Plein Air Oil Painting

I took a long bike ride this afternoon along Plenty River Trail in Viewbank. 

There are three silos in Pony Club catching a wonderful afternoon sunshine. 

It was a great day. 

Oil on canvas. 12x9 in. 

Read more »

Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

The fourth session. 

I started to lose the depth (form) by blending it too much. Greg put darks in shadow area, then highlights. From there, I tried to create 3D effects. 

Also, I started to lose ‘warmth’ in skin tones. Here comes the secret weapon, Cad Red! Well, I had to be very careful, otherwise it gets too pinky. 

Finally I did some work on the clothes. 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

Read more »

Tim Murphy exhibition, Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Rosebery Hill in Pipers Creek, Kyneton this morning. 

My friend Tim’s exhibition ‘A Good Package of Small Things’ is on at sheep shed. There were many fabulous paintings. 

Then, I tried to do a painting although it was raining. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Read more »

The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka

Another great audiobook from ABC Audio, written by Clare Wright and narrated by Kate Hosking.

My reading experience of ‘You Daughters of  Freedom’ was so good that I thought I had to get this one as soon as I finished it. 

As the first book of ‘Democracy Trilogy’, this book gives us detailed accounts of Eureka Stocksade which I had no knowledge of. 

Her determined approach to storytelling as a prominent feminist and meticulous research in the history of this epoch event succeed wonderfully in this book. 

Following all those biographical details, one might feel somehow ‘dry’ or ‘tedious’. I didn't.
By weaving them together at the same time maintaining good narratives in itself is a great achievement by the author. Also, as an audio format engagingly read by the narrator, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Highly recommended. 

Read more »

Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

Third session. 

I did some work on t-shirt, makuit look more round. Then on my neck. Ears are always tricky. It still doesn’t look right. 

Then hair and beard. 

Finally I did eyes. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

Read more »

Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

Second session. 

Greg gave us a great talk about “What is realism?” question. It all boils down to our visual experience rendered on a flat surface using oil paints. 

The first sketch was lacking in any depth, so, I tried to create more solid forms. I also needed to thin the neck and push ear to the front. I also lowered lips. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

Read more »

‘Miss Muriel Matters’ by Robert Wainwright

After listening to ‘You Daughter of Freedom’ by Clare Wright, it was a natural progression to search for something more about suffrage movements. 

Very fortunately, I came across this book, again from ABC Audio. 

As it turned out, this is one of the best audiobook I’ve listened to, excellently narrated by Deidre Rubinstein. 

I liked the author’s methodical approach to storytelling. His journalistic training is very evident in his detailed narratives. 

I’ve learned so much about this wonderful Australian and her remarkable achievements in so many aspects of social movements. 

Highly recommended. 

There’s also a great interview with the author by ABC Radio. Here is the link

Read more »

Oil painting at LastPeek Studio

I went to my favourite studio in Thornbury this afternoon. 

We had Megan today. A great model. 

I don’t think I did a good job. I didn’t know how to paint head scarf. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Unfinished. 

 Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

Read more »

‘You Daughters of Freedom’ by Clare Wright

Published by ABC Audio and narrated by the author, this is one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to. 18 hours of pure joy.

I’ve seen a film called ‘Muriel Matters’, an Australian-born suffragist, and read about her online, but knew nothing about other women in this book who fought for adult suffrage movements in Australia and Britain. 

What a story! It’s really a fascinating piece of history. A right to vote. Such an obscure notion for us. Like, air to breath. We almost forget about it. Well, here in Australia, it’s compulsory. It’s hard to imagine that many people died for it just a century ago. 

And what illustrious characters these women were! Their intelligence, courage, wit... This book weaves their lives together in a very lucid and entertaining way. You never get bored reading this highly charged political events one after another. The structure of  the book is so well constructed. 

I’m often disappointed to listen to great books read by authors very badly. Here is a happy exception. Her narration is superb. Her voice is very easy to my ears. Very clear and not too fast. She has an awesome way of changing her pitch when quoting some characters in the book. I love it. 

This is a remarkable book. A very educational one as well. Highly recommended. 

Let’s say, Vida Goldstein. What would she say if she saw the society we live in now, politicians we have, cultural/moral degradation, plastic mess we create in our environment....

"You, daughters and sons of freedom, you've squandered it."
What do you think?

Read more »

Self-portrait Oil Painting

Another selfie in my studio (bathroom). 

I spent 2 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 12x9 in. 

Read more »

Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

I started a new subject today. Myself!

As usual, Raw Umber and Light Red wash, then wipe-off with a rag. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

Read more »

Creative Workshop at Covet&Co in Ivanhoe

Nothing is more satisfying than sharing ideas with enthusiastic hairstylists. 

Contact me if you want to join this journey. 

For more information, have a look at here.

Read more »

Oil painting at LastPeek Studio

I went to my favourite studio in Thornbury this afternoon. 

Sebi is a good model, always accommodating. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Unfinished 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

Read more »

Oi painting lesson with Gregory Smith

The fifth session and the last. 

How to paint the hose is the question. I darkened it first, put lighter tone on the surface, then put highlights. There’re warm reflections at bottom and top. 

I extended the highlights so that they gives rounded impressions. 

I finally lightened the foreground. 

That’s it! I’m happy with this one. 

“It sucks”

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

Read more »

Self-portrait Oil Painting

Another selfie in my studio (bathroom) this afternoon. 

I spent 2 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 12x9 in. 

Read more »