Hilary and Jackie - film

Well, after reading Jacqueline du Pre’s biography by Carol Easton and watching terrific documentaries by Christopher Nupen, it’s very difficult to come up with anything positive about this film. 

Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths show great performances here, but, the storyline and a rather grotesque description of her state of mind spoils the whole concept of the production. No wonder the film was harshly criticised by people who knew her. 

Obviously there’s always a great danger of canonising this great musician. At the end of the day, she was a human being with all familiar defaults like the rest of us. And there’s no way now of judging her character because she’s already gone. 

However, reading lots of stuff written by people who were very close to her, I do think the film was very unfair. 

And, to make things more complicated, it was based on the book written by her siblings.

Well, that’s another example of human frailty. 

Read more »

Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

I started today by working on a tin bowl on the left. Its shape was a bit crooked, so I carefully corrected it. 

Then, a water pitcher on the right. Its reflected highlight is actually diagonal, not vertical, Greg told me. Well, I didn’t see that. 

Finally, I did touch-ups on bread. The colours were dead, lacking in warmth. 

It’s getting better. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

Paul & I went back to Trentham East this morning. He picked up this spot on Chanters Lane. 

We had a lovely chat with its owner. A charming house. 

It was very fun painting this although very chilly. I always enjoy his company.

I think this composition is a bit awkward. I should have stepped back a bit. 

He did a great painting. The owner actually bought it!

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

After quick lunch, we decided to do some study. First, cows! I’ve never done it before. Because they kept moving, it was very difficult. 

I spent 30 minuets. 

Oil on panel. 6x8 in. 

Then, sunset. Again, this is my first serious study. It was just beautiful. I’m actually happy with this one. 

I spent 30 minuets. 

Oil on panel. 6x10 in. 

It was a great way of finishing up the day. I loved it. 

Read more »

Medusa’s Ankles by Bonnie Wright

I came across this short film through the article in Guardian this morning. Although I don’t know anything about the director, it sounded very interesting, simply because it's set in a hair salon.

Well, maybe it’s just me. I didn’t get it. What I take as a moral lesson from the film is, "Beware of a middle-aged woman with a bad hairdo. She could be very dangerous."

Let me know what you think of this work. 

Read more »

Cézanne Portraits

Another great lecture from National Gallery of Art. Cézanne exhibition just after Vermeer! Their wealth of materials and financial resources are astonishing. 
And they’re doing Corot later this year. 
I’m feeling depressed now being in Melbourne. How come NGV wasting precious funding on frivolity of contemporary art year after year?
However, here is a consolation. There’s no Gregory Smith in Washington DC to teach me oil painting! Only in Melbourne :)

Read more »

Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

Today, I started to put ‘skin tone’ on the canvas. That’s where I struggle. I have a bad habit of losing warmth, ending up dreadful mud. 

There were a lot of fine tuning going on. I need to calm down a bit, trying to focus on observing the shapes rather than rushing into details. 

Again, Joshua did a great job sitting for us. He’s very patient. 

We have one more session next week. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

Read more »

Jacqueline du Pré: A Biography

This is a very touching life story by Carol Easton. Downloaded from AMAZON Kindle Store. 

The first time I heard her record was in high school. It was Elgar. I didn’t know anything about classical music, but, that particular cello concerto captivated me. And this very beautiful musician on the front cover with big, beaming smile. And awesome long hair. I was in love, well, sort of. 

I liked the author’s writing style. Very lucid and flowing narratives without too much musical technicalities kept me going. 

She succeeds here in recreating this remarkable artist as a human being through extensive interviews. 

The fact that her siblings and husband Daniel Barenboim declined to do so adds an extra poignancy to this story. 

It’s really heartbreaking towards the end of her life. 

One can only be thankful to think that this wonderful person ever existed, achieved highest standard of musicianship and lived a life to the fullest. Although it was cruelly cut short. 

It’s fascinating to know that she once lived in Chepstow Villas, near Notting Hill Gate. I was living a couple of blocks from there a decade later. 

This clip is another my favourite. Dvořák. Pure and subliminal. Lovely to see them together. 

The book tells us that he risked his life for this charity concert. 

His political stance on current Israeli-Palestinian issues and his friendship with late Edward Said are very interesting, too. 

Read more »

Oil Painting at LastPeek Studio

I went to my favourite studio in Thornbury this afternoon. 

We had Keira today. A great model.  I’ve painted her before. She’s always very adventurous. She was wearing a massive curly hair wig. 

I spent 2.5 hours. As usual, it doesn’t look like her at all, but, I tried to study the effect of light very carefully. 

Unfinished. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Henry made a fabulous cake. He and Frank always create a great vibe in this space. 

I enjoyed it a lot. 

Read more »

Who was Jacqueline du Pré?

I’m reading her biography.

Such an exuberant beauty, creativity... taken away so early and brutally.
Then came pain, unbearable suffering and death. 

It’s too much. 

Elgar’s cello concerto never sounded more heartbreaking when I hear her play. 

Read more »

Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith

We had Joshua sitting for us for the next three weeks. A great model. 

As usual, Raw Umber and Light Red wash and rubbing off, trusting my gut feeling. 

Then start some measurements; angles and proportions. 

It’s amazing how our eyes see things incorrectly. My initial plotting was way off. 

Well, it’s not really looking good. I’ve got horrible frustrations at the moment. I’m afraid he needs a massive cosmetic surgery next week. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

Gang of three (Paul, Tim and me) got together again despite miserable weather. 

Paul suggested this place. It’s a farmhouse called ‘Frank Ham Greenslopes’ on James Lane in Tylden South. 

My easel collapsed twice, not a good sign. However I really enjoyed it. The whole area is just beautiful. I always enjoy their company. They moved on to the next spot, but I stayed on to finish this one. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

I didn’t have time to do another one. They were painting an abandoned railway bridge. They did a fabulous job. 

I’ll definitely come back here and paint. 

It was a great day. 

Read more »

Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith

I had a new subject today. 

That piece of wood at back is going to be a big challenge. 

As usual, starting with initial wash and rub back. This time, because there’re already lots of warmth in there, Gteg told me to mix Burnt Sienna with Raw Umber. That was a good suggestion. 

My first plotting wasn’t too bad. After measuring angles and proportions, it’s getting better. I think it’s a good start. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

Read more »

Painting trip to Majorca - Day5

After leaving Clunes Booktown Festival, I decided to do one more painting before going back home. 

I just wanted to be in a field without any noise, this spot was just perfect. It’s 5 minuets north of Clunes on Angus St. 

Watching huge clouds gracefully drifting across the vast autumn blue sky was something majestic. I really enjoyed this one, although I think somehow I lost darks in the foreground. I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Read more »

Michael Rubbo at Clunes Booktown Festival

In the morning, I drove to Clunes. I had absolutely no idea there’s a book festival over the weekend. 

First thing in the morning, I joined a historical tour. That was very interesting. 

Last night, I was looking at the program on their website, and found an author called Michael Rubbo giving a talk titled ‘Travels with my Art’ from 11am. 

Then, I googled him and found he’s a famous film maker and a plein air painter.

His brother Mark, owner of Readings bookstores, did an introduction. 

Michael’s life journey with his art is truly fascinating and very inspiring. I don’t want to go into details here, but, it was a great privilege attending this talk and having a chat with him. 

I bought his book and he kindly signed it along with a pencil drawing. 

I want to get hold of his film ‘Vincent and Me’, but, so far I haven’t been able to. He uploaded a snippet in his YouTube channel. It really looks lovely. 

Read more »

Painting trip to Majorca - Day 4

My intention was, drive to Laanecoorie, but, I found this interesting view on my way to Carisbrook. It’s near a corner of Williams Rd and C288. Beautiful autumn colours lining up towards a house were just stunning. 

I’ve found a way to attach an umbrella to the easel, and it just worked fantastically today. Like this. 

I think the foreground is a bit boring. I thought of putting sheep in, but, they were not there. Also, I was afraid I would ruin the painting. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Then I drove up to Laanecoorie, but, there wasn’t anything inspiring. Then, Tarnagulla and Moliagul. Nothing! I ended up driving to Dunolly. Somehow I wasn’t in a mood of painting there. 

By then, I gave up painting this afternoon. It was already 3pm. So, I decided to go to Clunes Booktown Festival. 

However, a miracle happened. Around Talbot, I came across this gorgeous view. It’s at a corner of King St and C287. 

It was just a magic. As the sun went down, the colours and tones became stunning. I had to be very quick. I’m very happy with this one. However, the shadows at foreground are dodgy, I have to say. I need to ask Greg. 

I spent 2 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Read more »

Painting trip to Majorca - Day 3

Early in the morning, I drove to Clunes. There’s Clunes Booktown Festival over the weekend, so, there were lots of activities in town. I don’t recall I’ve been here. There’re many charming buildings. 

Unfortunately weather was very bad, windy and rainy. The next moment, the sun comes out. It was a nightmare condition. 

I set up my easel here, looking towards Post Office. 

It was very hard. I think I did ok. I’d love to come back again when it’s more peaceful. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

It kept raining. I wasn’t in a mood of painting in town. I declared to take a chance and drive somewhere and paint in the field. 

Fortunately it got sunny, I set up my easel here. It’s near McCallum Creek in Dunach on C287. 

Weather still kept changing, but, definitely better. It was very quiet and I really enjoyed this one, although I think I failed to give a distance. I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Read more »

Painting trip to Majorca - Day 2

It was a glorious morning. 

Weather forecast told us that it’s going to rain in the afternoon, so I left early for Dunolly. 

It was getting cloudy, so, I set up my easel here. It’s on Maud St, looking towards huge silos. 

I’m reasonably happy with this one except foreground. It got too messy. A shame. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

I took a takeaway lunch from Bakery.  Very nice. I thought of driving to Avoca. It was a beautiful drive, but, when I got there it started to rain. I wasn’t in a mood of painting there, so, I drove to Talbot. 

I set up my easel in front of Slightly Bent Books, looking towards London House Cafe. 

I painted from this viewpoint last year. Very quiet. It started raining very hard and windy. Not a pleasant situation. Still, I enjoyed it. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Read more »

Painting trip to Majorca - Day 1

Well, I just love this area. Beautiful drive after Calder Highway. 

I had to do some grocery shopping, so, I decided to paint Maryborough Railway Station. 

I painted it last year. Greg told me that it was too close. This time, I set up my easel here. 

Because the sun was just behind me, I had to turn the easel around, it was very tricky. 

Buildings are always a challenge. I kept my brushstrokes very loose. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Read more »

Plein Air Oil Painting

I went to Heide Museum of Modern Art in Bulleen this afternoon. 

I was initially thinking of painting its old gallery building, but, it didn’t inspire me this time. So, I took a walk around the garden and found a great spot. 

Well, the place was saturated with fabulous autumn light. It was just stunning. 

I’m not sure how to paint so many layers of trees and leaves from foreground to background. 

After finishing it, my friend came over and we had a lovely chat sitting on a bench in the garden. 

I’ve heard that the quality of service at the cafe going very bad when management changed, and unfortunately it was true. 

Anyway, it was a great day. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

Read more »