Head Study

Head Study
Oil on canvas.  36cmx 46cm

After spending couple days tidying my studio, I finally begin to work on the figure again. I'll stop plein air for awhile and start over with head, portrait, half size figure until the full figure. This is the plan for these coming months. Despite the number of portrait study I did last year, I'm still struggling with it especially the skin tone. It's fascinating how the color changes because of the light. At the same time, I need to figure it out how to manipulate the light correctely. So I can transfer the image from my head to the canvas. I think it will take years to reach my goal. But, I'll be there. I know.

(Plein air) Buildings by the Harbour

Plein air painting
Oil on panel.   10 x 7 inches (25.5 x 17.5 cm)

Yes. I painted at the same spot this morning and I made sure that someone opened the door for me when I finished. I liked the green and grey rooftops of buildings but I had trouble painting the sea. I didn't paint any of boats there. I wanted to simplify the image. But, now that I'm looking at it. Maybe it isn't too bad to have one or two boats! I'll do another plein air right at this place again tomorrow. The value of green trees isn't right at all. It should be darker compared to the shadow of the building on the left hand side. Also, I'll fix the color of the sea. Its color should be a little brownish instead of dark purple. There's too much problems on this work but, somehow, I do like the grey sky and the green, grey rooftops! Hopefully, tomorrow had a same grey cloudy sky! 

(Plein air) A Cozy Corner by Harbour

Plein air painting
Oil on panel.  10 x 7 inches ( 25.5 x 17.5cm)

The place where I worked this morning had a great view that I wanted. I could see clearly the buildings that surrounded by the harbour and the ones from the Albert St.. I liked this location and I wanted to paint another one at this same spot. Well, this was a private property and I had to ask permission to go in this morning. If I had to go back, the only thing that I needed to do was that, I had to make sure they won't lock me up again like they did this morning. Thank God, there were two coast guards stopped by and chatted with me. They were very kind and got me out of this isolated place otherwise I might needed to climb the fence to get home! 

(Plein air) Red Rooftop Houses

Plein air painting
Oil on panel.  8.5 x 9.6 inches (27 x 22cm)

I began late this plein air. I actually wanted to paint the Swing Bridge again but the light wasn't right and the scene looked flat. So, here they are, the Red Rooftop Houses. They are the buildings of Spoonez Cafe where I did my last couples of harbour paintings.

(Plein air) Sunny, Raining day on Harbour

Plein air painting
Oil on panel.   8.5 x 9.6 inches ( 27 x 22 cm)

I thought I was going to have a "grey" plein air today but who knew... it was raining really hard the first hour then it stopped. Sky began to clear up then sun came out. But I really liked that " grey" feeling. So, I kept a little bit of "grey" feeling on this work. Well, I hope it didn't confuse you. "Is it a sunny day?" Or, "Is it a raining day?", "Both" I would said.

( Plein air) Between the two Buildings of Belize Harbour

Plein air painting
Oil on panel.   8.5 x 9.6 inches (27 x 22 cm)

I'm amazed at how much time I can spend on this small painting. 3 hours!!! Oh, my! For my record, I can do a full size portrait in three hours. I'm not sure if its good or bad if I keep working so long at the same spot.
But I do feel good to go back to my plein air and enjoy the process of creating something unique. You know, not everyday it's a good day. Very often there's only few come out nice amount a lot of work. But just keep working no matter what. For me, that's the best way to make significant progress and get closer to my goal.

Time to go back to plein air painting!

Ready to get back to work outdoor!
I took this picture after I dropped my son to school this morning. I do feel emotional every time when I look at the sparkle water. Isn't it beautiful! Lately, I have been working on my painting frames for almost three weeks and I miss doing my plein air paintings so much. The work of frames isn't completed yet but I decide to go out to work and get some fresh air. Not sure where I'm heading but I'm super excited already. Maybe harbour again! I do need to paint more boats and sea.

Life goes on. Continue with larger frames

I'm almost done with small frames. They just need one or two more layers of paint. While waiting for them to dry, I begin to prepare larger frames for my studio paintings. Ah!!! Do you see that little fluffy thing stands outside of the door? His name is fluffy. He's a cut little thing when he's in the mood. I feel sorry for him that I haven't had time to play with him lately. And I don't know if he's awared of the death of his friend, Cocker. A cocker Spaniard that I had for more than 10 years. He wasn't well last week. I sent him to vet's and was on IV. He went to heaven while staying overnight at the clinic. I was very emotional and couldn't work. That morning, I drove around the city with loud heavy metal music. Then I stopped at the seaside. Contemplating.