Plein Air Oil Painting

Weather was looking bad today, so I decided to do a quick sketch. I went back to The Centre Ivanhoe. It’s also called Heidelberg Town Hall. 

Because it’s Easter Sunday, it was very peaceful. I met a few clients, that was nice. 

It’s such a lovely building with autumn leaves. 

I spent 1.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 11x8in 

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Devonshire Lane in Mt Macedon this morning. 

Paul, Tim and I planned to paint together here, at the end of the road. It was full of tourists along the way. Paul picked up a lovely spot, very quiet and beautiful. His son Tom joined us today, that was nice. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The colour harmony was stunningly gorgeous. I felt as if I was doing abstract painting. Just shapes of tone of colour. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

After late lunch/tea, we decided to do another one. It got dark due to the shades. I decided to do a closeup of the same scene. 

I spent 1.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 8x11in 

It really was a great day. It’s always exciting to share the same passion and talk with them. 

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Fishermans Bend at Westgate Park in Port Melbourne this afternoon. 

It was sunny and no wind. Lovely day. 

I painted this view on Boxing Day last year. It gives a gorgeous curve of Westgate Bridge. 

I had a tough time getting its perspective right. I always found that straight lines are very difficult to paint. I kept measuring angles. 

Although the bridge seems a bit shaky, I’m reasonably happy with this one. Very quiet. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Then I took a long walk along the river. Beautiful sunset was a bonus. 

It was a lovely day. 

Read more »

Sorolla: Spanish Master of Light

National Gallery in London is having Sorolla exhibition right now. One of my favourite artists. What an amazing feat! I wish I was there. 

Ironically, NGV yesterday announced a forthcoming 2019 summer exhibition of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. I’m glad I cancelled my membership years ago. 

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Pound Bend Reserve in Warrandyte this afternoon. 

It was cloudy at first, but, soon got sunny. 

I set up my easel here at the same spot as last week. 

I’m not entirely happy with this one, particularly background. I think it got too milky. I struggled with the tree on the right. 

It’s a shame because it was very peaceful and lovely weather. 

I’ll come back and try again. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

I took a train to city in the morning. I was planning to join lunch with Paige, so, I thought I would do some painting on Yarra River. 

I set up my easel at Birrarung Marr Park. 

Because it was Sunday, it was very busy and noisy. I put on AirPods and was listening to Beethoven’s Symphonies.  A pure bliss. 

I spent 1.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 11x8 in

As it turned out, lunch was a staff gathering with guys from Green Element in Port Melbourne. ShanDong Mama at Burke St offers delicious dumplings. 

The guys are very cool. I thoroughly enjoyed their company. 

Then I went to NGV at Federation Square. 

At level two, there are many paintings by Heidelberg School painters. They must have rearranged Australian section. I’ve never seen so many Arthur Streeton’s in one room. That was really great. 

Read more »

Paige is working with Hiro at Covet&Co in Ivanhoe

In a few weeks’ time, she will join our team, not only in the salon in Ivanhoe, but also AVEDA salon in Port Melbourne called Green Element. 

It’s very exciting to welcome a passionate hairstylist with whom I did lots of training while working together at Zucci Hairdressing in Ivanhoe. 

Unlike most of other hairdressers with years of ‘experience’, she’s still very keen on learning. A crucial mindset to possess. If there’s such a thing as a talent, I believe that is the one. A courage to explore a new horizon. 

I’m looking forward to sharing creative ideas together and having fun in the salon. 

All photos are shot by me with my iPhone. 

Read more »

Self-portrait Oil Painting

In the afternoon, I was in the mood of doing a selfie. I set up my easel in my studio (bathroom). 

I really focused on shapes and tones. Particularly trying to avoid ‘dead’ skin tone. Greg’s suggestion is always, Light Red. 

I think this one is better than the last one. 

I spent 1.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 11x8 in. 

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

I took a bike ride along Main Yarra Trail in Viewbank this morning. 

It’s a familiar spot in Banyule Swamp. I’ve painted here many times. 

It was sunny but very chilly and windy. However, the pochade box by Leon stood still, very nice. 

It was very quiet. Refreshing, really. 

I spent 1.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 11x8 in. 

Read more »

The courage to be disliked - book

Recommended by my client who is a psychologist. 

I’ve never studied psychology, nor have I ever heard of Alfred Adler. 

It’s always a big problem when I read books on psychology or philosophy due to my lack of education on the subjects. 

This book is different. Because it takes a format of a dialogue between ‘a teacher and a student’, I found it extremely easy to follow the narrative. It’s very deep but not incomprehensible. A great narration by Adrian Mulraney as well. 

I learned a lot. 

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

I took a bike ride along Main Yarra Trail this morning. It’s the same spot at Banyule Swamp. 

I think this one is better than the last one. 

I spent 1.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 8x11in 

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Cannons Creek in Mornington Peninsula this morning. 

This is the second time, it’s a lovely place, very quiet. 

I decided to set up my easel here. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Water is always difficult to paint, and putting figures in the painting is tricky when it cuto scale. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

After quick lunch, I did a second one. By this time, high tide reached a shore, I had to move up higher ground. A study of water. I’m not so sure about this one. 

I spent 1.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 8x11 in. 

Then I took a walk along the shore. Beautiful area. Watching sunset was very meditative and peaceful. 

This trip probably the last one for now. It was a great summer. I’m very happy to have discovered this area. 

Read more »

Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

The second session. I learned a lot about painting flowers today. Greg gave me a precious tip. Putting highlights, then drag it towards darks, etc. It’s amazing how they started to look realistic. 

We’ll have a break for three weeks. 

Work in progress. 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

I took a bike ride along Main Yarra Trail at Banyule Flats Reserve in Viewbank this afternoon. It’s a beautiful area. 

I just came across this spot, away from a track, hard to find. It offers a good view. 

Very relaxing experience. I spent 1.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 8x11 in. 

Read more »

Oil painting at LastPeek Studio

I went to my favourite studio in Thornbury this afternoon. 

We had Sebi today. She’s a great model holding a pose very well. 

I’m reasonably happy with this one. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Unfinished. 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

Read more »