Oil Painting Sketch with Pochade Box

Due to bad weather, we decided to paint in our 'studio' this afternoon. Well, it's actually on a table at the corner of a kitchen in Kate's house.

I bought Mabef M104 pochade boxes recently, and it comes in handy in this kind of situation. It's also great to carry around, painting a small sketch en plein air. I'm loving it.
It's a bit heavy, but, unlike other pochade box I saw, its solid design easily withstands my brushwork.

I've read some plein air painters strongly encouraging us to paint small because we don't necessarily get daunted by the sheer pressure to create a masterpiece. It's just a small sketch, and it doesn't take long to finish it. I've found it's so true. Painting a small sketch makes me feel like doing it even during a week when I have an hour to spend.

Anyway, I found this pot a couple of weeks ago in a junk shop in High Street, Westgarth. It's an amazing shop. There're so many stuff in there that you can't really walk through it. And the lady, I'm assuming she's the owner, is such a character that just talking to her itself becomes a fascinating experience.

I'm reasonably happy with this one. Kate also did a great painting.
It was a lovely day.

Oil on panel. 9 1/2 x 7 in.

Read more »

First Citizen: Albert Namatjira

I first came across this artist when I read a book on a history of Australian paintings.

It briefly described his paintings and very sad life as an Aboriginal. 

I must confess I'm not very privy to the history of Australian policy with regard to Aborigines, but I was appalled by the fact that he was sentenced to six months imprisonment for supplying alcohol to his Aboriginal friends, simply because he was an 'Australian citizen'. 

This superb film traces his life and art-making closely, using original and reconstructed footages. It also features interviews with his relatives, descendants and art historians. 

It's highly educational and must-see for anyone who are interested in art and history of Australia. 

It's currently showing at SBS website. I don't know how long it will be there, but, the link is here and have a look.

Read more »

Paint Out Day with Gregory Smith

We went to Mordialloc Creek, about half an hour drive south of Melbourne.

It was a cloudy day, but there was no wind, so, we didn't have to worry much about changing light.

I've never painted yachts and water. Greg had set up his easel here, so we did too.

As he told me during the session, this is a very "hard workout" for me.
There are so many elements in this that I found it extremely difficult getting overall proportion right.
I spent about two hours before a lunch break.
I think I did ok with this one. I'm sure there are many errors of tones and proportions.
However, I did enjoy painting this scene with likeminded artist friends.
I watched Greg's sky study in the afternoon, and as usual, it was very inspiring. I appreciate his passion for painting a lot.

Oil on panel. 16 x 20 in.

Read more »

Happiness and sorrow of parting with my painting

Sometimes I wonder, when people buy paintings what's going on in their mind?

They just want something to decorate their houses? I suspect most of modern abstract paintings are suited for that purpose. Well, I'm just kidding.

In the case of portraits, I'm sure the paintings serve as cherished memories of their loved ones.
I also believe some landscapes do the same.

Even if paintings are nothing to do with our direct experiences, we often feel strong connections with some paintings, be it still life, landscape or portrait, etc. And we can't suppress our urge to possess not just a painting, but also its beauty and aesthetics that come out of it.

That established sense of connection with the painting soon extends to the artist who created it, even when we don't know each other.

Such is a wonderful thing called art.

Today one of my clients bought this painting I did en plein air.

It's such a great feeling that someone is willing to buy my painting. Fortunately I don't have to make a living by selling my works. I'm just very happy imagining that they're in someone's house and hopefully they enjoy and get something out of my paintings.

However, it leaves me a very sad feeling now.

She is a foreign national and due to her personal circumstances, she lost a battle against Immigration and has to leave this country.
Obviously she's been under an enormous stress because she wants to stay here in Melbourne.
She contacted me about a month ago, wanting to buy some of my Melbourne paintings as a memento. A happy memory of this city.

It's such a heartbreaking thing to hear.
She's a wonderful client and I do hope she will have a happier future in a new country. I'm sure she will.

Read more »

Life Drawing at Last Peek Studio

After work we went to our favourite studio.
We had Kevin as a model. He creates a beautiful poses one after another. With his acting background, he also creates fascinating facial expressions.

Again, Henry made a very yummy cake. We love this class.

Pastael on paper. 60 cm x 80 cm.

20 min.

Read more »

Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith - Day 7

I started today by working on the thin branches. Greg showed me how to keep them thin by painting lines first and trim them by painting background.
I also did more work on leaves, making some brighter and some darker to create a spacious depth.

Then I worked on the wooden ball by warming its overall tone and by putting thin dark lines to create a more definition.

I changed colour temperature of the table so that it suggests light hits from the left, and put some shadows of a table cloth.

Finally I put some shadows of leaves on the piano.

And that's it. Greg told me that's enough for this painting.
I'm very happy with this one. Painting still life that incorporates the piano as a background is very new to me, and although I struggled most of the time, I learned a lot.

We'll have a two week break during a school holiday. I can't wait to go back to the studio with Greg and my friends.

Oil on panel. 16 x 20 in.

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

We went to Fitzroy Gardens in the afternoon. This is our favourite side of city with spacious gardens and classy shops.
There's a conservatory and a marble statue in front of it, and Eureka Tower as a background. This view caught my eyes and we decided to set up our easels on this spot.

Although it wasn't windy like the other day, it got very cold towards the end of the session, but, we managed to finish our paintings.

Apart from the trees on the right side, I'm reasonably happy with this one, particularly the conservatory and the statue. Also, the grass at front and its cast shadows look ok.

It was a great day.

Oil on panel. 11 x 14 in.

Read more »

I bought a painting by Gregory Smith

After a bit of wait, I finally got this award winning oil painting by Greg.

When Kate and I went to Bright in May, we didn't know he was exhibiting at the gallery. So, it was pure luck.

It's titled "Enlarged Grape Study".
It's very small but charming, and I love it.

Read more »

National Institute of Circus Arts - 'Last Orders'

I've never heard of this school in South Yarra. I came across this event through art blogs.
According to them, "Last Orders! is a delicious circus degustation featuring the 2015 graduating students".
It sounded very exciting, so, I bought tickets in no time.

Oh, what an awesome show it was!
Kate and I are both mesmerised by their performance.
It's hard to believe that they're all students.

Some acts require the highest physical strength, at the same time, very elegant with beautiful soundtrack.
Others are down right funny comical acts.

That ebb and flow creates a very smooth and delicious circus menu.
Yes, they're right.

We had a great evening. And we wish a great future to all the performers.

Read more »

Last day in Hobart

We had a breakfast at Pigeon Hole Cafe. The place was packed with cool people. They offer very yummy homemade dishes. We liked it a lot.

Then we walked to Salamanca precinct. Kate suggested that we should go to Handmark Gallery.
We had a great chat with its director Allanah, and she was very kind to give us an opportunity to meet Kate's favourite artist who happens to have a studio upstairs.

Michaye Boulter is from Bruny Island, and her seascape oil paintings radiate subliminal tranquility in our mind.
She is very lovely to have a chat with, and it's always very exiting to talk to great artists.

Then we went back to Pilgrim Coffee for lunch. We just can't get enough of this hip place.

Well, that's it. Although we only had three days, it was a very memorable stay here in Hobart. We'll definitely come back again.

Read more »

Dark Feast

The biggest visual, sound and gastronomic feast in the Southern Hemisphere?

Loving this...

Our favourite Lulu & Paige -Turners.

Read more »

MONA

We had a breakfast at Pilgrim Cafe. Fantastic food and interior design. Very cool place to be. 

Then we went to MONA by boat. This is really an impressive art space, more so considering the fact that this is the manifestation of one man's vision. 

Marina Abramović put together contemplative works. We particularly liked her participatory exhibit, where visitors are encouraged to sit on a table and count the number of rice and lentil in complete silence. 

'Bit.Fall' by Julius Popp is definitely a standout. 

We had a dinner at Smolt. Great food. We enjoyed it a lot. 

Read more »

Dark MOFO

We arrived at Hobart this afternoon.

There are some very exciting exhibits we saw in this beautiful town in Tasmania. 

Two of the most impressive ones are 'Solid light works' by Anthony McCall and 'Fire Organ' by Bastiaan Maris. 

The former is a very lyrical lighting work in a massive dark space, giving us a vertiginous sensation. 

The latter is a very powerful and thunderous pyrotechnics. We had an opportunity to talk to the artist, and it was great.

Read more »

Life Drawing at Last Peek Studio

We had Au∂ur as our model today.
She's half Icelandic and half Italian, and is capable of creating great pose one after another with ease, some very dynamic and some very lyrical.

The studio is nearly finished, and it generates a very cosy atmosphere.
We both love this creative space, along with other passionate artists, not to mention very yummy cake  by Henry.

Pastel on paper. 60 x 80 cm

20 min.

Read more »

Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith - Day 6

Paige is a lovely friend of mine and very into art herself.
I had asked her to be our model for us students in the studio before, and everybody loved her.

When Greg told us last week that he would do a portrait demo today, I suggested Paige as a model, and he was very enthusiastic.

It's really fascinating to see him creating a portrait without any initial drawing.
It's as if a person gradually emerges out of a thick misty fog.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and I learned a lot.
Kate came along with me today, and she loved the demo very much.

It was a great evening.

 

 

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

We went to Fitzroy Garden this afternoon.

It was a very windy day, the easel collapsed twice and I had to hold the canvas while painting this. 

As much as I love painting outdoor, it's really difficult to do it under these weather conditions.

I don't think I did a good job today, but, it was a great experience.

Oil on panel. 11 x 14 in.

Read more »

Life Drawing at Last Peek Studio

Frank and Henry finally managed to get their studio ready after a long period of their hard work. I really appreciate their effort. Without them, we won't be able to have an opportunity to draw and paint life models.

Today's model was Carmine. I found him an extraordinary model with his very toned body, and he easily created lyrical poses one after another. I also found his face and head shape very fascinating to draw.

Again, Henry made a delicious cake. This studio has a lovely coziness and we both love it.

It was a great evening.

Pastel on paper. 60 x 80 cm. 10 min.

60 x 80 cm. 20 min.

Read more »

Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith - Day 5

I started today by working on a porcelain vase. I tried to get its three dimensional shape right. It's not a complicated shape, but, I still found it very difficult to paint.

The takraw ball was even worse. This one is very complex with an interwoven structure, and I really had no idea of how to approach it.

Greg told me that I should put a dark first, so I darkened an entire area, and then using one brush stroke at a time, I tried to create at least an illusion of its shape. I don't think I did a good job, but, I leave it for now.

Then I worked on the piano keyboard. Greg was very helpful. Again, the point is not to worry too much about its details, but, to get an overall shape right by using a tonal structure.

I had a big problem of getting the angle of black keys consistent. It was getting too steep towards the left, it should be getting more horizontal.

Although it was a very tough lesson, I learned a lot today.

Work in progress. 16 x 20 in.

Read more »