Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

This is the last session.

Lindsay is a lovely model, very patient. There’s very delicate gentleness in her pose which I hadn’t been able to paint. 

The whole thing still looked too yellow, so I tried to change that by more White and a bit of Light Red. Her eyes were too dark and left eyebrow was too angled, making her look very angry. Her lips were missing vibrancy, and here comes a magic ingredient, Cad Red! I was busy changing all of that. 

Then, her hair. Overall shape was ok. I put some highlights and made her right side blurry. I also softened the edges of right side of her face to recede. 

Finally I put a necklace which turned out to be a good one. 

I’m reasonably happy with this one. I’ve learned a lot. 

Unfinished 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

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The Impressionists - BBC

What a gem from BBC!!

Ok, there’re obvious omissions. Pissarro, Cassatt, Morisot, Sisley... 

Does that matter? For me, no. There’re tons of books about Impressionists, and I’ve already read a lot. 

This film is very charming and at the same time, touching. Beautifully shot and performed with fitting soundtrack. 

I can’t help but smile when Monet, Renoir and Bazille were painting outdoors and their easels were all collapsing due to strong winds. That youthful energy, passion and excitement of painting in the fields were beautifully played and shot. 

One of my favourite films, which gives me shivers every time I watch it. It’s a great reminder how lucky I am to have discovered the joy and happiness to paint outdoors. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Woodlands Historic Park, near Melbourne Airport, this morning. It’s been a while since I painted here. 

As weather started to deteriorate, I had to be quick. Wind was very strong, the easel collapsed twice. 

Then, it started to rain heavily. I was able to finish it, that was lucky. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Jacquline du Pre - Favourite Cello Concertos

Downloaded from iTunes. Treasure trove of her stunning performance. Dvořák and Elgar are definitely highlights. 

A precious moment. Barenboim & Jackie together. Electrifying. My favourite. 

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Gregory R. Smith, 42nd solo exhibition

You’re invited to his solo show at Victorian Artists Society. 

I’ll be making a speech at the opening, so, come around and have a look at tonal realism oil painting at its best. 

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Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

This is the second session. 

As it turned out, it got too orange. Greg told me there’s too much Naples Yellow Deep. I think that’s the problem I end up having. So, I applied more White & tiny bit of Light Red. I think the colour at her chest now looks ok. 

He also told me to make a bigger pool of colours on a pallet. 

Well, there’re many things that need to be fixed. I’m getting a bit worried. We have one more session next week. 

Work in progress. 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

Last night I was thinking that it’s been a while since I painted outdoors and weather was promising, so I decided to go to Lancefield, about an hour drive north- west of Melbourne. 

Paul suggested this spot on Three Chain Rd between Lancefield and Cobaw. Tim also joined us. 

The area was just beautiful. Being in a field painting with good friends is such a wonderful experience. Precious moments. 

I’m happy with this one. I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

The guys were painting a second one, so I decided to do a small sky study. I felt so good doing this one, although it’s not quite right. 

Oil on canvas. 6x10 in. 

It was a bit windy but we had gorgeous winter sunshine. It was a great day. 

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Ella - film

Recommended by my client. 

It’s a very touching documentary, beautifully and sensitively produced. Interweaving her life story with history of Australia, I mean, the treatment of indigenous people in this country. 

The film offers a fascinating insight into the world of dance and what it means to be a human being. 

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Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

We’re lucky to have a new sitter for three sessions. 

Lindsay is a lovely model. Very patient. 

As usual, I started a wash with Raw Umber and Light Red, covering the canvas. 

Then, rubbing off with a cloth to get highlights. 

Greg told me not to be in a hurry, just slow down and observe. And get a big structure right using tonal variations. 

Nothing is quite right yet, but I think it’s a good start. 

Work in progress. 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

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‘I always loved you’ by Robin Oliveira

This is another great production by Audible, narrated brilliantly by Mozhan Marnot. 

Although the plot is rather straightforward, the author succeeds in keeping me intrigued to the end, vividly recreating the life of Mary Cassatt and her relationship with Edgar Degas in Paris during heyday of Impressionist movements. 

I didn’t know much about her, and the book gave me a good opportunity to explore this lesser known painter. 

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Oil painting at Lastpeek Studio

I went to my favourite studio in Thornbury this afternoon. 

Mel was wearing beautiful tutu, but, I just focused on her top. I’m not sure about this one. There’s something wrong. I think her head is too long. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Unfinished. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Selfportrait Oil Painting

After conducting a haircutting workshop in the salon (she’s a hairdresser client of mine), I decided to have a go at another selfie in my studio (bathroom) in the afternoon. 

This time, looking straight at a mirror. Again, accompanied by heavenly cello by Jacquline du Pre. 

I think this one is better than yesterday’s. I spent 3 hours. 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

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Creative Workshop at Covet&Co in Ivanhoe

I had a very keen participant this morning.

She’s actually a client of mine since BIBA days (17 years ago). I didn’t know she’s a hairdresser until recently.

It’s great to see her still wanting to grow artistically. She did a great job. 

If you want to know more about this workshop, the link is here. 

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Mary Cassatt's Formation: Forging a Path as a Woman in a Man's World

I’ve been reading ‘I always loved you’ by Robin Oliveira, a historical fiction about Mary Cassett and Edgar Degas during hey day of French Impressionism movements in Paris.

Then, I found these fabulous lecture series on YouTube by Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. 

Very informative and entertaining. I couldn’t stop. 6 hours of an intellectual feast on this rainy Sunday.

My favourite is Erica Hirshler. The second one.

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Selfportrait Oil Painting

Because weather was bad, I decided to do another selfie in my studio (bathroom). 

I listened to Jacquline du Pre on my AirPods while painting this one. Blissful experience. 

I spent 3 hours. 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

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Circus OZ - Precarious

After work, I went to a big top in Botanic Gardens with a friend. 

I’ve been going to see their productions every year and I love them. 

Unlike previous years in Birrarung Marr near the Yarra River, this venue was a lot smaller and there wasn’t a break. 

That made this ‘Precarious’ much more intimate, cozy and thrilling. A real circus atmosphere in a small country town. 

There was a clever story line about our environment. All the acts were superbly executed. Music, costume and choreography were all meticulous. 

What a talent and creativity they demonstrated! Again!

I love their humanistic approach to their production. They always acknowledge the traditional owner of the land. At the end of the show, they seek a donation for Asylum Seeker Resource Center. 

According to an information, this is their 40th anniversary. I consider them as one of the most iconic institutions in Australia and would like to keep supporting them. 

It was a wonderful evening. 

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Great Lives - Jacquline Du Pre

Another great program from BBC with always impeccable Matthew Parris. Worth listening.

The link is here. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Olinda this afternoon. It was a beautiful sunny day. A very nice drive. 

To my horror, I couldn’t find a decent spot to paint. I just had a lunch and decided to drive back. 

I was getting annoyed and desperate. And finally found this view. 

I’m standing in front of ‘A Taste of Norway Gallery’ on Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd. 

I wasn’t sure if the gallery was open or not, I just didn’t bother. 

The contrast of lights and darks was unbelievable. 

I don’t think I did a good job painting two big trees. I’m reasonably happy with the rest, though. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Oil painting at LastPeek Studio

I went to my favourite studio in Thornbury this afternoon. 

We had Tijana again today. A wedding theme. 

I’m happier than last time. Skin tone is a bit better. However, I got less likeness today. 

My struggle continues. 

Frank and Henry set up a gorgeous stage with beautiful garden flowers. 

A lovely afternoon. 

Unfinished. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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