artistic sensibilities, encouraging each participant to express their individuality while working with the same medium. Faculty members painted alongside students, setting examples through their own compositions, which included interpretations in landscape, cityscape, figurative art, and abstract work. This not only motivated the students but also created a sense of camaraderie and shared artistic pursuit between teachers and learners.

The process of painting with HD Acrylics also allowed students to test their understanding of the materials discussed on Day 1, reinforcing their knowledge about brush selection, surface preparation, layering techniques, and drying times, while also enabling them to experiment with innovations such as mixed textures, glazing, or impasto effects. By the conclusion of the two-day event, Spectrum Stories had effectively combined intellectual insight with creative practice, giving participants a holistic experience of art-making. On one hand, the theoretical foundation offered by Mr. Kamal Seth provided students with a deeper respect for the science, chemistry, and technology behind colours and painting materials, equipping them with practical knowledge about their usage, safety, and professional handling. On the other hand, the hands-on workshop offered them the freedom to translate that knowledge into practice, experiment with compositions, and express their creativity in diverse ways.

The event also fostered collaboration among students and faculty, inspiring participants to push their artistic boundaries and discover new possibilities in their own work. It successfully achieved its aim of bridging knowledge with practice, science with creativity, and learning with expression. For the students of the School of Fine Arts, Spectrum Stories was not only an educational initiative but also an inspirational experience, reminding them of the vast potential of colours as both scientific phenomena and artistic tools, and encouraging them to continue exploring, experimenting, and innovating in their artistic journeys.