And here is the finished version of the demo of Francis - the 93-year old model - super model!

It was another fun event for me! This is after the demo. Francis - the 93 year old great model, the finished portrait, and me.

Here I am painting my 2nd piece of Sunday Farmer's Market near the clock tower under a nice shade at the event.

Here at the show with the master painter, last year's best of show winner Michael Situ, and 1st place of quick draw painter Alfred Tse and Michael's beautiful painting!

Here is the finished version of "Safe Guard Station"

What a beautiful day to paint in San Clemente! I am painting my first one near the Pier looking north from the railroad crossing. Pedestrians told me that I was painting the "safe guard" station.

Such a great time doing this portrait demo of Maria Tu - the "lucky model" who was selected by raffling tickets. Thanks! Maria!

There was a great bunch to watch over my shoulder which made me very nervous about each brush stroke I laid down :) Well, it turned out to be fine, as I got the most important part done in 1 hour and 40 minutes....

During my demo, I mentioned about how I start a painting by laying/blocking in the big shape/mass using a big size #8 brush usually... keeping in mind about the most exciting part on the model and trying to bring your vision out from the beginning to the end.  My way is only one way - my way and my interpretation of the model.  It is by no means the only way.  I tried to focus on shape and value... I don't usually draw out a detailed "map" of the head and then paint in between the lines... To me that restricts me - no fun. Oil painting is an unique "culture" or "language" that we use to carry out the drama which creates a great impact on viewers. At least this is what I have envisioned....

To be continued....

Through lots and lots of figure drawing and painting practice, I feel that I have improved quite a lot in seeing the value and temperature of the colors on the human form. So, the color is no long just orange + white or red + white or yellow + white like I used to see.... They are many different colors in terms of value and temperature. It took so much practice just to be able to see them including paint the figure in just black and white... I need to keep on training myself in this area.

I can not seem to tell myself enough how important the everyday drawing practice is. I often heard from people that they could not use colors well... I think, mostly,  the real problem is the drawing. By drawing I don't necessarily mean "line drawing"... In general I mean the accurate shape, the accurate value, the accurate observation of the subject. Only through this drawing practice, shall we succeed in producing a good painting.

In painting "Bill", I think I nailed the drawing at the first 10 minutes... Only after that did I feel free in applying the colors I saw on his face.

I cherish every opportunity that I have to train my eyes in observing my subject in terms of shape, value, color, edges, etc.