“Pictorial Presentation" --- Sold

Click Here to Bid

You have witnessed the evolution of my still life painting with Chinese characters. I feel satisfied with my today's painting. The character and the still life setup are combined more naturally. The character in this painting means "a picture". So I put it in a format of a painting scroll. I feel happy about the subtle value and color changes in the background. Even this painting is only 5" x 7", but it gives the impression of a large painting. As a matter of fact, I will do some large paintings with this scheme. With my recent painting practice, I feel I have gained more freedom. Now I can go beyond alla prima, and I am not restricted by the physical setups in my shadow box. I like to create a mood. I like David Leffel's work. Every one of his painting shows a mood. I want to be there too.

"Rhythm of the Shadow" --- Sold

Click Here to Bid

The character in my today's painting means "Shadow". I enjoyed painting the circular shadow casted on the apple. I have been thinking about this new approach of still life painting. There are many possibilities waiting for me to explore. Currently, I keep the design simple, so I can concentrate on the effect of background colors. The background of the today's painting is color I use very often: ultramarine blue plus cadmium orange.

"Let it be Color" --- Sold

Click Here to Bid

I kind of like my recent still life by adding a Chinese character. So I want to explore this approach even more. The character in my today's painting means "color". A plateful of peppers with various colors matches this meaning. This new approach makes me pay more attentions to the execution methodology  of a painting, which I don't know much about. When I did my "light" painting, I really had a hard time painting wet-on-wet for the character and background. The character needs high accuracy to maintain its calligraphic beauty and the background needs to be uniform. So wet-on-wet is not a good way to do it. For today's painting, I used acrylic for the background. It dried about 30 minutes, then I painted the character on top. I also learned from doing this painting that dark colors needs a relatively large area to show its value. I used burnt umber plus a touch of white for the background. Its value is around "3" in a 10 scale value range. When I started, it looks black to me in contrast to the white painting board. After I covered the board and wrote the character on it. The background looked significantly lighter. It seemed I got my pupils dilated. On this background, my colors for the peppers are so bright. I used almost all out-of-tube colors for them. This painting is an eye opener for me, literally.

"Santa in August"

Click Here to Bid

My AAU training is over, but I don't want my painting figure and portrait to cool down. I got my first opportunity last night. I went to our local Gemini Art School and painted this wonderful model. He came with his shining bike. His white beard made him an ideal Santa Claus. I was so happy seeing several my old painting buddies and meet a couple of new friends.

“Let it be Light" --- Sold

Click Here to Bid

I have been back to Austin for several days. Two months of AAU and life in San Francisco have enriched my artistic ideas. I have been thinking constantly what I should do next. Should I continue on figurative and portraiture, or keep doing my still lives? Should I do large or go small? .... and many more questions. I felt I have arrived on a top of one mountain. Now I see whole range of mountains in front of me. I am in ow with the grand view in front of me, and also lost the track where I should go next.

Today I decided to do a still life, but it is deviated from that I used to do. I want to include a Chinese character into my painting so both East and West culture can go together. The character in my today's painting means "Light", written in the "Kai" style of Chinese calligraphy. Light is the only thing I paint. Light is also my research field when I was an engineer. Many people wonder how come I like both art and physics, which are totally opposite. But the fact is that I only work on Light, it doesn't matter the light is presented with oil pigments or mathematic equations.  In the Bible, Light is the first thing God created. So let it be Light. Hope the Light is showing in my paintings, and yours too.

"Almost Academically Trained"

Today I want share a photo of me painting at the Fine Art Studio of AAU, and document this extremely significant summer. The photo was taken by an AAU professor Oliver Sin. I almost look like an academically trained artist. I really like this studio. Many years ago, this place was a parking garage. It is very spacious with large north light windows. I like its primitive and industrial look. The floor is full of paint stains. We throw our dirty paper towels directly on the floor, and we don't use trash cans or bags. The air is full of oder of turps and other media. However, Zhaoming has created most of his marvelous figuratives here with dramatic lighting and delicate skin tones. The location was two blocks away from the famous Fisherman's Wharf. The cable cars are passing right under those large windows, full of tourists enjoying the beauty of SF been done many many years ago. I feel I am also a tourist, but the difference is that I am inside the building, enjoying the beauty being created right at this very moment.

"AAU Figure Painting Final Project (Day 5)"

Today is my last day at AAU. The summer semester is over. I have learned a lot from Zhaoming in this short seven and half weeks. I really enjoyed this short semester. I made quite a few new friends. I start to miss them already. Now my dream have come true. You will will see more of my figure and portrait work in the future. My today's image is my final project after 5 days of hard work. I don't know if I call it finished, but it is a major milestone on my art journey. Now I can include figure painting in my portfolio. I  have enjoyed San Francisco very much I wish I had more time blogging what I experienced and saw in this beautiful city. I will be back to Texas this Friday. I can't wait to see Song and Jonathan. Thank you for monitoring my art learning process, and I will keep you posted for my future activities.

"AAU Figure Painting 5 (Day 4)"

It was Day 4 on this painting. I did the hand pretty much from my imagination, and spent sometime on the background and the drapery. I don't think I will do the face so to keep the painting semi abstract. I have exhausted what I can do on this painting. I will see what Zhaoming wants me to do on Day  5.

"AAU Figure Painting Final Project (Day 3)"

I never thought that painting a large painting takes so much time and energy. I am still moving but very tired. I want to apologize to many people who expecting my emails dealing with future workshop arrangement and other art business issues. Please give me some time and I will write to you. I want to thank all the friend commented on my recent figure work.

This image is my final project on day 3. I have learned a hard lesson. It is very hard to add a head after you have painted the body first. I have to re-do the face a least three time trying to match the body. I have measured the face with very very very high precision. If you draw or paint figures, you may have the experience that if you do the head first and body second, very often you will find that the location of the feet vary in a very large range. If you are not careful, the feet can go off the page very easily. On the other hand if you painted body first, you will see that a tiny movement on the eyes or nose will cause figure going out of proportion. Anyway, the painting is progressing ok so far. I will try my best to finish it this weekend.

"AAU Figure Painting 5 (Day 3)"

This is my 3rd day on this figure painting from life. I did more colors and details, but I don't see much of progress. I have two more days to go on this project. To be honest with you, I don't feel very enthusiastic about the model. I wish I were Lucian Freud. But I am not. I still try to find beauty and share it with you. Well this one is really a challenge to me. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

"AAU Figure Painting Final Project (Day 1)"

Time flies! One and half week from now, I will end my AAU journey for this summer. For the Figure class, I need to do my final project. This is again 30" x 40". The painting is from a reference photo. I started yesterday and worked whole day. This is what I got so far. I have spent most my time in the drawing stage to get the proportion, placement, and composition. Then I worked on the value with a monochromatic approach. Now the painting is just entered the third stage, which is color design. I got the shadow on the torso cooler and reflection on the leg warmer. The painting still has a monochromatic feel, but I am going work more today to show some color.

"AAU Figure Painting 5 (Day 2)"

The second day on this major painting project, I started modeling the figure. I tried my best not to get trapped in details so I have the freedom in adjusting my drawing. I have spent most my time dealing with the foreshortening of the legs. I made a large amount of adjustment in value to show the depth. Compared with my other second day paintings, I felt good about the progress. I think I am on the right track and looking forward to the Day 3.

"AAU Figure Painting 5 (Day 1)"

I am back to SF this morning around 1:00 AM. After a short sleep I went to my figure class. I started a new painting. This one is 30" x 40". It is the largest painting I have ever done. We will spend 5 days on it. I am deadly tired now. I really need to capture some more sleep. Bye now.

"Demo at Newport 2012 2" --- Sold

This is my second demo painting. Painting flowers is my main scheme for this demo, but I really like the rusty pot I did. Newport is very beautiful today. After the workshop, we went to the beach. I had lobster rolls for dinner. Man! Life is so good.

"Demo at Newport 2012 1" --- Sold

Yesterday I have arrived at the beautiful Newport, Rhode Island, and I have started my second workshop in New England this morning. The workshop is organized by Libby Gilpatric in her Brimstone Studio. Thank you Libby for putting this workshop together and thank you all the artists for attending. This is my first demo. In the middle there is a plastic glass. It introduced such interesting texture to the painting. I really enjoyed painting it.

"Demo at Marshfield 2012 3"

I did an additional demo to the workshop today. Upon request, I did this portrait from a photo I took a while ago in Austin. I don't have much of experience demo portrait painting in front of many people. I think it is only the second time. I might need a little more time to do some final adjustment, but I think I did OK.

The workshop is over. Thank you again to all the artists attended. I will take a couple of day break before my next event. I will visit Museum of Fine Art in Boston tomorrow. 


BTW, I mentioned Steve Carell yesterday. He is a famous movie star. If you don't know him like me, please check : Steve Carell.

"Demo at Marshfield 2" --- Sold

This is the second demo I did. It is the first time I painted gold. I consider to name this painting "Gold and Time". I am really having a good time here. I have learned a lot too.

Yesterday morning, My friend Julie and I was on our way to the workshop location. We passed a couple walking their dog under the cozy morning sun. Julie whispered to me: "Oh, my goodness, that man is Steve Carell!". I didn't have any reaction, and asked: "Who is Steve Carell?"

"Demo at Marshfield 2012 1" --- Sold

My life is so dramatic. I was just settled at the coast of the Pacific, but now I at coast of Atlantic. Today is the first day of teaching a workshop at Marshfield MA. I want thank Julie Ulher, Laura Harvey and North River Arts Society of organizing this workshop. I feel very happy meeting this group of wonderful New England artists. Thank you all so much for attending. This is the first demonstration I did. Marshfield is a cozy small town south of Boston. You would love the lobsters here.

"AAU Figure Painting 4 (Day 1)"

Shhhhhhhh! Please do not tell Zhaoming and AAU that I am running away from school. In a couple of hours I will be on the plane to the east coast. Now, I am pretty tired on painting figure. I want to go back to what I feel comfortable with......Ha Ha I am just kidding.

Well. I am not completely kidding. I will teach two workshop next week in New England, and will be back to San Francisco after that. I will miss a week of class. Well my study at AAU is not perfect, but I feel very satisfied with what I got.

Today we started a new figure painting. It was planned as a 3-day project, but I only have today to do it. This is what I got so far. I may work from photo after I come back.

"AAU Figure Painting 3 (Day 3)"

On the third day of this figure painting, I worked on the edges and color. Zhaoming talked about skin tones. If you want to make her complexion look pail, you put cool colors in the area between light mid tone and the core shadow. It worked well. I made the background a little warmer. I did not paint her face much because I'd like to have her shoulder and knee as focus centers. This painting is done. It is not bad, but I need more drama. I hope my next one will be better.

"Three AAU Props"

Click Here to Bid

After I finished my figure homework yesterday, I still have some time. So I did this small still life. Oh boy! from a 24" x 36" to a 5" x 7", the downsizing is so dramatic. I almost forgot how to paint small paintings. The fine art department of AAU has a quite good collection of props. Paint this painting felt like tasting a gourmet food. It was so delicious.

"AAU Figure Painting Homework 1 (Day 5)"

This is the 5th day I have worked on this 24" x 36". I got pretty sick of it now. My hand and mind are all being tied up. The progress is so minimal. I don't think I can get everything I want from a single painting, so I am going to call it done. In general I felt OK with the proportion, anatomy, form, value, and unity. I have exhausted my energy to deal with edges, color, designs, and paint works. I am going to turn this painting in as my first homework. On Zhaoming's figure class, we only have two homework assignments. This one and the final project. Even though this painting made me working really hard, but I am very happy I have achieved this major milestone in my art career.

This morning I walked to the studio (I usually take school shuttle or Muni). I climbed the steep Jones Street. After I got on the top of hill and panting, I saw the beautiful scene of the Fisherman's Wharf and the ocean. Similarly in my art journey, AAU is one of the hilltops. Before I got there I saw it is my destination. The road ends there. But now, I am arrived at this hilltop. I see the road is keeping going and leads me to another destination. Here at AAU, my painting is very mediocre, I have met a few very talented young artists. I will introduce their work to you when I get a chance.

"AAU Figure Painting 3 (Day 2)"

Today, I worked on this figure painting from life. It is the second day on this one. I don't have enough experience of doing a painting more than one day. All my previous two figure paintings were not very successful. On the second day, I worked on modeling the details. The hardest part was painting the shadow side. I don't want to show too much, but I can't leave it out. I am happy with this one because I have seen progress. When I did my first multi-day figure painting, the painting got worse on the second day. For my second figure painting, the second day work didn't make too much difference than that of the first day. For this painting (the third one), it looks better on the second day. I have one more day working on this painting. I hope I will not ruin it.

"Head Study 070512"

I did this head study from a photo I took today.

Quite a few friends commented that I should talk more detail what I have learned at AAU. I will try my best to do that. The first thing I have learned from Zhaoming's class is the relationship between unity and details. For instance with this head study, before I model the details of the eyes, nose, mouth, and ear, I need to make sure the value are unified to convey the general egg shape of the head. In the light part, The forehead is the brightest, then cheek is a little dimmer, the area above the lips should be even dimmer, and the light area of the chin is much much dimmer. All these value relationships makes the head look solid. Many time when we paint details, we tend to pay attention only on the value difference in a small area and ignore the unity of the entire painting. So the head look flat. This principle applies not only to portrait and figure painting, it applies to all genres.

"AAU Figure Painting 3 (Day 1)"

Today, I have started a new figure painting. It will take 3 days to finish. This image shows what I got so far. The color of painting becomes more important now. I feel more confident in dealing with proportion, anatomy, and modeling. Painting large is no longer a problem. Gradually, I will be able to pay more attention to edges, composition, paint quality, and details. The progress is noticeable.

"AAU Figure Painting 2 (Day 2)"

I have been working on this painting whole day yesterday. It wasn't as smooth as the first day. I spent many hours on the leg in the front. It was soooo hard. I was painting something that I don't want people to see, but I can't simply remove it. That foot in dark is the most difficult part of the whole painting. I think the experience is more important than the painting.

"Daisies at Carmel" --- Sold

Click Here to Bid

Seeing so many figures and portraits I did at AAU, I don't know if you miss my small daily still lives. But I do. I did this small 5" x 7" after my figure class today. Last Sunday, when I was with Fongwei Liu, we went to Carmel for a day trip. We visited several galleries. We had our lunch at a small restaurant, and I saw a beautiful flower arrangement on the table. I snapped a couple of photos with my phone. The waitress gave me a weird look, but that is all right to me.

"AAU Figure Painting Homework 1 (Day 1)"

Today is Wednesday, and I don't have any class. I went to the studio anyway because I have homework to do. For the figure painting class we need to paint two large paintings from photos we take . This is the largest figure painting I have ever done. The size is 24" x 36". It felt very different from doing 5" x 7", which I do most of the time before. I used a projector projecting my photo on the wall so I could measure. The pose was rather standard, so I didn't have much of problem getting the proportion and anatomy correctly. Then I practiced my recently obtained modeling skills making the 3D form. I painted 7 hours today. I maybe at the half way point now. I will finish this homework over the weekend.

"AAU Figure Painting 2 (Day 1)"

Today is the figure painting day. We started a new painting. Since the failure of my previous figure work, I was a little apprehensive at the beginning. But it turns out rather smooth. I have learned that the brushes I use for the early work were too small. For this painting I used brushes about 2" wide. They are the cheap house painting brushes. You can get a dozen of them for $2 at the Home Depot. Similar to the portrait I did yesterday, I concentrated on modeling. This is a relatively new skill for me. When I do still lives, I don't model seriously, because the objects I paint are much simpler. I was concentrated on light distribution and how to achieve painterly effects. But figure is so subtle and there is no room for mistakes. Zhaoming is a wonderful teacher. He sees things I can't, and give me tips working like a charm. I am so happy to see the progress.

My 2013 Workshop Schedule

I have placed my 2013 workshop schedule on my website today. On my blog, there will be a button that is linked to my workshop schedule page. If you are interested in knowing my approach to oil painting, please check it out. I will be more than happy to share what I know about art with you.