Panchatantra

01 Jan 0001

Elephants and King of Mice

Watercolor painting of a whimsical scene: a crumbling, earth-toned village with broken houses, tiny brown mice scurrying around, large grey elephants walking carefully along a different path towards a serene blue lake.  The mouse king, slightly larger than the other mice but still tiny, is shown talking to a large elephant king, who looks kindly down at him.  The background features soft blues and greens reflecting the lake and surrounding landscape.  Focus on creating a light, airy, and slightly whimsical feel using soft watercolor washes.

01 Jan 0001

Fall and Rise of Merchant

Watercolor painting of a lavish wedding feast in Vardhamana, featuring a richly dressed merchant (in deep blues and golds), his daughter (in a lighter blue and pink), the king and queen (in regal purples and reds), and a small, shadowy figure of a palace cleaner tucked away in the background. The scene should be vibrant and detailed, showcasing the opulence of the party but hinting at the cleaner’s resentment.

01 Jan 0001

Fighting Goats and Jackal

A watercolor painting depicting a wise old man with flowing robes of calming teal and sage green hues watching two golden-furred rams butt heads in a jungle setting. The rams, rendered with a sense of dynamic motion, are covered in small red splashes indicating blood.  A smaller, brown jackal with sharp features is intensely focused on lapping up the blood near the rams’ feet, completely ignoring the impending collision. The background jungle should be depicted with a loose, expressive watercolor style, using various shades of green, yellow, and brown to evoke a sense of wild, untamed nature.

01 Jan 0001

Foolish Crane and Mongoose

Watercolor illustration depicting a majestic banyan tree by a shimmering lake.  A large group of cranes (light grey, same shape & size as in prompt 1) are perched in the branches. A mama crane (light grey, matching style to others) cries near the base, where a small, red crab is shown talking to her. A dark, menacing black snake (consistent inky black color) is partially visible in its hole at the tree’s base.  A mongoose (brown and white, same size and shape) is approaching, visible slightly behind the crab to show the progress of the plan..

01 Jan 0001

Foolish Sage

Watercolor painting focusing on the contrast between Deva Sharma and the sneaky man. Deva, in his light-colored robes, sits near a river, his expression a mixture of sadness and resignation,  his posture slumped in defeat.  The sneaky man, depicted in dark, cool colors, is shown running away from the temple, his face hidden in shadow, clutching the money bag tightly. A small section showing the opulent yet simple temple is visible in the background. Use a limited color palette, with emphasis on the contrasting colors of Deva’s clothing and the sneaky man’s dark attire. Maintain consistent character design for Deva and the sneaky man across the entire painting.

01 Jan 0001

Four Learned Fools

Watercolor illustration: Four identically styled Brahmin friends, each a distinct muted color, experiencing the climax of their journey. One is partially submerged in a river, clinging to a leaf, while another is attempting a rescue. The camel is partially visible in the background. The overall tone should convey the tragicomedy of their actions.  Use flowing brushstrokes to capture the movement of the water and the desperation of the scene. Use dark and light values to convey emotion.

01 Jan 0001

Four Treasure-Seekers

Watercolor painting of four friends, consistently sized and shaped, each a different muted color (e.g., pale blue, dusty rose, soft yellow, muted green), traveling through a lush, vibrant landscape. One friend is kneeling beside a pile of shimmering copper coins. Another is examining a glittering silver ingot. A third stands near a mound of gold, looking conflicted. The fourth friend, smaller and drawn with slightly darker, sharper lines, has a spinning wheel on his head, with a dark, mysterious figure standing slightly behind him, while another friend watches sorrowfully from the background. The overall style should be whimsical but with a touch of melancholy. The background should include hints of the wise Yogi in the distance, barely visible amongst the foliage.

01 Jan 0001

Frogs that Rode a Snake

Watercolor illustration depicting Mandavishya, a large, sage-green snake, appearing weak and tired, lying near the pond’s edge. Several bright green frogs, one noticeably larger representing the frog king, gather around him, showing concern. In the background, a dark looming mountain under a slightly ominous, muted sky adds a sense of foreboding. The style should be soft and delicate yet subtly conveys a sense of unease.

Once upon a time, near a big mountain, lived a very old snake named Mandavishya. He was so old he couldn’t catch frogs to eat! He thought, “I’m too weak to hunt. I need a new plan!”

01 Jan 0001

Greedy Cobra and King of Frogs

A watercolor painting of the final scene: A lonely, emaciated brown cobra lies coiled at the bottom of a deserted well, surrounded by the shadows of past victims. A few wilting water plants suggest the passage of time and the cobra’s despair. Gangadatta, a small green figure, is shown in the far distance, happily hopping away, silhouetted against a vibrant sunset. This image should emphasize the cobra’s isolation and the moral of the story. Employ a palette of muted browns, greens, and oranges, with a strong contrast between the dark well and the bright sunset.

01 Jan 0001

Hermit and Mouse

Watercolor painting of a serene temple near Mahilaropyam, bathed in soft sunlight. A kind, older holy man with a warm brown robe is shown slightly bent over, looking concerned near a simple food bowl. A small, grey mouse with bright eyes is peeking out from a hole in the temple wall.  In the background, a slightly annoyed visitor in flowing blue clothes is walking away. The overall style should be whimsical and slightly naive, with soft color palettes.

01 Jan 0001

Jackal and Drum

Watercolor illustration: A slender, tan-colored jackal, Gomaya, with expressive brown eyes, is depicted cautiously approaching a large, dark brown drum in the foreground. The drum sits in a battlefield setting, rendered in muted greens, browns, and greys.  Dried leaves and twigs are scattered around the drum and food items, such as berries and a small pool of water, are visible near it. The sky is a soft, pale watercolor wash of blue and grey. The emphasis should be on the contrast between Gomaya’s timid approach and the abundance of food he discovers.

01 Jan 0001

Jackal's Strategy

Watercolor painting of a clever jackal, Maha, with reddish-brown fur and pointed ears, celebrating a feast on a large elephant carcass in a lush green jungle.  A lion, with a golden mane and muscular body, is walking away in the background. A leopard with dark spots and a tiger with orange and black stripes are also visible, both looking fearful and running away from the elephant. The elephant’s skin is thick and grey, partially torn open revealing its inner flesh.  Use vibrant, contrasting colors for the jungle scene, creating a feeling of excitement and triumph.  Maha should be the focal point, slightly larger than the other animals.

01 Jan 0001

King and Foolish Monkey

A whimsical watercolor painting depicting a king in regal attire, painted in shades of deep red and gold, napping on a luxurious bed. Perched near him is a small, expressive monkey, its fur rendered in warm browns and tans, holding a tiny, decorative sword. Its facial expression is a mix of concern and mischief. A small, almost translucent fly is subtly present near the king’s face. The background is simple, using soft washes of muted greens and blues to emphasize the figures in the foreground. The style should be loose and expressive, utilizing the fluidity of watercolor to convey movement and emotion.

01 Jan 0001

Lion and Foolish Donkey

Watercolor painting of a dramatic scene: Karalakesara, a large, tawny lion with a bandaged paw, lies near a riverbank, looking weary.  A small, sly-looking jackal, with fur the color of burnt umber, stands near him, eyes fixed on a grey donkey, whose silhouette is slightly visible in the cave entrance. The cave opening is shaded and dark. The overall color palette is warm earthy tones with cool blues in the river. The style is expressive and slightly whimsical.

01 Jan 0001

Lion and Jackal

Watercolor painting of a lion (golden-brown fur, large mane), a jackal (sandy brown fur, pointed ears), a wolf (grey fur, bushy tail), and a baby camel (light brown fur, large eyes) huddled together in a lush jungle setting. The lion is slightly injured, looking distressed.  The background should suggest a feeling of impending doom, with dark, stormy clouds gathering.  Focus on the emotional expressions of the animals.

A lion named Vajra lived in the jungle with his friends, a jackal and a wolf. One day, a sick camel was left behind by a caravan. The lion ate the camel, but the baby camel was too little to eat, so the lion kept it as a pet.

01 Jan 0001

Lion that Sprang to Life

Watercolor painting of a dramatic jungle scene. The focus should be on four distinct figures: three in similar attire (flowing robes in shades of olive green and deep turquoise) representing the scholarly friends, and one smaller figure in warm browns and oranges, the clever friend. The three scholars are engaged in reassembling a lion skeleton, which is partially covered in translucent watercolor washes suggesting skin and muscle.  The clever friend, noticeably smaller, observes from a tall tree in the background, his posture and expression conveying worry. The lion’s head should be slightly larger than the other elements to emphasize the looming danger.  The overall style should be reminiscent of a classic watercolor illustration, with visible brushstrokes and a focus on texture.

01 Jan 0001

Lion, Camel, Jackal and Crow

Watercolor painting of Madotkata, a lion with a warm orange mane, a spotted leopard with a similar size and shape to the lion, a brown jackal smaller than the lion and leopard, and a black crow perched on Madotkata’s head; all characters are distinct but similar in style, along with a large, light brown camel standing calmly beside them in a lush green jungle setting. The overall mood should convey a sense of peace and camaraderie before the conflict arises.  Focus on vibrant, natural colors.

01 Jan 0001

Lioness and Young Jackal

Watercolor painting of a lion family: two adult lions (a tawny-colored mother and a slightly darker father), two lion cubs (smaller versions of their parents), and a smaller, more slender jackal cub (light brownish-grey) all together. The background features lush, green jungle foliage, with hints of sunset colors in the sky.  Focus on the emotional connection between the family members, despite the jackal cub looking slightly apprehensive. The lions should have similar styles of mane and fur rendering to indicate family resemblance.  The scene evokes a sense of warmth and family despite the underlying conflict.

01 Jan 0001

Monkey and Crocodile

Watercolor painting of a vibrant scene: Ricky, a cheerful brown monkey with large expressive eyes, sitting in a lush, green jamun tree laden with dark purple berries, sharing berries with Carl, a large green crocodile with friendly eyes, near a gently flowing river. The style should be whimsical and slightly cartoonish, with soft, blended watercolor washes for a dreamy atmosphere. The overall palette should be warm and inviting, using bright greens, purples, browns, and teals.

01 Jan 0001

Monkey and Wedge

Watercolor painting: A rich man’s garden teeming with activity. A half-built temple is the backdrop.  A large wooden log, split apart by a wedge, is the focal point.  Several human workers (consistent size, shape, and warm color palette), are clearly moving away from the scene indicating lunch break. A group of lively monkeys (smaller, consistent size and shape, varying shades of brown) are playfully interacting with the construction tools and the log. One monkey is trapped inside the snapped-shut log. The scene is rendered in a whimsical yet slightly cautionary watercolor style, with bright colors and soft edges.