Still trying to figure out water

 

Following this weekend experiement, I went back to the shores of Riviere du Nord for another try.

I think I got caught up in the overwhelming amount of details, and failed to see the simplistic version of what the watercolor expression could be. I do like the value arrangement. It Does feel natural. 

Its Spring!

After 7 months back in Canada, this is my first plein air painting...and when I think of it, It's actually the very first time I was doing plein-air painting in Canada. I found this spot near my home, in a small parc called, Nicolas-Viel, the big wide building across the river is a HighSchool. The river itself is  called Riviere du nord, meaning  river of the north. It's the nothern limit of Montreal. I wanted to emphasize the gradation on the water, but I think I've overdone it a bit. I should've used a cooler darker brown. I'll surely go back later when leafs come into play.

San Francisco #3

Still in SF, I attended a life drawing on thursday, it was great with a costumed model.




Saturday, I walked and found myself neat Civic Center, the day was nice but super windy.
I want to add the golden details on the dome, with gouache, but don't have any at the moment.

Then I sat at Grand Cafe, on Geary, I sketched while drinking Hendrick's Gin and eating oysters.

 

What happened in SF wont stay in SF

I was sitting in San Francisco, one of my favorite city (#2 after Tokyo, but don't tell SF), at Sushi Boat, a sushi restaurant on Geary, Eating my favorite food, Sashimi, (from Edo AKA Tokyo, don't tell SF), drinking Sake...and I got in the mood. I wanted to paint. Groovy music was softly blasting, Lalo Shiffrinesque, It was like living in Bullit or Dirty Harry. My head was wobbling, It was time for a new cornerstone. I asked the waiter to change place, ordered another Sake, then unfold my arsenal. I started sketching, with one thing in mind "no corrections".(undo is the worst thing ever... after Hitler) What if we could undo Hitler.... then undo would be #1 on my list. Anyway, I kept sketching and started painting. For the first time in my life, I was in total communion with watercolors. We didn't argue, at least not very much. I gave her room, she rewarded me, I kept going. In the end I was left with one of the best experience on-site painting I've ever had.

PS:Jin, if you are reading this... I wish you were here.

Me & Jin

I'm very fortunate these days, Jin, living in Singapore, has decided to take a little break to visit Shanghai. So here we are, walking down the cut-throat alley of Shanghai. Armed with brushes and paper, we assault all shapes, volumes, shades, and mood daring to challenge us. We're unstoppable, riding the surf of our washes trying to land on the shore of beauty island. The fight is fierce but under the constant gaze of the curious Shanghainese crowd.

Tong Li

Today I went out of Shanghai. After an hour bus ride, I've arrived in a rural area of China, a beautiful village, with water canal a la Venise. The old town center is forbidden to cars. It's quiet and peaceful, It's The postal Card's China. I've fled the tourist track, and wandered in the tight alley until I stumble upon this view. I've unfold my stuff and paint. Some kids were occasionally passing by.

Focus?

When it comes to plein air painting, the most annoying part for me, is how to deal with curious people. I know I shouldnt feel that way, because in the end, they are just people interested in art and curious to see the process. From my point of view, onlookers are a concentration breaker. Where I'm pulled out of my bubble, and start being too concern about how the painting look at every stage. Anyway, this time, I tried to stay focus. The crowd was just getting bigger and bigger. Like a flock of seagull around a McDonald trash bin. at some point I had to ask the people in front of me to clear out, because I couldn't see the landscape I was trying to paint. Anyway, I think it's a good school, if you need to learn how not to care, Shanghai is THE place to do your plein air painting.

San Francisco

Two quick studies I've done while I was in SF, the 1st one is the EA campus at Redwood, and the second one, is a dog on Haight street. I went to Napa, but by the time I started painting, the sun disappeared on the vineyard and I couldnt finish it. :) Too bad because it was a beautiful sight, at Whiterock winery, the wine tasting was quite nice too. One thing that strike me everytime I reach California, is the quality of the light. The sun is much brighter than everywhere else I've been. Very similar to south of france type of sun.

Shanghai Shanghai

Here are some of the little studies I've been doing recently, walking down the street until something get my attention, but then again, it need to be a suitable spot to sit or lean on something to paint. On my palette I'm carrying, Ultramarine, Phtalo Blue, Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Yellow Cadmium & Yellow Lemon. Big focus on temperatures, I've discover interesting ways of making greys. I'm using a little block, Fabriano, 5x7 inches, 140lbs, grana fina, cp. 2010 is a year of progress for me, encouraging for what is coming next.

Plein air Singapore

Here are some on-site painting I did recently. both the same day. A bright sunny day, slightly hazy. While I was painting the statue of Raffles, a tourist stopped by and started talking... I quickly sent him away. That was rude, but I was proud. I cant talk while I paint, I'm trying hard to stay in the zone, I cant tolerate intruders. The incident threw me off anyway, you can see how the legs are.... bleh... So my advice to non-painter trying to make contact with a painter: Shut the fuck up and keep your distance, If you cant resist the urge to talk, wait till the job is done.

Turf Club #2

Yielding power

I was on my way home few days ago and quickly sketched this old taxi driver. Depleted by an entire life of hard labor, yet holding the wheel with a firm grip. His arms, pure nerves, yield the Toyota Crown thru the busy streets of Singapore. Safely arriving home, i folded my pad with the firm intention, to constantly wield my brushes the same way, with confidence and intensity. Few days later, I took the sketch and applied watercolors to it. Phtalo Blue & English Red(schimcke). I use a hake brush for 3/4 of the job. I forgot how much I loved this brush. Size is 24x32 cm, on 140lbs Fabriano paper.

Sentosa

Sunday I went to Sentosa beach, the sun was all out, and the distance was very hazy. It was hard not to squint. The wind was blowing, and it was hard to keep my equipment at one place. Ants and flies came in helping me adding textures. None died in the process. The original size are 9.5 x 12.5 inches, my scanner is slightly smaller so they're a bit cropped. My palette was Phtalo Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt sienna, raw sienna, some yellow cadmium & very little cadmium red.

Cloudy Sunday by the pool

I don't know how to name this entry.

Thursday afternoon, the sun was playing hide and seek with me. I wanted to go out but a menacing cloud was hovering constantly. Stubborn as usual, I went out and took a cab. Apparently, the cloud was just above my condo, the rest of Singapore was bright and shiny. I sat down near Arab Street, ordered a lemonade, and start painting furiously. After an hour and 2 glasses, I wasn't happy at all with the result. I finished it the next morning, darkening and cooling the shadowed area. I also added some figures, they could have been done better.

This one was inspired by a photo I saw on fffffffound. It was a CCTV camera, with a big square on top of it, with two holes. The picture lingered in my mind for days... so I put down my version of CCTV Robot.

Singapore Turf Club

I took my brushes for a walk today, went to the Turf Club on Bukit Timah. I have to make horses studies for my graphic novel. It's the perfect place for what I need. After few quick sketches, I noticed a young one holding still. Gotcha! Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine, Indian Yellow.

Long time, no see

I havent paint in a while, I wanted to, but I'm very good at finding cheap excuses to not too. Yesterday I was in VivoCity at Page One, and I got a book i had in my amazon wishlist for a while. Trevor Chamberlain, A personal View, Light and Atmosphere in Watercolour. I sat in my studio and started reading it at night, then some more in the morning, at 1:oopm the urge to paint was unbearable. Seduce by such simplicity i've found my challenge. To paint outdoor, using only 2 washes + descriptives brushstrokes. And to focus only on lights & Shadows. This is the result after 45min. which most was spent thinking hard about thoses 2 washes before actually doing it. In my mind Mr. Chamberlain sat next to me, explaining how he would tackle down my subject. I couldnt see where i was going only when start putting the shadows. My fav part is the lower right. I think I really capture the plumbing sunlight. I use a butcher tray palette, so colors ran and mix freely. Cobalt Blue, Raw & Burnt Sienna, Cadmium yellow. The paper is Saunders Waterford Series 140lb Rough.

Saturday is Shisha Day!

I took a cab to arab street, sat at Usman Restaurant on the sidewalk. Order 1 double apple shisha and a mint tea. The game was on, I unfold my palette, and started sketching. I used a Maruman Soho 301 paper. Very light but can get a decent wash. Force you to avoid reworking too much.

Saturday & nothing to say.

Environment is my weakness, not saying that I excel in figure painting.

The kids were playing outside, I finished this painting, and realized that I didnt put a soul in it. The pool was full actually.

This venue could be the next official venue of Dr Sketchy Singapore.

Apple's Day on Arab Street

I was walking the streets of Singapore today, with my 2years old son. He fell asleep and I sat down in a small turkish restaurant. I ordered a double-apple shisha and a big cold apple tea. Apple all the way. The view was very charming in front of me, vintage Singapore was talking with splash of colors. I subdued and pull out my brushes and watercolors, asked the server to bring me a big jug of plain water then started sketching. 40 min later, my son woke up. I ordered a fresh pressed apple juice for him... Apple all the way. It kept him busy for 10 min so I could do some last touch up. The original is 8x11 inches in size. The scan has a very different feel to it. I've done this one in my Super Deluxe Bee paper, 93lb with a textured surface with an excellent tooth.