Featuring artworks by Asgar Molla, Bhaswati Patra, Tahamina Molla & Amina Molla
Oil pastel painting is a vibrant and expressive medium that allows artists to blend emotion, culture, and storytelling into each stroke. In this special collection, we bring together the creative works of four passionate artists — Asgar Molla, Bhaswati Patra, Tahamina Molla, and Amina Molla — each offering a distinct perspective through the lens of oil pastels.
Asgar Molla, a self-taught artist from the Sundarbans, paints the soul of rural life and human expression. Bhaswati Patra captures the grace and inner strength of Indian women through delicate yet powerful portraits. Tahamina Molla brings a fresh, youthful energy with her unique sense of style and color, while Amina Molla adds warmth and subtlety, portraying everyday moments with deep emotion.
Together, their oil pastel paintings reflect personal stories, cultural roots, and artistic passion — inviting viewers into a colorful journey of creativity and connection.
🎨 Asgar Molla: Nature and Rural Life in Color
Asgar Molla’s oil pastel works often reflect his deep connection to the Sundarbans, where he was born and raised. His paintings blend natural landscapes with scenes from daily village life — winding rivers, humble huts, serene skies, and forest paths. His use of vibrant color and natural light gives his work a lifelike yet dreamlike quality. With every piece, he tells a story of belonging, memory, and the beauty found in simplicity.
🎨 Tranquil Sunset by the Riverside – An Oil Pastel Painting by Asgar Molla
This oil pastel painting captures the serene beauty of rural life at sunset, where simplicity and nature exist in perfect harmony. Using rich, vibrant strokes, the artwork illustrates a peaceful riverside scene with two small cottages nestled under a large tree. Their red roofs glow warmly in the golden light of the setting sun, while lush greenery surrounds the homes, hinting at a life connected to the land.
The sky transitions beautifully from soft blue to a glowing orange, reflecting on the calm river below. A flock of birds flies freely in the distance, symbolizing peace and freedom. Tall palm trees and dense mangrove-like foliage suggest a Bengal countryside influence—possibly inspired by Sundarbans, where the artist grew up.
This oil pastel painting stands out for its use of bold colors and blending techniques, especially in the way light reflects on water and filters through the trees. It evokes nostalgia, warmth, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of ordinary village life.
🏞️ Whispering Hills – A Soothing Oil Pastel Painting by Asgar Molla
This oil pastel painting beautifully captures a peaceful riverside scene set against a backdrop of calm mountains and open sky. The composition draws the viewer into a moment of stillness—where blue-toned hills kiss the sky, and the river flows gently through the landscape, mirroring the tranquility of nature.
The foreground features a mix of bare and leafy trees, suggesting the passage of time and changing seasons. A soft yellow-green slope glows with sunlight, creating a warm contrast to the cool blues of the river and hills. A flock of birds flies gracefully across the open sky, symbolizing movement, life, and harmony.
Created using oil pastels, the blending in this artwork highlights Asgar Molla’s skill in layering color and texture. The trees show detailed highlights and shadows, while the sky and water maintain a dreamy, fluid feel. This oil pastel painting is not just a visual treat—it tells a quiet story of connection between land, water, and sky.
🌧️ Riverside Huts in Rain – A Vibrant Oil Pastel Painting by Asgar Molla
This oil pastel painting brings to life a peaceful village moment during a rainy day. Set beside a winding blue river, two small white huts with thatched roofs sit calmly, surrounded by fresh green grass and shaded by tropical trees. A tall palm adds height and elegance, while gentle blue streaks in the sky suggest soft, refreshing rain falling over the serene landscape.
The river, painted in bold shades of blue, reflects the calmness of rural Bengal, where nature and human life are deeply intertwined. The foreground features warm, fiery tones of earth and foliage, creating a powerful contrast with the coolness of the water and sky—showcasing the artist’s control over oil pastel blending and color harmony.
This oil pastel painting captures both the charm and resilience of rural life. It invites viewers into a simple world, untouched by noise, where rain is not an inconvenience—but a blessing.
🎨 Bhaswati Patra: Portraits of Grace and Culture
Bhaswati Patra specializes in figurative oil pastel painting, particularly portraits of women that evoke elegance, strength, and tradition. Her style is clean and expressive, focusing on posture, emotion, and cultural elements like sarees, jewelry, and everyday objects. Through soft layering and strong outlines, Bhaswati captures not just the appearance but the inner life of her subjects — often rural women portrayed with dignity and warmth.
👩‍🎨 Grace in Simplicity – A Figurative Oil Pastel Painting by Bhaswati Patra
This elegant oil pastel painting by Bhaswati Patra portrays a traditional Indian woman seated gracefully, wrapped in a white saree adorned with colorful polka dots and a soft blue border. Her posture is gentle and reflective, exuding a calm, timeless charm. The artist captures subtle emotions in the woman’s eyes and face, while the flowing fabric and delicate jewelry add to her cultural identity.
The leafy plant near her feet grounds the composition, adding balance and a touch of nature. Bhaswati uses oil pastels with a light yet confident touch, especially in the smooth skin tones, fabric folds, and soft outlines. The contrast between the detailed figure and the white background gives the piece a minimalistic yet striking presence.
This oil pastel painting reflects femininity, grace, and tradition—showcasing Bhaswati Patra’s ability to bring character and warmth to her figurative work with simplicity and heart.
🎨 The Water Bearer – A Traditional Oil Pastel Painting by Bhaswati Patra
This expressive oil pastel painting by Bhaswati Patra captures the beauty and quiet strength of rural Indian women. Dressed in a green-blue saree adorned with bright orange floral motifs, the woman holds an earthen water pot close to her waist. Her calm expression, paired with her graceful stance, reflects everyday dignity and resilience.
The use of oil pastels brings a soft yet textured feel to the fabric, skin tones, and pot, adding depth without overpowering the subject. The bright orange blouse and vermillion bindi add vibrance, while the bangles and red-bordered saree hint at her cultural identity.
Bhaswati Patra’s composition highlights a slice of traditional life with elegance and warmth, making this oil pastel painting a vivid tribute to the spirit of Indian womanhood.
🌸 Grace in Silence – A Portrait in Oil Pastel by Bhaswati Patra
This delicate oil pastel painting by artist Bhaswati Patra showcases a traditional Indian woman wrapped in a soft pink veil, with a gentle gaze full of emotion and grace. The contrast of the deep blue blouse and matching jewelry adds a regal elegance, while the soft blending of pastels gives the artwork a dreamy texture.
Her expressive eyes and carefully positioned hands suggest modesty and introspection. The subtle use of highlights and shadows, especially in the drapery and skin tone, shows Bhaswati Patra’s command over the oil pastel medium.
This painting not only highlights the beauty of Indian attire but also reflects the inner world of the subject—serene, dignified, and full of life.
🎨 Amina Molla: Soft Stories of Stillness
Amina Molla’s style leans toward subtle, calm compositions. Her oil pastel paintings focus on mood and softness — from still-life arrangements to abstract spiritual figures. Her color palettes are earthy and soothing, and her strokes often reflect emotional depth rather than detail. Amina’s approach shows that art doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful; sometimes, the quietest visuals speak the most.
🎶 Divine Harmony – An Abstract Oil Pastel Painting by Amina Molla
This mesmerizing oil pastel painting by Amina Molla captures the spiritual essence of Lord Krishna through a bold, abstract lens. The artwork uses rich, flowing colors—royal blues, fiery reds, golden yellows, and deep blacks—to depict Krishna’s serene face and signature flute in a modern, stylized form.
The central figure is painted with soft, curved lines that evoke both movement and stillness, as if the music from the flute is swirling around the canvas. The posture of the hand, the gesture of the fingers, and the rhythmic layering of color create a visual melody that resonates with the divine.
Oil pastels bring a unique texture and intensity to this painting, making every shade feel alive. Amina’s use of contrast—cool blues against warm oranges—adds depth and emotion to the piece. This oil pastel painting is not just a devotional work, but a celebration of Indian art, sound, and spiritual symbolism.
🎨 Tahamina Molla: A Young Vision with Vibrancy
Tahamina Molla brings a fresh and playful energy to oil pastel painting. Her artworks are often inspired by her surroundings and memories — village roads, cottages, rivers, and hills. Her use of bright, bold colors and natural textures shows a developing talent for capturing atmosphere and movement. She represents a new generation of creators who carry forward traditional art with a youthful spirit.
🏡 Village Pathways – A Work-in-Progress Oil Pastel Painting by Tahamina Molla
This charming oil pastel painting by Tahamina Molla beautifully captures the essence of a peaceful hillside village. With rolling green landscapes, winding brown paths, and cozy red-roofed houses, the artwork invites us into a quiet world nestled between nature and simplicity. A soft river flows on one side, while mountains rise in the distance, sketched gently in purple tones—suggesting the early stages of completion.
The photo also shows the artist’s hand mid-process, surrounded by vibrant oil pastels and black sketch pens, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her creative journey. The strokes are bold yet delicate, blending colors with a gentle touch that adds depth and movement to the scenery.
This oil pastel painting is not just about the final image, but also about the joy of creation. It reflects Tahamina Molla’s love for rural life, storytelling through color, and the expressive potential of traditional media.
🎨 Understanding Different Types of Colors in Oil Pastel Paintings
Colors are the heart of every oil pastel painting, and mastering them can transform your artwork into a vivid story. In oil pastel paintings, colors are more than visual elements—they carry emotions, depth, and atmosphere. Here are the main types of colors and how artists can use them:
1. Primary Colors
- Red, Blue, Yellow
- The foundation of all other colors.
- In oil pastel paintings: Primary colors help create bold bases for skies, flowers, and dramatic highlights.
2. Secondary Colors
- Green, Orange, Purple
- Created by mixing two primary colors:
- Red + Yellow = Orange
- Blue + Yellow = Green
- Red + Blue = Purple
- In oil pastel paintings: Perfect for landscapes—green trees, purple hills, or orange sunsets.
3. Tertiary Colors
- Yellow‑Green, Blue‑Green, Red‑Orange, etc.
- Made by mixing a primary color with a neighboring secondary color.
- In oil pastel paintings: Adds natural shades for grass, water reflections, and sky gradients.
4. Warm Colors
- Red, Orange, Yellow
- Evoke energy, happiness, and warmth.
- In oil pastel paintings: Excellent for sunsets, autumn trees, and floral scenes.
5. Cool Colors
- Blue, Green, Purple
- Convey calmness, peace, and distance.
- In oil pastel paintings: Ideal for rivers, skies, mountains, and evening moods.
6. Neutral Colors
- Black, White, Gray, Brown
- Balance vibrant colors and create shadows or highlights.
- In oil pastel paintings: White enhances light reflections, black adds depth, and brown or gray softens bright areas.
7. Complementary Colors
- Opposite colors on the color wheel (e.g., Blue & Orange, Red & Green, Yellow & Purple).
- In oil pastel paintings: Using complementary colors side by side makes the artwork vibrant and eye‑catching.
🎨 Pro Tip for Oil Pastel Paintings
Start with light colors first, then layer darker tones. Blending warm and cool colors together creates depth and emotional impact in oil pastel paintings.
🌟 Final Thoughts: A Celebration of Expression and Identity
These oil pastel paintings are not just works of art—they are windows into real lives, real places, and heartfelt memories. Whether it’s a forest path, a shy smile, a spiritual figure, or a woman with a water pot, every painting shown here reflects part of a personal or shared cultural story.
Together, Asgar Molla, Bhaswati Patra, Tahamina Molla, and Amina Molla remind us that creativity lives within the ordinary, and art has the power to preserve emotion and heritage. Their dedication to oil pastel painting proves that with passion and patience, even the simplest tools can create something truly meaningful.
🎨 Thank you for joining us on this visual journey. Stay tuned for more artwork, stories, and inspiration from rural India.
Table of Contents
âť“ Frequently Asked Questions About Oil Pastel Painting
Q1: What is oil pastel painting?
A: Oil pastel painting is an art technique that uses soft, wax‑based pastels with vibrant pigments. Artists can blend colors easily to create smooth gradients, textures, and expressive effects.
Q2: What paper is best for oil pastel painting?
A: Textured or heavyweight papers like pastel paper, watercolor paper, or canvas sheets work best. They grip the pigment and allow for better blending without smudging.
Q3: How do I blend colors in oil pastel painting?
A: You can blend colors by layering light pressure strokes, smudging with fingers, using blending stumps, or applying a small amount of mineral spirit for smooth effects.
Q4: How can I protect my oil pastel painting from smudging?
A: Frame the artwork under glass or use a fixative spray designed for oil pastels. Avoid pressing or folding the paper to prevent color transfer.
Q5: Can beginners start with oil pastel painting easily?
A: Yes! Oil pastels are beginner‑friendly because they require no water or brushes. Start with simple sketches and practice layering and blending techniques to gain confidence.
Q6: How long does an oil pastel painting last?
A: With proper care—using acid‑free paper, framing, and keeping away from direct sunlight—oil pastel paintings can last for decades without losing vibrancy.
Q7: What are some easy ideas for oil pastel paintings?
A: Beginners can try landscapes, sunsets, flowers, fruits, or abstract color blends to practice layering and blending before moving to detailed portraits or scenes.
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