Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith

Today's the last day of this subject. 

I tried to refine subtle tonal differences between the objects. 

I have to say, it's been very difficult, but, I've learned a lot. 

 

Oil on panel. 16x 20 in. 

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Painting trip to Tasmania - Day 7

I'm having early dinner at The Rectory in Devonport before boarding Spirit of Tasmania. Fantastic place with historical charm. Staff are very kind. 

In the morning, I went to Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. Greg had told me that there're some Hugh Ramsay paintings, and, yes, it was fantastic. Seven of them, including one landscape!

I asked staff some questions about him, but, they had no idea of what I was talking about. 

 

There's also an exhibition by Philip Wolfhagen. Great landscape. I liked it a lot. 

 

Then, I drove back to Evandale. Sunday market was there. I had decided to paint Post Office, so, I set up my easel here. 

 

It was much harder than I thought. Again, I had a great chat with owner James. 

I spent 3 hours. Not so happy, but, it was a gorgeous day to finish off this trip. 

 

 Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Painting trip to Tasmania -Day 6

I left St Helens early in the morning. It's very interesting how one can easily warm up to some places. For me, this town was not. 

Again, Greg had recommended that I should go to Evandale. A drive from St Marys to Evandale along A4 was very beautiful, visually stimulating. I liked a lot. I wish I had time to spend and paint. 

Well, he surely knows what he's doing. Evandale is a very charming town with many historic buildings. Like in Ross, they maintain their towns very well. 

I was very surprised to see Handmark Gallery here. I had been to the one in Hobert. There's a great exhibition by Clifford How. Very serene monochromatic landscape paintings. 

I took a walk around the town and set up my easel here in front of Post Office. 

 

A gentleman came out of the house and started to talk to me, giving me a bottle of water. James is an owner of the Post Office, very fascinating man to have a chat. He and his wife were gardening and they started to play Marlene Dietrich. It was a lovely background music to paint. I really enjoyed this one. I spent 3 hours. 

 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Painting trip to Tasmania - Day 5

In the morning I drove up to St Helens. It was cloudy and drizzle, but, after Bicheno, my impression of the town was not that good. 

It feels like in Lorne. Definitely not a charming town with lots of ugly contemporary buildings scattering around the water and on hillsides. 

I went straight to Binaling Bay and set up my easel here on Bay of Fires!

 

I liked this spot a lot. Weather was constantly changing and that made it very difficult to paint. I really struggled this one. It's very overwhelming when there're so many rocks. I have to ask Greg's advice. I end up changing an initial block-in a couple of times. 

I spent 3 hours. 

 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

It got very cold and dark, I didn't have enough time to do another one. I thought about going for a walk. Then, I saw this spot, and couldn't resist the temptation. I decided to do a small sketch on a pochade box. 

 

It's a quick sketch. I wish I had more time. 

I spent an hour. 

 

Oil on canvas. 7x9.5 in. 

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Painting trip to Tasmania - Day4

In the morning, I went to Bicheno beach. I saw these boats yesterday and thought I would try from this spot. 

 

The trouble was, it was very windy, more like a gale force, and it was difficult to paint. I didn't want to give up, so, this is a quick sketch. I spent 2 hours. 

 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

When I moved in the accommodation, the lady asked me if I'm interested in opening a salon in town. That's because it's for sale for a while, and her favourite hairstylist wants to go back to Launceston. 

So, I decided in the afternoon to check it out. 

The salon 'Fig' is a tiny but charming place. I had a great chat with the owner Greg. He's really an interesting guy. Am I tempted to make a big move?

There's a gallery next door, and again, I had a lovely chat with the owner Vanessa. Very kind. 

Three minute drive took me to The Gulch. You can have the very best Fish&Chips here. Grilled Flathead!

Then I further drove down to Bicheno Blowhole, and set up my easel here. 

 

It was very peaceful and the place is beautiful. No wind this time. 

 I wasn't sure if I put water splashes in, but eventually I did. Very difficult to paint rock formations. I spent 2.5 hours. 

 

  Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Painting trip to Tasmania -Day 3

I drove to Coles Bay in Freycinet National Park in the morning. 

I had already given up Wineglass Bay due to logistical problems, so, I picked Cape Tourville. It offers a great view. 

 

However, I was very frustrated, I just couldn't do it somehow. I decided to abandon it. It's really a shame. 

 

Abandoned. 

After late lunch, a sandwich from Bakery, I was determined to take a revenge, and set up my easel here. 

 

I'm on a mission of painting a lighthouse wherever possible, and this one is the third one. I'm reasonably happy with it. I spent 2.5 hours. 

 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

On my way back, I went to Sleepy Bay. It was a glorious sunset. Obviously, this is not so popular place, but, I found the area fascinating. Should I come back to paint? 

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Painting trip to Tasmania - Day 2

Greg had suggested that I should go to Ross, so I drove there early in the morning. 

It really is a charming town with many old buildings and, of course, this historic bridge. 

So, I set up my easel here. 

 

I met a local photographer and we had a great chat. I spent 3 hours. 

 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

I couldn't resist the temptation, this place was so beautiful, so I decided to do one more from almost the same spot. I turned around and set up my easel here. 

 

This is a very Impressionistic sketch. I enjoyed it a lot. I spent 2 hours. 

 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Unfortunately I had to leave for the next town. I'd like to spend more time next time. 

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Painting trip to Tasmania - Day 1

After a very bumpy night trip aboard Spirit of Tasmania, I managed to regain the vertical and get to Launceston in the morning. 

After breakfast at Sweetbrew in city I drove to Cataract Gorge. 

A chairlift was gorgeous and it's a lovely walk. 

I set up my easel here, looking at a suspension bridge. 

 

People were all lovely, saying a very nice thing about my work. I spent 3 hours. 

 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

In the afternoon, I drove to King's Park, and set up my easel here, looking at The King's Bridge over Tamar river. 

 

Again, there were many people coming to say hi. I'm so used to it now. They're all nice. I spent 3 hours. 

 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Portrait Prize exhibition opening

It was a great opening of 'Who is looking at you? 2017' at Cambridge Studio Gallery in Collingwood this afternoon. 

 

I saw some familiar faces and that was nice, too. There are many good paintings on the wall, and this is mine. 

 

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Ludovico Einaudi at Hamer Hall

Wow, that was astounding. Probably the best gig I've ever been to in Melbourne. No wonder, standing ovation seemed to last forever.

 

Sometimes very lyrical and poetic, at others, thunderous and evocative. His craftsmanship and emotional execution in music making took the audience to a mesmerising journey of transcendence. 

I must say, my favourite 'Numbers' was a highlight. Fabulous visual effects on a screen and spectacular lighting.  That's on top of the otherworldly beautiful sound. Kind of a moment we experience very occasionally when we wish time stopped right now. 

It was a privilege to witness this man and his talented ensemble playing live in this gorgeous setting. 

Oh, by the way, I had a takeaway dinner from Laneway Greens near City Library. I just walked by, and it looked very interesting. What a pleasant discovery! I had 'Beef Bulgogi Style Salad' and it was delicious and healthy, sitting on a bench on the bank of Yarra River watching sunset. I'll be back. I hated loud music they were playing , though. 

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Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith

Today I started by painting background and a table with solid block tones. 

Greg showed us how to do it, with plenty of paint mixed on a palette. Firstly placing big chunk of paints at random in a space, then spread them with smooth brush strokes. Voilà. 

Then I spent the rest of the lesson refining a cast. That's a big challenge. 

 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

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Half day at NGV

While my car is being serviced, I decided to go to city. 

I spent some time looking around permanent collections. I always feel it's a disgrace the way NGV displays them. I'm sure it possesses a great number of artworks from the past. There's no point in displaying them in a warehouse. For example, there are so many great paintings in Schaeffer Gallery, but we can't see them because they're hung so high. 

However, I was delighted to see two Sargent. Also, there's a very good collection of ancient sculptures. 

 

 

Here are some quick sketches I did. 

   

  

Now, off to Greg's painting class. 

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Oil Painting at LastPeek Studio

I went to my favourite studio in Thornbury this afternoon. 

We had a fabulous model, Tijana. A joy to paint. I think I got her head reasonably ok. 

 

2 hours. 

Oil on panel. 12x16 in. 

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Oil Painting Sketch

A head study of 'After the ball' by Charles Wheeler. Another talent from National Gallery School in Melbourne. 

Very tricky to paint someone yawning, indeed. 

 

 1.5 hours

Oil on panel. 7x9.5 in. 

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Lunchtime talks / National Gallery

There's a plethora of informative talks here. I've learned so much. 

This is one of them featuring none other than Waldemar Januazczak, always very entertaining, talking about Caravaggio. 

Now I finally understand how to pronounce his name!

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Portrait Prize 2017

My work ‘A portrait of the artist by himself' is selected for 'Who is Looking at You 2017' exhibition at Cambridge Studio Gallery.

I’ll be at the opening, (on my way to a painting trip to Tasmania), so, if you’re around, please come have fun.

"This work was created 'direct from life' in a bathroom (studio), standing in front of a mirror.
I tried to capture very confused state of mind at the time in my life.
The challenge and excitement of 'Alla Prima’ painting never cease to inspire me.”

Exhibition Opening: Feb 19 Sunday 2-4pm 

Exhibition ends : March 5 Sunday 

Gallery hours: Wed-Sunday 12-5pm

52 Cambridge St, Collingwood

 

Oil on panel. 12x16 in. 

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Man with a Blue Scarf - On Sitting for a Portrait by Lucian Freud

Just finished reading this book by Martin Gayford, borrowed from a local library. 

 

It's an irresistible page-turner, describing the artist's painting process in a concise diary format. 

More than anything else, I enjoyed their conversations, particularly Frued's thoughts on other artists. 

The book includes many photos related to the texts. Also very well laid out. 

It's a great book to get into the artist's studio and his mind. Full of inspirations. 

"The only secret I can claim to have is concentration, and that's something that can't be taught."

And here is Martin talking about his experience.

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Oil Painting Sketch

After work, I decided to do a quick sketch. Weather was irresistible. 

I set up my easel here at North Eastern Horse & Pony Club on Banyule Rd. This part of Melbourne is a painter's paradise, so many beautiful spots to paint. No wonder Heidelberg School painters were drawn to the area. 

 

Because it was  close to sunset, it was very tricky. Light changed very fast, making it very difficult to keep an integrity in a painting. I was very thrilled to put a moon in the sky. A reminiscent of David Davies. 

I spent 80 min. 

 

Oil on canvas. 12x16 in. 

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Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

I started today by making a table and background more solid. 

Then I reworked subjects at front. These have tricky shapes catching different degree of lights, therefore showing very subtle tonal variations. 

At the same time, I shouldn't lose sight of their big forms. 

Very challenging indeed. 

 Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

Because of bad weather forecast, I decided to go back to Healesville Railway Station, thinking that there's a shelter on the platform protecting me from rain and thunderstorms. Also, this is a good drive via Kinglake. 

There's a very charming tourist train operating on weekends, and I thought it will be a good subject. 

 

The tricky bit was, the train didn't stay there for long, I had to be very quick. 

I spent 3 hours. 

 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Although I felt a storm was coming, I decided to do one more. 

 

This one was very hard. I've found it's extremely difficult to paint complicated mechanical structures, testing my ability to see them accurately. 

Not so happy but it was a great exercise. 

I spent 2 hours. 

 

Oil on canvas. 12x16 in. 

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