Driven by a lifelong passion for art, Nishikant faced several challenges, transitioning from an illustrator in the advertisement industry to a full-time artist in 2016. His advertising work earned him a silver medal at the Cannes Awards. He also received a bronze medal from the International Watercolor Society, a silver medal from Camlin, and recognition from the Bombay Art Society.

Nishikant Palande is a Professional Artist and Founder of 'Thoughtline Design Studio'.

He studied art at the prestigious Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai. He also co-founded Kalaarambh, aiming to nurture young talents in the field of art. Additionally, he is a member of the Art Society of India and also serves as the brand ambassador for Wrap and Woof, a company offering a range of art products.

Raised in a small village where art wasn't considered a viable career path and lacked guidance on pursuing it, Nishikant has always harbored a passion for art since childhood. Despite the lack of support, he pursued his passion as a hobby and participated in various art competitions from a young age.

Nishikant belongs to Mukhai, a small village in the Pune district of Maharashtra. Growing up, his father worked as a government servant, and Nishikant often assisted his uncles with farming duties. Despite the lack of resources for his artistic pursuits, he found ways to express his creativity. He recalls molding wet clay from the fields into objects like frogs and parrots, which he would place among the plants, bringing joy to his aunt and attracting other children to admire his creations.

During his school years, Nishikant would fill the back side of his slate with drawings. Although he was an average student, he managed to complete his 12th grade. With a desire to pursue art further, he sought information about arts colleges and discovered the Art Teacher Diploma (ATD) course. His teacher advised him about the career prospects in fine arts, where an artist has to establish oneself before selling paintings, and applied art, which offers a more stable career with opportunities for professional work and earning. Considering his family's limited financial support, he opted for a career in applied arts.

Despite his parents' reluctance to allow him to pursue art education, Nishikant was determined to follow his passion. He made a bold decision to take his father's money for college fees and ran away from home to enroll in the JJ School of Art. Concerned about his disappearance, his parents began searching for him until someone informed his mother about his admission to the JJ School of Art. Despite their worries about his financial situation, Nishikant remained resolute in his decision to study at the prestigious institution.

Initially relying on the money he had, Nishikant managed to secure admission to the college and its hostel. However, faced with the challenge of sustaining himself financially, he turned to his friends for help. With the assistance of a friend, he was introduced to senior artist Suryakant Lokhande, who offered him a job. The salary Nishikant earned not only covered his living expenses but also allowed him to send money to his parents.

Nishikant describes his daily routine, which involved attending college during the day, followed by his job, and returning home around 10 pm to have dinner and work on his college assignments. He recognized this time as crucial for dedicating himself to his studies and building his career. Believing that artists should fully commit themselves during their college years, he focused on honing his skills.

During his first year, Nishikant focused on strengthening his artistic abilities. By the second year, his talent started gaining recognition, leading to orders for writing names on cards, creating caricatures, and designing tattoos for various events. In his third year, he began receiving professional work from advertising agencies, which provided him with additional resources. At someone's suggestion, he also explored subjective photography, purchasing a camera with earnings from painting work. However, he realized that a successful career in photography required financial stability and a strong network, prompting him to refocus on art.

Nishikant advises aspiring artists to stay true to their passion and not be swayed by other career options. While acknowledging the challenges of earning a living solely through art, he encourages artists to persist with passion, believing that work will naturally come to them. He emphasizes the importance of dedication and focus in pursuing a career in the arts, urging artists to remain committed to their art.

After his marriage, Nishikant embarked on a new chapter by starting his own design studio, "Thoughtline Design Studio", in 2013, with the support of his wife. His journey took a significant turn when he received a silver medal at the Cannes Awards for his advertising work. This recognition opened doors to freelancing projects from foreign countries, enabling him to achieve financial stability. With his earnings, he acquired a two-bedroom flat in Mumbai, a milestone he never imagined achieving. He also invested in a flat in his hometown, ensuring the security and comfort of his family. In 2016, he recommitted himself to his true passion, believing that true satisfaction comes from pursuing one's passion rather than chasing financial limits.

To further refine his skills, Nishikant undertook a commercial project involving watercolor painting, investing in high-quality brushes and tools worth Rs 1.5 lakh. He acknowledges the importance of continuous learning and guidance, attending workshops conducted by renowned artists like Amol Pawar, Vikrant Shitole, Prafull Sawant, Bijay Biswaal, and Amit Kapoor. By dedicating himself entirely to his art, Nishikant's efforts bore fruit in 2019, when he received numerous national and international awards for his exceptional work.

Nishikant's mentorship journey has been remarkable, having trained over 5000 students to become professional artists. During the lockdown period, when his main business faced losses and his staff dispersed, he shifted his focus to online teaching. This decision proved fruitful, as he gained many students and conducted multiple batch classes daily for an entire year. Many of his students, driven by their childhood passion for art, found solace and fulfillment in his classes, guided by Nishikant to harness their artistic talents to fulfill their aspirations.

Through his online platform, "Nishi Online Classes," Nishikant regularly uploads workshops for his students every Saturday and Sunday, offering both basic and advanced watercolor painting classes.

In addition to his teaching endeavors, Nishikant's design studio specializes in advertising-based work and illustration projects. They collaborate with renowned brands and clients such as Swiggy, Nakshatra, and recently, the National Geographic Channel. Although his studio primarily caters to large clients, Nishikant also offers services for book cover designs for publication.

Talking about role models, he says that he acknowledges how they have evolved over time. Starting with his drawing teacher in school and his college professor, he now draws inspiration from professional artists such as Prafull Sawant and Bijay Biswaal. Having worked with various artists, he also looks up to Vasudeo Kamath and Vijay Achrekar for their contributions to the field.

The mantra "Shut up and paint" resonates deeply with Nishikant, symbolizing the importance of focusing on work rather than just talking about it.

The achievements that Nishikant is most proud of include winning a bronze medal at an event hosted by the International Watercolor Society and receiving a silver medal from Camlin. Being recognized by the Bombay Art Society is another significant highlight of his career, as it brings him joy to see his work appreciated and acknowledged.

Nishikant urges parents to allow their children to pursue their interests, especially in the field of art, which offers diverse career options such as art director, designer, creative director, animator, teacher, professional photographer, fashion designer, and architect. He advises parents to let their children make their own choices early on, as imposing decisions on them could lead to depression. Nishikant emphasizes the importance of supporting children in their pursuits, as while they may not earn a significant amount of money in art, they will earn respect in society.

Regarding struggles, Nishikant acknowledges that everyone faces challenges in their respective fields. He advises dedicating oneself to their chosen path and proving oneself to their parents. With confidence in pursuing one's interests, Nishikant believes that the world will support individuals in their endeavors.

Nishikant co-founded Kalaarambh with his friend, Mr. Achintya Hazra, aiming to nurture young talent in the field of art. They began by organizing affordable workshops for children in Pune, spanning five days. With support from renowned artists, some of whom graciously offered their bungalows for accommodations, their initiative gained momentum. Over 3000 eminent artists and prominent sponsors have since joined forces with Kalaarambh, collectively working to enrich the Indian art community.

Additionally, Nishikant serves as the brand ambassador for Wrap and Woof, a company offering a range of art products. He personally vouches for the authenticity and quality of the brand's offerings, ensuring artists have access to reliable materials.

He is also a member of the Art Society of India, an organization with a history spanning 106 years of supporting artists. Nishikant advocates for supporting fellow artists and encourages individuals to devote some time to working with community members.