Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Heide Museum of Modern Art this afternoon.  

It’s been a year since I came here to paint, let alone see exhibitions. Modern art rarely interests me these days. However, this is a beautiful place to have a look and walk around.  

I set up my easel here looking towards Gallery I from a garden.  

It was very quiet. Sky was blue at its bluest. The building was catching gorgeous afternoon sunlight. I really enjoyed it. 

I spent 2.5 hours.  

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Oil and Marble: A Novel of Leonardo and Michelangelo

Another great audiobook from Audible written by Stephanie Story and narrated by P. J. Ochlan. 

Historical fictions are very tricky to read. Quite often, the stories are so unbelievable that they can’t sustain my interest. 

On the other hand, there are stories that are so well written and interesting that I forget that I’m reading fictions. 

This book belongs to the latter. I really enjoyed it. Also, very well read. 

It’s a fascinating plot. Leonardo and Michelangelo both working in Florence. Well, imagine that!

After reading Water Isaacson’s biography of Da Vinci, this book gives us a slightly different dimension. A very entertaining one. 

My hope is, he writes a book on Michelangelo next time.  

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Summer School with Gregory Smith

I drove to Queens Park in Essendon this afternoon.

At this time of year, Greg conducts plein air painting sessions. It’s really a great privilege to have this opportunity. 

From 1-4pm we paint, then he does a demo. 

It was cloudy and patchy drizzle at first. I set up my easel here, looking towards a cafe across the lake. 

What I learned from him today was, “Get big tonal shapes right!”  I’ve heard him saying a million times, but, it’s always a great reminder. Also his timely suggestions were very useful. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Then he did a great demo from almost the same view point. It’s really fascinating to see how he starts and develops tonal structures. It is like watching a magic.
It was a great day. 

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Self-Portrait Oil Painting

In the afternoon I decided to paint a selfie in my studio (bathroom) as it started to rain.

I’m not sure about this one. It got too muddy.

I spent 2.5 hours. 

By the way, I bought AirPods recently and I’m loving these tiny wireless earphones. Very clever. It just works. Apple design at its best. You should get one. 

Oil on canvas. 11x15 in. 

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Breathe - film

I drove to Palace Cinema in Balwyn this morning. Weather forecast was not good, so, it’s a perfect day to go watch a film in this beautiful place. 

Well, one cannot help but feel very touched emotionally when watching a real story like this one, brilliantly acted by not only main characters but also nearly everyone. 

Putting aside British upper class privileges and its unashamed legacy of colonialism, the film at its core offers us an opportunity to reflect on what it means to live a life fully. 

Comparison to another film ‘Theory of Everything’ is inevitable. But, This is not what I was thinking. I was thinking of the man in ‘The Diving Bell and The Butterfly’. It’s a French film I saw a long time ago. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. 

Another thing I was thinking was Henrietta Lacks. Without her, there wouldn’t have been Polio vaccines. 

It’s very fascinating to see how each life ended up intertwined. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Westerfolds Park in Templestowe this afternoon. 

There’s a beautiful Manor House on the top of the hill, but, it’s abandoned. It’s a pity really. 

I’ve painted this one before a couple of times, from behind. I’ve decided to paint from front today. 

The structure of the building is fairly complex. I tried not to lose sight of its big picture. 

I lost beautiful shadows half way through and it got very cloudy. That was very tricky. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

With mercury rising to 35°, I decided to drive to Williamstown for fresh sea breeze. 

Every time I come here, I can’t resist temptation, well, I mean, Fish&Chips and Ice cream! You’ve got to have them. 

Unfortunately, it was too windy to set up easel near the water, so, I went to Botanical Gardens instead. 

I bumped into my artist friend Ray from Victorian Artists Society. He just finished his painting. He always does terrific work. 

It was still very windy but I managed to finish it. I focused on the effects of light, rather than too much details. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

My artist friend Tim and I decided to paint together, so, I drove to Malmsbury Botanical Garden this afternoon. 

This is my favourite place, always very peaceful. I set up my easel here, looking towards magnificent viaduct. 

It’s always nice to paint with someone, exchanging ideas. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Then we drove to Malmsbury Reservoir, just 5 min drive. I’ve never been here before. A lovely place. 

I had a problem painting foreground. And water is always a big challenge. I’m not so happy with this one, but, it was really beautiful watching sun going down. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

After lovely Christmas lunch at my client’s house, I drove to North Eastern Pony &Horse Club in Viewbank. 

This is where I take a morning walk. Beautiful view and horses. My favourite part of Melbourne. 

I didn’t have much time and energy, so this is a quick sketch. Still, it was very peaceful. I had a great chat with a young musician about art and painting. 

I spent 2 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Le Page Homestead in Hawkstowe this afternoon. Although very windy, it was very pleasant afternoon. 

I found a good place to set up my easel under a tree, giving me a decent distance to the Homestead. 

It’s frightening to realise how easily our eyes are fooled. The shed on the right was at first too low. I needed to wipe it off. 

The yellow fence looks too slanted now. I need to fix it. 

I love this place, keep coming back. There are hardly anyone in here on Christmas Eve. Very peaceful. I took a long walk after painting. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Lisette’s List by Susan Vreeland

I’ve recently come across this author. According to book reviews online (I know it’s a bad habit), she’s written some good stories based on paintings.

So, I’ve decided to have a go at it, and got an audiobook from Audible. 

What a great pleasure listening to this book, beautifully narrated by Kim Bubbs. 

I know it’s a fiction and I’ve never been to Provence, but the writing is so vivid and characters are so believable that I almost felt as if I was watching a film. 

Cezanne, Chagall, Picasso, Pissarro....  their lives are cleverly intertwined with main characters. And fascinating history in the early 1900s. 

Highly recommended. 

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Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith

Well, this is the last session of the year.  I just can’t believe it, it’s been very quick.

I started reworking on the cloth on the table. It wasn’t right. Too dirty. It needed a clean and fresh tone. Greg told me that the table at front should be lighter than the one behind. It’s incredible. I didn’t see. That’s because it’s catching more light due to my viewpoint.  

Also, he told me the kettle needs more warmth, suggesting a mixture of Cad Lemmon and Alizarin. The latter is indeed great to give it warmth.  

I did some work on the green stuff on the right, the bottle and the big vase at front. 

We’ll come back to the studio at the end of January. In the meantime, I’ll be attending his summer school when I can. Looking forward to it. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Woodlands Historic Homestead, near the Airport, this morning. 

I haven’t been here for a while. The Park itself is full of natural beauty. One can spend all day watching airplanes come and go. 

This is a my favourite viewpoint. I’ve painted from here many times. Big trees give me a great shade. It was very peaceful. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith

This is the second and final session with Paige. 

First, I fixed her hair :)   It was too dark and flat. Reflection of light on dark hair is always tricky. I used to use just White, resulting in bluish cool tone. Greg’s tip is, mix with Burnt Sienna, that will add warmth of light. 

Again, skin colour was looking too lifeless. I needed to mix more Light Red, and a touch of Cad Red. 

Eyes are always difficult. His advice was, sharpen one eye, in this case her left eye, and loosen the other because she’s looking away. Very nice. 

And mouth!!  Never seem to be able to get it right. I think John Singer Sargent is right. 

Although it’s not quite right, I really enjoyed painting her. She’s a great model. I’ve learned a lot. 

Unfinished. 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Le Page Homestead in Hawkstowe this afternoon. 

It’s been a while since I was here last time, this is my favourite place to be surrounded by beautiful gardens and trees. It’s always quiet. 

This time, I set up my easel here, looking towards exits. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It’s a bit sketchy and I think the dirt road at front has to be much lighter. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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John Singer Sargent - Documentary

A brief but beautifully produced PBS documentary follows the life of my favourite artist. 

It’s very rare to find documentaries about Sargent, so, I was very thrilled to find this although there’s nothing new in there. 

I was very glad that it focuses on his quality of work as a tonal realist. Look at ‘El Jaleo’. It’s shockingly brilliant. 

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Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith

We had a fabulous model today. Paige is one of the most promising hairstylists and everyone in the studio was thrilled to welcome her back to the studio. 

As usual, I started by applying Raw Umber & Light Red wash, then, plotting highlights and darks trusting my gut feeling. 

This unique method by Greg requires a completely new thinking, and I still have a bad habit of drawing elements. 

It’s a powerful approach to getting basic shapes right. Details will follow naturally later. I know.....

I think this is a good start. Looking forward to the second session. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

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