Paint Out Day

This is a photo of me and Kate painting at Banksia Park on March 27. 

Our friend John Hurle from Victorian Artists' Society kindly sent it to me. 

I like it a lot. Great shot. 

You can see a good friend of ours Andy sitting on a stool painting. Lovely. 

 

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Oil Painting Lesson with Gregory Smith - Day 3

I spent a whole class reworking on the top section of her. 

It's been a stressful challenge, I ended up forgetting the most important aspect in painting, that is, creating a space on canvas. 

Bad habit of fiddling comes back when I'm lost and frustrated, not knowing what to do. 

Greg gave me a stern warning about it. That was very helpful. 

I've learned a lot from this study, and I'm looking forward to the new subject next week. 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

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Paint Out Day

We drove to Willamstown this morning. 

Seaworks is open to public, I've found this place is a hidden gem in otherwise very busy town. Apart from some anglers, there were not many in the open field, offering magnificent city view across the bay. 

Painting seascape is a big challenge. I've done a few but found water is very difficult to paint. 

I spent about 5 hours on this. Background looks too close, but I'm reasonably happy with boats. Jetty was very difficult, I have to ask Greg. 

It was a glorious day. 

Oil on panel. 16x20in. 

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Oil Painting Lesson with Gregory Smith - Day 2

Technically today is the first day of this term, and Greg did a good pep talk at the beginning. 

Always aspire to go higher level in your endeavours of painting. 

He pointed out that the base of statue looked a bit warped upwards rather than downwards. That was interesting. I didn't see it. 

I fixed it so that it slightly curved. Voila!

I spent the rest of class fixing top part of the statue. 

I've got one more session next week. 

Work in progress. 16x20in. 

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Oil Painting at LastPeek Studio

In the afternoon, we went to our favourite studio in Thornbury. 

We had Regina, and she is always a joy to paint. 

We spent 2 1/2 hours. It was a great day. 

Oil on panel. 12x16 in. 

 

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Moonee Valley Art Show

We went to the exhibition this morning.

St Columbans Mission in Essendon is a beautiful place. 

It's great to see my painting "Puss and Books" hung in the gallery. 

Greg, Rachel and Ray did a portrait demo. It's  a shame that the room is very small. But we really enjoyed it. 

This is a view from entrance. Lovely. 

 

 

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Alma Doepel 2016 Art Exhibition

Kate and I are invited to take part in this exhibition.
We will be painting in the shed as part of Alma’s Open Day from 10 am on Sunday May 1st.

This is a great opportunity to have a close look at this historic topsail schooner.
If you’re interested, please come have a look.

Opening: April 29 Friday 6pm

April 30, May 1 and May 7, May 8
10-5pm

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Oil Painting Lesson with Gregory Smith - Day 1

After two week break, we came back to the studio. 

Greg told me to work on the piano on which the statue is standing. 

Then I spent the rest of the class refining its shape, while maintaining its sculptural effects. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

We drove to Mont De Lancey Homestead in Wandin North, about 45 min drive east of Melbourne. 

We were here in February as Paint Out Day with Gregory, and we loved this place. 

We set up our easels here overlooking a windmill. 

It was windy initially, and sun came out and disappointed very often, so, it was a big challenge to capture the effects of light. 

I was very careful of pushing background farther back this time. Kate gave me a good tip. I think I get a distance reasonably ok today. 

I didn't know how to paint a windmill spinning around in motion. I'll have to ask Greg. 

We spent 2 1/2 hours. It was a beautiful day. 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

 

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'Gratitude' by Oliver Sacks

Kate told me about this book, which was mentioned in Financial Reveiw article by Norman Doidge. 

It's a very small book, consisting of four short essays, but, like Hitchens' book 'Mortality', it left me a profound sense of, well, "gratitude" in and of life. 

“It is the fate of every human being, to be a unique individual, to find his own path, to live his own life, to die his own death.” 

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Rembrandt vs Vermeer - Intelligence Squared

Fascinating discussion!

I know it's ridiculous to compare two giants and decide which one is "greater", and I'm sure nobody takes this proposition seriously. 

However, as an entertaining debate, this one is very good. We really enjoyed it. 

In my opinion, Tracy Chevalier's mediocre sentimentality is no match for Simon Schama's articulation, lucidity and scholastic power. I felt sorry for her. They should have got much better person to argue for Vermeer.  

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Moonee Vallery Art Show

My work is selected for this exhibition at this heritage listed building.

This is a great exhibition with lots of quality artworks. If you’re interested, please have a look.

My mentor Gregory, friends Rachael and Ray will have a portrait demo from 11am on Sunday 17, that’s very exciting.
I’ll be there around 10am on Sunday, so, if you’re around, please come have fun.

Public Exhibition: 
Saturday 16th April - 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday 17th April - 10:00am - 3:00pm

HELD AT:
The Historic St Columbans Mission
"North Park Mansion"
69 Woodland Street
Essendon, Victoria 3040

“Puss and Books”

 Oil on panel. 16 x 20 in. 

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Sherpa - film

We went to Kino this evening. 

I've read some reviews and interviews by film makers. It sounded very fascinating story and wonderful cinematography. 

This is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. A film that must be watched in a cinema. 

Very thought-provoking stories told beautifully. 

We kept talking about the film long after leaving the cinema.  

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Plein Air Oil Painting

Never be the one to be content, this afternoon I went back to the same spot as yesterday. 

It was very mild and apart from occasional Asian tourists hovering over my shoulder, it was relatively quiet. 

Listening to "In a Time Lapse" by Ludovico Einaudi on my iPhone, it can't be more peaceful than this!

I was very careful about vertical lines of the building and its receding perspective. 

I think this is much better than yesterday's. I spent about 2 hours. 

Oil on panel. 12 x16in. 

 

 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I went to Birrarung Marr Park in city this morning, and set up my easel here. 

This is on Yarra River looking at Federation Square and St Paul's Cathedral. 

I forgot to take a photo, though. 

I spent about 3 hours. It was very busy with lots of people jogging and walking, but, not annoying. Also, there were many canoes on the river, that was nice. 

Oil on panel. 16 x 20 in. 

After lunch, I went to Fitzroy Gardens. There is a beautiful Conservatory and I've painted it before from the other side. 

This is from south side, and from where I set up my easel, it sits high up and the building looks awkward, testing my sense of perspective. 

Alas, I failed miserably this one. It looks as if it's about to collapse to the left. 

I didn't get vertical right.

I have to say, it was freezing and I wasn't able to concentrate, and was in such a rush that I didn't step back and check. 

I spent 1 1/2 hours. It was a good lesson, though. I'll try it again. 

Unfinished. 12 x 16 in. 

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