'Interplay' by Sydney Dance Company at Southbank Theatre in Melbourne

This is a spectacular triple bill performance.

First off, '2 In D Minor'.
It's based on Bach's solo violin, Partita, and it was a very elegant and stylish dance performance.
Chaconne is one of my all time favourite Bach. Just beautiful.

Next comes tonight's most powerful performance, 'Raw Models'.
This is truly a mesmerising, modern and striking contemporary dance at its best.
With fantastic lighting, sound and costume, this one really rocks.

Finally, 'L'Chaim'.
This one is difficult to interpret, but, I take it as a way of sending a message to say that these dancers are just ordinary people, just like us. But, look at what they can achieve after years of years of practice and determination!
Looking at this performance this way, I do think it succeeds and makes a great sense to finish off tonight's brilliant dance performance.

You must go and have a look for yourself.

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Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith - Day 2

After two week break, I started a new painting today.

Main subject of this one is a pumpkin, and I had arranged two bottles to make it more interesting.
And then, Greg suggested that I should put one more dark porcelain on the left to counterbalance its right side.
It's very interesting to see how it changes the whole composition.

After initial Raw Umber sketch, he told me to put some colours on the subjects. I was focusing too much on getting things right with Raw Umber, and I think this is his way of telling me to get basic colour scheme right quicker.

Towards the end of session, he put a bright orange on a pumpkin which is the main feature, and he blurred the edges of two fruits ( I don't remember what they're called, not apples ).
I still seem to have a bad habit of drawing. We can't see those edges in reality, but our brain still interferes, and the painting will end up looking very flat.

It was great to go back to the studio.

Work in progress. 16 x 20 in.

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Oil Painting at Last Peek Studio

Today's model is Marina.

I deliberately darkened background to bring a figure forward.
I feel her face is a bit too small, and needs more work.

It's a wonderful studio in Thornbury, and if anyone is interested in joining us, here is its website.

180 min. Work in progress.

14 x 18 in.

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Oil Painting

Work in progress. 14 x 18 in.

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Oil Painting

Small study.
I'm reasonably happy with this one.

Oil on cotton panel. 11 x 14 in.

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Oil Painting

Work in progress. 14 x 18 in.

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Oil Painting

Small study.

Oil on cotton panel. 9 x 12 in.

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Oil Painting

I think her right leg is too big, and there's something wrong with rib cage.
I should have noticed them.

Work in progress. 14 x 18 in.

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Oil Painting

Small study.

Oil on cotton panel. 9 x 12 in.

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Oil Painting

I hate this.

Work in progress. 14 x 18 in.

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Oil Painting

Oil on cotton panel. 14 x 18 in.

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Oil Painting

Small study.

Oil on cotton panel. 9 x 12 in.

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Oil Painting

I hate this. I can't do skin tones.

Work in progress. 14 x 18 in.

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On my easel

Two small study with Raw Umber..

Work in progress. 11 x 14 in.

Work in progress. 9 x 12 in.

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Tacit Contemporary Art in Abbotsford, Melbourne

There're not many galleries open on Sunday.
This gallery on Johnston St, Abbotsford, has a big space with a clean contemporary feel to it. 

It used to be across the street with far smaller space, but, this one is really great, and very easy to drive there.

It has become one of my favourite galleries.

'From Shadows To Light' by Judith Newman.
Sensitively painted nudes.

'Memory of Regions' by Graham McKenzie.
Powerful abstract landscape of remote regions in Australia.

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Oil Painting

Small study.
Something is wrong with her neck and shoulder.

Oil on cotton panel. 9 x 12 in.

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Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith - Day 1

Today is the last session for this painting, and we'll have a two week break.

I did some details on a bottle, a small jar on the right, a pitcher on the left.
And I changed background colour on the left.

Greg told me that the jar now looks a bit too flat. He also lowered its highlights so that it looks more round.
It's amazing to see how things change dramatically by changing small details.
He did a few short demos during a lesson, and just watching him painting is really precious experience.

I'm still not sure about a cast, but, this is all I can do at the moment.

Work in progress. 16 x 20 in.

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Life Models Society Autumn Salon at Princess Hill

Spent all day long drawing in the studio. Bliss.

Audur

20 min. 60 x 70 cm.

Mary T and Shane

80 min. 60 x 80 cm.

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Oil Painting

Small study.

Oil on cotton panel. 9 x 12 in.

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