Turner’s Thames - BBC

Another knockout documentary by very trusted Matthew Collings. 

I love his intelligent way of putting words together. Beautiful and lucid. And his gentle style of presentation. 

This program explores the connection between river Thames and one of my favourite artists. 

Definitely worth watching. 

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Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith

This is the second session and the last one. It’s shockingly frustrating when things are not working as I wish. 

Emilija is such a lovely, gentle person. But, I just couldn’t get it right. It looks like she’s suffering from migraine. 

However, it was a joy to have her sitting for us. I learned a lot. 

Unfinished. 16x20 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I had a few hours this afternoon before going to Greg’s class, so, decided to do a quick sketch. It’s near Banyule Swamp in Viewbank. 

It was very peaceful. I spent 2 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 11x15 in. 

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Oil Painting at LastPeek Studio

I went to my favourite studio in Thornbury this afternoon. 

We had a fantastic model Bronte. I’ve never painted her before. She’s got such incredible eyes and beautiful curly hair. 

I think I should have scaled down a bit, incorporating the background more. It looks too close. I’d like to have another go at it. 

It’s always nice to see familiar faces. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting

Another great lecture on the recent exhibition at National Gallery of Art in Washington. 

This time, curator Arthur Wheelock spends first half on Gerard ter Borch, Gerrit Dou, Pieter de Hooch and other contemporaries of Vermeer. I’ve never heard of any of them. 

Then he talks about how the latter was so different from the formers. 

I found that he’s a great presenter. Very lucid and a good sense of humour. Rare quality among art critics, historians and academics. 

As the subtitle says, this one offers ‘New Insights and Discoveries.”

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Jeremy Mann - oil painter

I’ve been following him for a while. Beautiful atmospheric cityscapes and dreamy figurative works, pushing the boundaries of ‘representational’ paintings. 

We’re very fortunate that a film maker Loic Zimmermann has recently posted this superb documentary on YouTube, titled ‘A Solitary Mann’. I just love the tone and texture of the production. 

It’s always great to delve into the mind of artists. Fascinating to hear him talking about Zorn Palette, beauty of colour grey, etc...

You know what? I made an exciting discovery in the film that I don’t think anyone has done. 

Have a look at the scene 15:47. There are many photos of paintings on the studio wall. 

Can you recognise a painting of a nude figure whose right arm is resting on a wooden box?

I think that painting must be ‘Study of a girl, half-nude, leaning on box’ by Hugh Ramsay, an Australian painter and my hero. The painting is now at National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. 

I don’t know how I can check if this is correct or not. What do you think? Let me know your thoughts. 

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Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith

We had lovely Emilija today as our portrait model. 

When I was cutting her hair in the salon a few weeks ago, I just asked her if she was interested in sitting for us. 

She said yes and I was very thrilled. 

It makes a big difference when we have such a fantastic model. She was just a joy to paint. I really enjoy doing a portrait in Greg’s class. I’m learning a lot. 

The problem is, it doesn’t look like her at all at the moment. I think I’m getting good at painting a portrait of someone who’s not a sitter! Never mind. See how it turns out next week. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

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The Post - film

I went to Palace Cinema in Westgarth this morning.

Against high expectations I had from this most talented triumvirate in Hollywood, I was very disappointed. As one of the most important civilian actions against mighty US government, it deserves much more serious rendering.
Here, I felt Spielberg turned the event into simplistic high society, corporate melodrama. That’s really a shame because there are plenty of great actors in the film, not to mention the two leading performers.

If you’re interested in the subject, you’re better off watching this superb documentary instead.

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Tooradin Jetty in Mornington Peninsula, 1.5 hour drive south-east of Melbourne, this afternoon. 

I usually drive north to paint, but, I thought I needed to explore different areas. I had no idea about this place, I just found it while browsing Map on my iPhone last night. 

As it turned out, it’s really a great place to paint. East Link has made a huge difference to the trip to this region. 

It’s relatively quiet for Sunday, I thought. It wasn’t too hot either. 

Well, I think I made a compositional mistake. I should have chosen closer viewpoint, focusing on the boats, rather than trying to put a whole thing in the painting. It seems lacking in the focal point. 

I’ll definitely come back and try it again. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Self-Portrait Oil Painting

Another selfie in my studio (bathroom). 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Unveiling the portrait of the Obamas

Well, it’s bound to happen. All those vitriolic reactions and comments, not only towards the paintings but also against them personally, and policies.

Everybody has a different opinion when it comes to the portraits. I'm not particularly fond of them. However, we have to remember the Obamas chose their artists themselves. So, they knew what’s coming with regards to painting styles. 

I still prefer Obama’s campaign poster of ‘HOPE’ by Shepard Fairey. That one was truly

a stroke of genius.

Gosh, they give such an inspiring speech.

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Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith

The background was a bit patchy, it was caused by the inconsistency of oil in Ivory Black & Cad Red when applied. So, I painted it again to smooth it out. 

When I did it, Greg told me to lose unnecessary edges to push them backwards. 

The table was too light compared to background, so I lightened it a bit. 

The onions were still too cool, so I warmed them up with Burnt Sienna. 

I’ll do one more session. I’m learning a lot. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

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My Left Foot - film and Christy Brown

What is your favourite Daniel Day-Lewis film? One of the greatest actors ever.

It’s really a tough one. I’d say, In the Name of the Father. Well, it’s a long story. 

Then, this one. Definitely. 

I had seen it a long time ago. I was at Ivanhoe Library last week and I thought I should see it again now that I’m a painter myself. 

What an astonishing performance! 

However, as you probably know, this Oscar winning film left out a truly tragic ending of the life of Christy Brown. If you don’t know, you need to read a book by Georgina Louise Hambleton. 

I’m not so sure why the film makers decided to choose that rather misleading ‘happy’ ending. 

Like I said, because I practise painting myself now, looking back at his artistic life, as tragic as it was, I’m enormously inspired by this man. The book of the same title by himself is also worth reading.

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Plein Air Oil Painting, Fred Williams

I drove to TarraWarra Museum of Art, an hour drive north-east of Melbourne, this morning. 

There’s a small exhibition of my favourite artist Fred Williams, and today is the last day. It’s alway inspiring to see his works. 

Another exhibition is a photographic work by Rosemary Laing. A collection of large scale landscapes. I used to get deeply moved by these, but, I’ve completely lost interest since I started painting. 

I bumped into my client at the entrance, immediately recognising her curly graduated bob style from behind. That’s very impressive, I think. 

Then, I drove to Healesville Railway Station, and set up my easel here. 

I’ve painted this view before, but wasn’t happy. Today, I tried to observe the effect of light more carefully, paying attention to subtle tonal shift. What do you think?

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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David Whyte at TED 2017

One of my favourite poets.

‘Pilgrim’, ‘Everything is Waiting for You’, ‘The Three Marriages’....  

Titled “A lyrical bridge between past, present and future”, this is another masterful delivery of his very touching poems.

There’s something about his voice and the way he repeats sentences that always captivates my imagination. And a powerful evocation of the beauty of nature.

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Darkest Hour - film

It was too hot to go back home after work, so I decided to go to Palace Cinema in Balwyn.

I didn’t have any particular film in mind, it was just a matter of timing. 

I really enjoyed this one. It must be a difficult job to sustain audience’s interest when the story line is a well-known historical event. 

In that sense, the film succeeds greatly due to wonderful performances by main characters and beautiful soundtrack. Production design is also very impressive, creating a very convincing atmosphere of the time. 

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Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith

This is the second session. 

I did a background and a table first to bring subjects forward. 

Greg warned me not to paint glass objects too perfect because they are not the primary object, losing edges so that they look as if blending into the background.  

How we paint onions in a plastic bag is really an interesting exercise. Firstly, when you squint your eyes, you notice that there are two main shapes. One is a bright plastic bag. Then a collection of glass objects that are much darker and blurred. 

This fact should be obvious to viewers. My painting at that stage looked all the same tonally. So, Greg told me to brighten up the plastic bag with thicker paints. 

That was a great advice. I’m really enjoying this one. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Trentham, an hour drive north-west of Melbourne, this afternoon.

This is a very charming town and I set up my easel here at Quarry St Recreation Reserve. 

I’ve painted here before with Tim in April last year. This time, I’m looking at red bridge. 

I’m still here writing this. It’s very peaceful and ducks are making funny noises, but nothing else. The weather is just perfect, lovely breeze gently caressing trees around the water. 

I spent 2.5 hours. I might go for a walk now.

Well, I met a couple from South Australia. Gary and Julia Lee-Gaston were very kind couple. As it turned out, he is a prominent artist in Adelaide, and they happened to be staying near the lake.
They invited me to an apartment and he showed me lots of his drawings.
I had a fascinating chat with them about art. As I left, he gave me a few life drawings. Totally unexpected.
I was very inspired by them.

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Vincent and Theo

Another great audiobook from Audible, written by Deborah Heiligman and narrated by Phil Fox. 

After reading many books about them, I was still deeply moved by their stories. 

Based on the letters they exchanged, the author successfully created a narrative that gives us a vivid imagery surrounding the life of two brothers. 

Apparently the book was intended for young readers, but, I think it appeals to readers of any generation. 

Also, the narrator did a splendid job here. 

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