Its been awhile since I've done still-life so I suddenly inspired to paint a stack of jars in the studio using dead-coloring method. Although not so detailed and time-consuming as the real dead -coloring by the old masters like Vermeer, I decided to incorporate fast paced contemporary elements into my still-life...

Monks in watercolor Cambodia

Monks in watercolor

Found a photo in the studio belonging to a student. I was so captivated by that photo that I suddenly had an aching urge to try to paint this in watercolor. I'll upload the photo soon so you'll get the idea what it looks like in a photograph.

I admit I am not a master at watercolor, but attempting this was an excellent challenge I appropriately needed. Comfort zone is sometimes a witch with a capital B... haha. Just sucks you right in the safe zone. Safe zone in the arts is like a "no-development zone". So I'm trying to stay away.

A critique of my own work I would say, amateur. To much things going on in the background... and unlike oil painting where its so easy to manipulate and re-correct, watercolor sometimes put you in a no-mistake area.... or you'll have to learn from your mistake and create a better one.

Have a cuppa

Indulged myself to a cuppa. Watercolor on paper.

Highlights

I've said this a thousand times till my lips are numb and my spit over-pouring.... CONTRAST, CONTRAST, CONTRAST. Without contrast, the image we draw or paint or express wouldn't have the 3-Dimensional, realistic illusion we all want out of our still-life painting or drawing or anything... actually. Many forget about contrast. Wherever there's dark.... there ought to be light...  vise versa. So I made a point to educate my students about the importance of highlights..... chalk on black paper.... this is my demo....

Just with highlights on black paper, astounding works can be achieved. Its all about the fundamentals.

If you are in Singapore and want to know more about contrast and how you can manipulate them to your advantage in creating an art piece, visit us at www.arthaus.com.sg

Cracked Oil and Acrylic on canvas 24 x 36

A piece I made for a filming set... a sequel to Swirls.

Swirls in translation

Sorry didn't update for quite some time... mind-block... but ultimately no excuses. Well, I had a hard time on this one. Remember I said in my previous blog that I'm gonna try to push further.... using colours out of my comfort zone??... I tried with this one... took me awhile to get it right. I ventured into the GREEN horizon.... and sprinkled it with bright red in e beginning.... but it looked too bloody raw and tasteless... like sashimi... so I pondered and lingered and decided to give a white swirly wash over it... looks ok to me.... at least better than that wash. Peace.