My Wash and Color for Portrait

Hi, Friends, did you enjoy a weekend?This week, I'll chat over how to move on to a loose style from a stiff style, particularly, focusing on "my" wash and colour for portraits.
Below, I sketched the speaker at an exhibtion opening ceremony, while I was standing. The quicker, the better---for me.
I originally, came from quite a traditional watercolour style(See below). But a stiff style bored me and I tried a loose style. So, I totally understand others struggling to seek fresh and liquid expressions.In order to loosen up work, "value study" and "very accurate drawing skills" are the key. Mono tone painting is a good practice to check values. Below, the gig player was in a strong red light at a pub. Very good study of value. We enjoyed music and my work. I always prefer life models. Don't be shy. Just keep sketching at anywhere and anytime. I sketched the lady enjoying holidays at a pub. We enjoyed a chat together. Cerulean blue was added at a studio. Changing an angle is important, which builds 3D image. OK, lets' move on to my current painting process and colours. It could be different from yours. If you could pick up anything useful, I'm very happy.
Materials
1) Paper : Arche, 300, smooth2) Pencil : Soft. 5B or bigger number
3) Brush : #12, (hardly use others)
4) Paints : Winsor Newton or Holbein. Very limited palette.
Raw sienna, Burnt sienna, Composed Green, Winsor Newton Yellow, Cadmium Orange, Permanent Rose, Antwerp Blue.SettingUpright paper. Get on work at once. Make work in rush.
Painting Process
1) Start with middle value or dark area.
2) Leave highlight blank
...if I get any image for background, put colour at this stage
or make background later.
3) Enhance the darkest area = Make contrast more
4) Check balance in value & colourControl of water is the pivot point for my style.
There's no magic, but practice.
In addition, sadly quick watercolour work is underestimated and put a low price at demonstration. Please consider, the work is a fruit of incessant practices for "years."
Be original and unique in a style.Happy Painting!

My Wash and Color for Portrait

Odditorium:Imagination & Creativity are Our Wings

This week, I'd take you to the very funny exhibition, "Odditorium". Before it, become a kid again?! (below, young Sadami?!) "Odditorium" displays hilarious and mysterious objects. Originally, objects were designed for right purposes. But primary school children and an Australian great picture book illustrator Shaun Tan have created funny tags for objects and turned them into laughable archiological bits & pieces. (*Can you guess what was used for?The actuall use will be at the end of this post! )

OK, some examples for you.
First, painful dental devices. According to Shaun, this is "The Replica Horse Teeth from Society of Dental Surgeons, London." Priopr to the 1700s, it is true that barbers did both haircut and surgery. But I've never heard that barbers learnt "dental" surgery with this replica (How did they learn sugery for humans with these odd replicas?! ) Another, at right hand, is, according to Ryan, 9yrs Stammore Public School pupil, "The Toother Outer." Ryan says the device actually won the first prize at the international odd competition in 1944 and a dentist started using it to pull out teeth. Ohhhh!!! Ouch!!


There we go! Second, jolly and playful objects or two balls.
Oh, my! This little ball is"elephant's wee. " According to Augustine aged 9, the brilliant treat for tea like cake!! Especially, an elephant or a cow wee fed on mango leaves tastes delicious?? ....gulp...Another, above, Shaun claims, "Bullock Hair Ball for Riot Control," substituted for iron cannonballs in the Middle Ages. Hey, how come these cannonballes opressed the public or Gov power abuse tools?!

Last, tadadada~~~, very sexy "Giant Griffin"!
Shaun asserts, Australian Bonza Motors made this hilariously huge Griffin as a "car hood ornament" for FJ "You-Lilttle-Beauity," when Bonza competed with US Crysler in 1948. Unfortunately, what a shame! Bonza Morters dissmissed the designer and chucked his plan into a bin.
Wow, I saw such a gramous griffin for the first time.Did you have a laugh? The exhibition has more objects.
Actually...
*It was a dental teaching aid.
*The object originally was a door knocker.
*Yes, it was really an elephant or a cow's wee, but used for dying on fabrics.
* Ooops, I missed out recording the actual use. Sorry!
*The female Griffin once was the guard of the entrance of Kings Cross Theatre.The narrative tags show primary school children's wonderful creativity and Shaun's brilliant sense of humour. They are our legends!!

Can you remember your young days? How much you enjoyed making up stories with just pebbles, a piece of stick, or ordinary things? How proudly you invented unique stuff that grown-ups would never get? "Creativity" and "imagination" are the wings that enable human beings to fly across a sky! Joy must come first. That's the spirit of painting and drawing, too. There's no secret to learn drawing and painting, but the power of imagination and creativity. I believe if you can go back to a child, you can draw!
So, pick up whatever the media at your hand and just have fun!
Happy painting!!

Finally, I'd really appreciate the courtesy of the Powerhouse Museum and Parramatta Heritage Centre's kind assistance to sketch the objects.

Odditorium:Imagination & Creativity are Our Wings

Children, Our Future : Invited For BookFestival

Hi, did you have a wonderful weekend?
I had a good time despite in cold rainy days. Just before rain, I sketched a baby enjoying a swing with Dad. 

Now, I'm invited for the Bookfest again! Great honour.
This NON PROFIT event has been running for 19years. Invited authors and illustrators will attend and donate their time.

BOOKFEAST 2011!!

Lunch with your readers

WHEN: Thursday 15th Sept 2011

WHERE: 96 Shaftesbury Rd, Burwood NSW 2134

TIME: 11:00am - 2:30pm

In the event, children from all over Sydney will enjoy lunch with writers and illustrators. For kids, we are their super heros (*I certainly feel my responsibility as an illustrator and artist!).

 The real aim of Book Festival is to promote literacy, education and awareness of Australian literature. The Bookfeast provides the space and creative opportunity for young people to come face to face with writers and illustrators, gaining an insight into their practice and also the world of writing. Last year, I really enjoyed the time with children(below).*I'll put on the fool's cap and that colourful shirt again! Hehehe!!!I heartly hope some of young students will remember that day and my message, "Love & Hope," and get through a tough time in the future.

The "domestic violence and child abuse" psychology unit at uni taught me how precious and important our childhood is. Young days' experiences serioudly impact on personalities, self-esteem and behaviours.
Regarding self-esteem, I cannot judge which children do better or not at school and in a community. A competitive society puts terrible pressures on young people to get high scores, because society tends to focus on "good results or winners." Hermann Hesse's "Beneath the Wheel" shows an old and new theme.Each individual is different and so precious. I never, ever want to see any child suffers in a winner-centralized value.
So, I always come back to this point, "who I am" and will be "who I can be most." I encourage any child to enjoy whatever they like fully. All children deserve to be happy and should have confidence in themselves. Each of us has something shining or a talent like a mine. It takes time to find an ability. But also, our ordinary daily stuff such as just walking, cooking, etc, etc, are, in fact, miracles and amazing abilities. Unfortunately, most people will never realize it untill they loose abilities. This year, I'll happily talk of my disabled leg to the children at a table. I'd cheer up all children to pursue their dreams and be what they are the most.

If picture book illustrators or writers are interested in this BookFestival, or would like more information, please contact: Mr Michael Fraser
Teacher librarian
Haberfield Public School
Tel: (02) 9798 8767
Children are our future and hope.
Let us work and bequeath a better world for them.
Happy painting!!

PS
A dog shop keeper happily invites me to sketch more! I love doggies!

Children, Our Future : Invited For BookFestival

Doug Moran 2011, World Richest Portrait Prize

I enjoyed Doug Moran Pize Free Exhibition 2011 at NSW State Library(21st April - 26th June) last Saturday.Moran is the world's richest portrait and photographic prizes. $150,000 for the best work.

The portrait winner is Vincent Fantauzzo, "Baz Lurhmann 'off screen.'" Vincent often becomes a finalist at Archibald, too.There is no watercolour work in.
Regarding a size, some works were quite small, which made me, a watercolourist very comfortable. It implies room for watercolours to compete with other media. Some finalists showed a traditional style and realism, which encouraged me so much.Indeed, the winner, Vincent's style is based on realism. It has cheered me up so much. I could not get what sort of media he uses. If anyone knows his media, please let me know it in comments.Unlike Archibold 2011 (below), not many visitors were at the library. Rather quiet. Or I might visit there after a busy time. Already, when I posted on my thoughts about Archibold, many blog friends encouraged me to be what I am(*thanks millions, everyone!). I'll keep my own watercolour style for competitions. The first uploaded baby's work is my style.

But I will keep learning, while I maintain my identity.
Copying interesting works always teaches me lots. Above, the winner's composition and colour use was very fascinating. Of course, their techniques are different from watercolour. Yet I learned a lot and feel the "unlimited" potential in watercolour techniques. Particularly, I want to explore wash and brush strokes more. Apart from technical stuff, fine artists are "bounty hunters." We try to shoot a "competition prize" in order to earn money. Not easy. Laughs and tears are in one.
Often my dear artists friends and I have kidding,
"Are you still on the earth?"
"My transaction has only few cents."
Gulp?!
Nice friends are the most assets. We exchange information on competitions and back up each other. You're one of them.

Hopefully, this blog will never stop suddenly! Hahahaha?!
I'd keep up this blog till the end of my life and share joy with you, Friends!! Today, I sketched a cute baby at a market. Children's portraits are my most favorite.
Happy painting.

Doug Moran 2011, World Richest Portrait Prize

Victoria Cancer Council Art Awards & Encounter Myself

Hi, Friends, how have you been at a weekend?Yesterday, I made a self-portrait to meet "what I am." I kept laughing, facing a mirror! Ahahahaha! I couldn't stop it!! Because very happy and fun!I challenged A2. Technically, A2 is huge and pretty hard to control wash. Need more practice to get used to it. My artists frineds are looking forward to an outcome work ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ .

Good news!

With your cheers, I was selected for Victoria Cancer Council Arts Awards 2011 as well as 2010. (*The 2011 Gallery website is constructed NOW. Please check it later. Winner announcement is on 10th July. ) Selected entries--if artists agree---will be on sale for fundraising as well.

Dreaming in Chemo $750
(Metal frame. Double Mat)

Very happy. I have the same treatment with cancer and leukemia patients, even though I do not have either of them. The hospital staff celebrated the good news. If you know cancer patients, family, carers, friends etc, etc, please pass this information.
Anyone can try the Awards, who is involved with cancer directly or indirectly. The real aim of the Awards is to lift up anyone touched by cancer. The Victoria Cancer Council's hard work has paid off. The benefits of Arts Awards have been well and widely recognised at The Ability Media International Awards 2010 for its creative excellence and social relevance.
Regarding my disability in the leg, the idiopathic chronic condition motivated me to explore who I am.
Lots of psychology books reading (*ended up philosophy) at uni and after uni on identity, life, death and love. The reading helped my psychological growing or maturing at the tough time. The most important finding is how to love myself properly and love others as well.

My on-going maturing is
know who/what I was/have been,
encounter "who I am"
...and becoming "what I will be most."

The very interesting experience! Are we really happy with being ourselves? If not, why and which element? I dug it deep and met a distorted self and examined my value system. Then, I understood why and could accept "who I have been."
Further, a fascinating experience is a shift begins in me that goes through the past, the present and to the future. I've found the meaning of my life in art and being convinced.

I've started loving myself properly. It means I can love others, too in a proper manner. Then, liberation. I chose to be an artist. I enjoy life fully and expect a good future, whatever the situations are/will be. Neither jealous of others nor wrongly proud of myself. Celebrate my even tiny achievements and happily applause others' great work, too.

Does my poor English make sense above?
I cannot tell them well, but that is a very profound truth(many famous psychologists are philosophers).The violets from a dear friend are blooming out now.
Under a heaven, there's a season. My time for thinking and reading was over. Take an action, create art work, love myself and others---is my season. When I make portraits, everyone is so precious and unique. When I sketch something, everything is shining and beautiful. Of course, so you are, Friends!!
I deeply appreciate the encounter with you on net and on the earth.
Let us move on and live life fully!
Happy painting!

Victoria Cancer Council Art Awards & Encounter Myself

Great Fun! Sketching at Luna Park Under Sydney Harbour Bridge Opposite to Opera House

On Sunday, I enjoyed an event, ArtAlong as an invited artist by North Sydney Council. Actually, Sydney Sketch Club members also joined it. There, people can enjoy watching local artists working on paintings on a pavement. The event(9am-3pm) is a painting competition at
the same time.

I set up a stall just at famous Luna Park entrance, a children's heaven.
But I did not see other artists around me. It puzzled me and I realized all other artists wanted to paint "landscapes" for the competition.I enjoyed quick watercolour "portraits." Well, men and boys would not sit for me. Mmmm....they might be much shyer than us?! Only girls and women cooperated me. GIRLS POWER! Thank you all the models and ladys.

People showed a great interest in my sketching. My idea to display original and copied works on "boards" worked out very well.Passerbys often looked at my other works and picked up business cards. We really enjoyed lots of chats. Some friends came to see me. Later, the staff told me that my stall became quite popular among watchers and tourists. I was too busy to realize it and could not have a look of other artists working.

I often enjoyed a chat too much and might be a bit distracted.
BUT the point was to communicate people there. I do not need to make a masterpiece everytime or all the time.Making portraits is a very intimate human interaction between a model and an artist. Indeed, each model and I had a long chat. Usually, I make a quick sketch in 15 or 20 minutes, even in a train cart, I do it (this blog readers well know it). Today, I was a bit slow for watercolour.
Only the problem was...we, human beings cannot keep a laugh or a smile for minutes = we turn to be serious soon!The conversations were very interesting. Each model gave me their life stories, which I felt my priviledge as an artist to share a model's inner world.With one lady, we chatted over when & who & what is the most important. I quoted Tolstoy, "Three Questions." The answers are, "Now," "A person whom I'm with," "Do good a person whom I'm with." The answers always remind me of a Japanese tea ceremony. It has philosophy that "Do your best to a guest at a ceremony, because we may not see again on the earth."

When I sketch people...I feel the same above.
Of course, I had a great fun today, but also these sketches are my prayers. I hope I will keep on and learn lots.Finally, special thanks to Jennifer, our guardian angel of the Sketch Club, who took all these photos and other members' as well.
Friends, Happy Painting & Have a Nice Week!!

Great Fun! Sketching at Luna Park Under Sydney Harbour Bridge Opposite to Opera House

Develop Sketch to Illustration ; 3D Perception of Subject

This week, I'll show an illustration developed from daily sketches.
This is an example of my daily sketch. I sketched a girl watching a magic on a stage at the wine festival. Daddy loved it so much! I keep these references in stock and in files. Below, "Poor Shoe Shining Boy" is created from sketches or references. It is designed for a picture book use.In the finished illustration above, the two people have distinct characters. I set a young boy in trouble and an old man is a complainer. The setting is in public apathy. A sub character, the boy's royal friend, a dog is patiently and anxiously sitting beside the boy. A red is chosen for a carpet that implies the powerful and rich....and an arrogant hegemonic identity.
It's fun to check how an illustrator sets a mood.

Below, the work was just before finishing.
Shadows and values are checked and enhanced. Eventually, I put slight colours on passer-bys.
Compare the original, "Black & White drawings" made two or three years ago. You find two people do not have specific characters. The sketch has neither settings, body language nor symbolic meanings in colours/devices. They are just plain sketches. 
Picture book illustration requires great techniques.

Apart from picture book illustration skills, how do you sketch a subject? Often people ask me, "Isn't it difficult to sketch moving kids(or subjects)?"
No. But I've wondered why I can draw moving subjects and why I can capture subjects freshly in watercolour.
Then, I've realized the key for successful sketching and drawing.

The tips is "3D understanding of a subject." Sketching reveals my 3D perception of a subject. Even though a sketch is from one angle, in fact, I seize a subject as a mass. So, I can capture moving figures and put values correctly.Because already, I've sketched an object from different angles for many times in the past, with memories, I understand an object in front of me. Interaction emerges between an object and me. Very intimate relation. Then, a current object turns out to be "my subject," not a simple object any more.

Sometimes, I intentionally CHANGE an angle on paper, remaining at a same position. I practice it and enjoy sketching a subject in different angles from a same spot. Yes, with it, I check my understanding of the subject. If I know the subject well, I can draw it from a different side without looking it physically. It's fun, later, to check the drawing from an expected direction. See below. In addition, a photo reference often fails to show correct 3D visual information. Experienced artists compensate accurate images for distorted ones. Very interesting to observe how elegantly trained artists rebuild visual information from one simple photo.
The 3D understanding is critical for me to develop sketches into illustrations. especially, in a story board and at a stage of "rough."

Anyway, Friends, let us enjoy drawing and painting!
Have a wonderful week!

Develop Sketch to Illustration ; 3D Perception of Subject