100 Potraits Challenge- First 10pcs

Whew, time flies and it's 2022, 2 years into the COVID-19 Pandemic since 2020 March or so. Along the way I did paintings that I wanted continue from my project in New Zealand, did some self portraits, some commissioned works.. then... all of the sudden I'm not sure what theme specifically I wanted to paint. All I knew is I wanted to paint portraits. 

Inspired by an artist who I purchased his course, A.J.Alper, on Domestika, mentioned about 100 portrait challenge. Being a big portrait fans I thought this is a good idea. So I begun my portrait painting journey. 

I sourced my photos from friends, facebook, pexels and other free to use photo website, and Instagram too with the permission of the person. I wanted to take photos of people around me as model too, but am scared of covidsssssss. Would be nice to paint from live too, hit me up if you would like to model for me hahah.

The paintings are all done in small scale of A3 size as I only have a small corner where I do my painting, minus the luxury of storing heaps of large size paintings. The biggest pro of small painting is that I could finish them faster, allowing me to experience trial and error in a short period. It too helps me with my indecisive behavior, which occasionally become the reason I procrastinate. I always need to remind myself,

 " I have 100 to go! 100 to try in anyways I like!  Don't spend too much time thinking if these are the perfect reference to go with." 

Though I can't assure this is a good mindset, hence I learnt to a quick sketch prior to figure out how I feel about those selected reference, and if I wanted to make it into a finalize painting.

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Here are my first 10 paintings, started since August 2021.

Initially I started off with thinking doing classic shoulder above portraits, however it slowly evolves into including intricate details, like fine strokes of hair, a background that gives the portrait a story...

Portrait #1

-A very standard portrait to begin with.

Portrait #2

-Is this considered a "portrait"? Well, I don't really know, but I know I'm amazed with how this turns out. The hair is done in such brush stroke that I loved the result .

Portrait #3

-Considered the first failed painting in first 10', I scrape quite a few times eventually I decided to give up and take it as a lesson, which perhaps could be a bad reference choice :( 

Portrait #4

-back to doing normal portraits...

Portrait #5

-the first half body portrait in this project. This is my high school friend Lydia with her violin. I don't know how violin are usually hold, but the fingers pose was sure weird to paint.

Portrait #6 (sold)

-after painting Portrait #2 I really wanted to paint a back portrait again. Selected this picture and experiment with realistic detailed hair and abstract background.

Portrait #7 (sold)

-While looking thru photos of my facebook friends I really like this OCD-kinda set up, the colourful details, neatly arrange alcoholic drinks, a sign board on the edge. Everything is perfect. Sure it took me patience to paint the background more then the person, but it's one of the painting I enjoy the most in first 10s.

Portrait #8

-found this cool reference with lemons and greens and interesting hairstyle with nice lighting. It was fun to paint.

Portrait #9

-And...I fell into the rabbit hole of back portrait, not to mention falling in love with cultural designs of traditional clothing. 

Portrait #10

-And l like to use palette knife for maneuvering paint for abstract background, tried sticking flat based pearls on the cheongsam as pop out embellishment.

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That's all for now, thanks for reading! :)

2020 First Post

Hi my art blog. I know it has been a while since I posted anything here.
Marking 2020, half a year is passing soon and I've been slowly getting back on my feet on the art journey.

Things to be grateful:
I now occupied a small art studio that used to be my brother's room. He got married therefore moved out. Although it's cramped with items but it has became my tiny heaven.

I started working as a part time lecturer, maybe moving onto full time once I'm more settled into the job. Teaching is hard work, but, I know this is what I've been looking forward to since coming back to Malaysia.

My parents are providing me food and roof in this pandemic. Imagine if I'm still wandering, working all by myself overseas in New Zealand. I'm grateful to be back to home despite that ringgit currency sucks. Ahaha.

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So I came back to Malaysia in mid January, in time for Chinese New Year.
After celebrations, I started to arrange my belongings, tidying things and get ready to produce artworks.

In March, I received my lecturing job offer under the assist of my lecturers. Imagining that I will be working for the school I used to study at, Dasein Academy of Art! It is a great honor to be contributing back in Malaysia's art education. Although I don't know how far will I be in it, but let's appreciate being in the moment and do my best.
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During my time in New Zealand, after graduating I haven't had much time to immerse myself into the indulgence of oil painting. I had done watercolors most time, each mediums carries their own charm. But the yummy buttery texture and flexibility in styles creation of oil painting is incomparable. Hence, to produce more oil paintings has certainly became a to-do-list on my coming back. Regardless so, I'm also hoping to explore mediums such as wool felting, art creation and exploration sure is endless.

So first thing to do is build my portfolio, and get onto making artworks.
The idea that I settled into at first was a 3 phase of works, naming Here, There and Then. 

Here refers to my my homeland, Malaysia. The familiarity. The re-observation of past and now. That might had turned into an unfamiliar realm.

There refers to the temporary existence of student life, which includes insecurity of that period.

Then refers to the life of a friend and his family, some particular moments that I find it interesting that I do not experience in my own culture.

Honestly speaking I'm not sure if I got everything I needed for this project. After discussion with friends, they pointed what's wrong with it and I'm aware of what they mentioned. I somewhat knew the problem but need verification.

Anyhow, decision came to let's move one step then follows the other as the first warps up.

First, I'm gonna finish the series of student flatting life and self portrait.
Zeta was the flat name where many good friends live. It's sort of rundown, if one wanna compares them to their homes with family.

 Adrian and Ian II
2020
Oil on Canvas
42cm x 56cm

 Milo, Cookies and Noodles
2020
Oil on Canvas
30.5cm x 41cm

 NG Chilling II
2020
Oil on Canvas
56cm x 42cm


combined with previous works from 2017,

 Adrian and Ian
2017
Oil on Canvas
23cm x 27cm

 Adrian, Ian and Anson
2017
Oil on Canvas
36in x 55in

 NG Chilling
2017
Oil on Canvas
41cm x 35cm

Now looking back at 2017's work they looked more raw compared to 2020, it might be that my brushstrokes are getting more loose since then or because 2017's work were not on a stretcher. Overall I would say they still looked pretty good put together.

There're a few more I'm planning to paint to call this series fully complete. This series made me realize the intimate small sized painting gives a different vibes compared to larger paintings that I got accustomed to maybe because the fashion in the art scene was so. Certainly size has became a far more important factor to consider in making future artworks. Because of the shaggy furniture and interior it has also provided me a chance to play around with rough texture. Especially the wall and sofas.

I'm thinking to post works from other series too, but I should try to keep this clean perhaps.
So am gonna leave it here for now.

Till next update, my art blog.

Tags: 人物画 Figurative Painting 人物油画

Surroundings---My Master studies

Hi Guys I know I haven't got around to update for a really long time...Please take some time to learn more what I have been working when I was doing my Master study! Overall I'm highly satisfied with this project and has continue making plans for it.

Introduction
From 2017 to early 2018, I started my Master studies at Otago Polytechnic in Visual Arts. The course is similar to Honors, you are required to do a year long project. As usual, my inspirations comes from my interest of reading. I was heavily inspired by the famous Japanese author Haruki Murakami. Murakami is well known but I never got around to read his book until a friend recommends and I decided to pick up his famous 'Norwegian Woods'. There, I got hook on instantly by his magical writings and decided to make a marathon on his works. What I read include:

• Norwegian Woods
• Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
• Sputnik Sweetheart
• Kafka on the Shore ( I love Kafka's writing too if you don't know :)
• Dance, Dance, Dance
• Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

If I had to rank, my favorites are Norwegian Woods +
Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World + Dance, Dance, Dance

Other than the surrealism writing style, what I adore most is Murakami's perspective of describing life in terms of mundaness.

For instance in Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, when the protagonist's door was kicked open, life threatened , the character's focus were on the broken door instead of his life. Also, asking questions like do you wear your earring when you shower? They may look like they make no contribution to the main story line, however the humorous breath brings an intricate relationship with the readers.

Several elements that makes me attached to his works are solitude, loneliness and the act of examining surroundings in depth. Which it resonates with my solitary life in New Zealand. So I decided to take on Murakami's inspiring works and re-observe my surroundings, people and life moments.

Studio Works, Thought and progress
Like many artists, I take photograph reference for my paintings.  I used to have people pose for me when taking photos. But I decided to not do so for this project because I wanted to capture life the way they are.

Many of the works done in this project are small in sizes. Bearing the idea of flatting, in a temporary living space; therefore comes the idea of easy carrying size.

The project's comes in a few section: Zeta the flat, people who I approach with personal interest and attraction and people I already knew (including myself)

Zeta the Flat 

(All photos are taken in this particular flat that I visited countless time)

Adrian and Ian 

2017 

Oil on Canvas

23 cm x 27 cm 

Adrian, Ian and Anson (from left to right) 

2017 

Oil on Canvas 

36 in x 55 in

N.G. Chilling 

2017 

Oil on Canvas 

41 cm x 35 cm 

Sleeping Anson

2017

Oil on Canvas

21 cm x 37 cm

Surrounded

2017

Oil on Canvas

51 cm x 36 cm

-I sold a few postcards for this work which I found it interesting

Corridor and Open Doors

2017

Oil on Canvas

52 cm x 29 cm

-Even if you decided not to be sociable with the people you lived together, but you can't avoid seeing them in the open space like the corridors

 The Familiarity 

Dining at Fiona’s 

 2017

 Oil on Canvas 

35 in x 55 in 

Fatty is Sleeping

2017

Oil on Canvas

22.5 cm x 12.5 cm

Sunbathing

(from left: Evelyn, Isabelle, Yong Wei, Valerie)

photo courtesy: Kong Xing Jun

2018

Oil on Canvas

37 in x 54 in

 Other Interest

Jia Hui 

2017 

Oil on Canvas 

18 cm x 22 cm 

-One of my most voted works, I won painting runner up with this small painting at the Otago University Art week Exhibition 2017

Watercolour Portrait of Jia Hui 

2017 

Watercolour on Paper 

18 cm x 14 cm 

Lik De in Kitchen 

2017

 Oil on Canvas 

38 cm x 53 cm

Yao Lik and Lik De

2017

Oil on Canvas

60 cm x 39 cm

Together 

2017

Oil on Canvas

35 cm x 46 cm

If you are interested to read my full essay I wrote for my project Surroundings , you can download from here :)

https://www.4shared.com/office/BXsnykHPee/Master_in_Visual_Arts_essay_Yo.html

Loving Intimacy// Part II

Hiii guys, I know I'm too lazy to update my stuff lol but anyway documentation has its importance... so here am I sitting in front of my laptop trying to input information and wrapping up 2016 =w=.... (and this time coming in with clearer photos too =w=....

Often times when I'm writing my blog I do get into thinking what size should I have my pictures in... But I'm gonna put X-Large for all because they are awesome at the moment XDD To refresh your memory of what am I doing for this project you can go back to my previous post

------> Loving Intimacy-Part One

The Nightingales

Oil on Canvas

160cm x 160cm

2016

One of my breakthrough for this year is making larger canvas work, but I guess none will be larger next year haha

The Nightingales II

172.72cm x 121.92cm

Oil on Canvas

2016

At first I only planned to paint 3 paintings but I had enough time on hand so I just dip back into this that I hold back initially. After my assessment I received comments from judge about this painting saying that the focus on those feet were overtaking the atmosphere, I totally agree but I can't help it tho I did try very hard to make the face at their best [; w ;] I need more practice orz, time to time I still find myself having the habit of drawing manga-ish faces on my works ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh*继续趴地* not giving up in venturing them into realistic proportion tho

Beneath the Blossoms

152.4cm x 101.6cm

Oil on Canvas

2016

Had a lot of struggle for this pink ones too, trying to figure out how to create a "real" space is toughhhhh. Comment for myself: Not the best but good try (; w ; )((((

Yellow Gaze

120cm x 180cm

Oil on Canvas

2016

I do particularly like this one quite a lot probably releasing myself and indulging in texture is really fun ... XD I don't want to analyse myself right now but I could if I want to lol. I do tend to moving onto explore how to create things better for my own sake, don't want to explain things too complicated here in my blog I might overshoot with all sorts of talks qwq"

Progression                                                                                                                                

**Unfortunately I didn't took a lot photos for the last painting orz**

Only for the first painting " The Nightingales" I use the 'most used' method (for me) to start with, which is drawing the grid and measuring those squares but I still find myself manage to go out of shape QwQ" anyway afterwards I decide to painting directly lol, because I want to fake myself like a master hahhahaha((((硬不要脸

Closeup (((I try my best to adjust the color and lighting                                                                               

Close up of The Nightingale: perhaps my view for love was intense so the borders of almost everything in this are so bold 3_3

Close up details of The Nightingales II compare to the previous ones a lot of the prints were much more looser 

Love this hand so much UGHHHH (although part of it was a bit off)

The figures in this painting are rather flat, I don't know why I'm doing it I just know I'm doing it qwq, but I would put it as it's a another kind of experience in managing different sort of surface?   :O

I'm kinda drooling over the texture I did for this painting, guess I'm really into these currently

finally some clear faces showing ~~~ lalala~~~

more close up~~~

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Honestly tho this series has more emotional stuff than deep thought or meanings, I'm too lazy to bother with those...meh.... Saw a post recently that can be a little sarcastic but true lol, it shows two panel with A asking B how to achieve a happy life. Bother less is the answer hahhaha I do find myself struggling too much with being too serious with what other people says for a whole lot of time ( can't help when that's the way you were brought up! D:) Anyway I do eventually did find myself growing towards "whatever you say lol" mindset , but the downside is you might end up pretty lonely orz But that's fine.... cause I'm too lazy to bother with too many people's issue ( as long as my best friends are still alive QwQ"

Thanks for reading!  :B

Loving Intimacy- Part One

I know I went for further studies quite sneakily, ... yes, I'm currently studying in Otago Polytechnic, in Dunedin. A town where I never made research before going there probably my sixth sense has been telling me people here are kind and nice, haha. XD 

I don't usually make introductions like this, but I'm keen to talk more about this place because it's awesome. First of all, it only takes 1 year to get a BA (Honours), if you don't fail lol. Although I don't know how they select students and how the programmes are being offer but I think having a good portfolio is crucial. 

I used to fantasize art schools in western countries are huge etc, however the size of Dunedin School of Art is likely double or triple the size of Dasein Academy of Arts. The differences is they don't have graphic design, mass communication etc department. The whole building section are visual/ fine arts departments: painting, print(making), textiles, jewellery, sculpture, photography and electronic arts.  

The programme I'm doing has no classes, there will be weekly seminars and workshops that you have to attend and meet up with writing and studio supervisor constantly. They will place you with an individual studio supervisor depending on your major work of the portfolio you submit for the application. For example I'm doing painting so I have a painting department lecturer to supervise me, although I am interested in textile but I guess I will save that as an interest for the time being.

As usual I work from reading stories, literature as such, I don't really know what I wanted to do until I settle down and thought of a very mysterious story book that is a little 18+ rated. It's a selected collection published by Penguins called" Unlikely Tales of Love", which they originates from a 14th century Italian famous literature, " The Decameron". It's about 10 young people telling stories for 10 days continuously and most of the stories were love stories, all sorts that relates to love, at least. [something like how a handsome gardener xxx with 9 nuns = . =; some pervert priest xxx a girl by telling his dick is devil and her vagina is hell, so they had it]

To be honest they are amusing but too overwheelming for me to express what I expect myself to do hahahahha

Anyway, here's my first painting.

The Nightingale
2016
Oil on Canvas
150cm x 150cm

The photo is a bit low quality because it's hard to get the right lights from the surrounding :/
It has been a hard time for me to wake up too when the day only gets brighter around 8-9am, how I only notice I need the sun to wake up at 7am..

I gain new experience in preparing canvas and oil mediums as well but it seems the controlling of it with the colors still need to be fix. @@

When I gave up and took photo of me and my painting instead, with timer on. lol

I would say somehow the painting looks better in this photo lol

This is from a story about a couple sneakily get together and end up in naked posture of:

“her hand holding that part of his person which in mixed company you ladies are too embarrassed to mention.”

In my own preference, the way it's being told is so hilarious! ...it's ok if you don't find so... Anyway my first thought it's that I have to make something of this scene. So I did.

Initial sketch for the pose.

Another sketch based on this scene in referring to Hernri Toulouse " In Bed"

•   Following the concept for second painting are the mysterious kisses behind plants.

Initial Sketch

2nd sketch: After discussing with lecturer about the usage of elements, and a sequence of an experience at Dunedin Chinese Garden I recall all the lovely plants I love in my native country. ( Pink Tecoma, Yellow Poinciana and the Red Ixora) This sketch look super 'fantasy'. HAHA

 

Sketch done upon mood.

Another 'mood' sketch lol

Finalize sketch for the painting.

 ... and the third concept is the gaze that happens between 2 person. The chemical reaction lol.

I'm a little obsess with melancholy softness of beautiful photography that inspire me for this sketch.

At first I was thinking should I do 2 painting for 3rd concept...

 

But in the end after struggling I decide to put them together...内心OS: 我的新欢

There's still a lot to share but so far I think this is a very long post... so I'm not gonna say too much. Thanks for all the lovely models who posed for my painting and my supervisors guidence throughout the whole progress too XOOO! Till next time! 

Thanks for reading, comments are welcome!