Surface.Oil.Pastel

Van Gogh Studies: Café Terrace at Night

2010-07-31T00:18:00.000-07:00

Café Terrace at Night

The second paintings of Van Gogh I studied, "Café Terrace at Night" is one of my favorite. I use textured light blue art card for this studies. As usual painted by using Mungyo Artist Oil Pastel, blending with small stick of white and black Simbalion oil pastel bought back from Taiwan. Simbalion OP is rich in wax and its white and black give a very good layering on top of Mungyo OP.

Click to check out the WIP in large view.

Van Gogh Studies: Sun Flower

2010-07-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

Sun Flower

My studies on Van Gogh's paintings begins here, this is the first one I did. I paint this one on the yellowish art paper, the surface of the paper is textured, which gives a nice effects for oil pastel.

Well, if you aware, my vase is a little bit smaller compare to the original one. I made a mistake on calculation during sketching it. When I realized that, its already too late. Its a bit upeasy for me, although the flowers looks quite charming.

World Cup 2010: Kaka please don't cry

2010-07-23T21:55:00.000-07:00

Mungyo + cray-pas OP, A4 size white paper

When the final whistle blew by the referee, Kaka can't take the sorrow of losing the game anymore. World cup 2010, Netherlands beats Brazil 2:1 on the journey to quarterfinal.

World Cup 2010: Football Fans

2010-07-22T05:33:00.000-07:00

Mungyo and cray-pas OP, A4 size white paper.

I am not a hardcore football fans, but like others, I enjoy watching football games, especially World cup. An england football fans looks worry when his national squad is losing.

World Cup 2010: Raining

2010-07-17T04:10:00.000-07:00

Raining , A4 size, Mungyo Artist OP, cray-pas expressionist

Its raining and the game still continue. That day Portugal squad gives a real hits to North Korea squad, seven nil. They celebrate the great victory at the rain.

World Cup 2010: Japan Goal!

2010-07-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

Japan Goal! , A4 size, Mungyo Artist OP, cray-pas expressionist

There are not much Asian squad enters the world cup tournament, Japan can consider one for the elite squad the represent Asia. They have many players play in international leagues and they are quite skillful. I hope more and more Asian countries can pick up this sport in future.

World Cup 2010: Tackles

2010-07-07T07:28:00.000-07:00

Tackles, A4 size, Mungyo Artist OP, cray-pas expressionist

You can't imaging how upset can the Italian football fans be, when the saw the match Italy vs Slovakia. They lose, not even able to enter the 16.

Facing a very offensive tackles from Italy, but Slovakia players do not shows any fear towards them, they continues to shoot on goal.

At last, Slovakia won!

World Cup 2010: Legend

2010-07-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

Legend, A4 size, MUNGYO OP

Even the best striker does not able to predict exactly how the ball may curves and they do not have to.

They just need to know that when it is a goal, they are legend.

World Cup 2010: Lucky 7

2010-07-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

There is a time, they play a wonderful game on the field. Although at last they does not win the world cup.

Lucky 7, A4 size with MUNGYO Artist and Cray-pas Expressionist OP

21 June 2010. Portugal vs North Korea 7 vs 0. C. Ronaldo is the captain for his national team.

World Cup 2010: Lionel Messi

2010-06-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Lionel Messi, the world best football player of his generation. He born in Argentina and now lives in Spain. He plays for Barcelona and the Argentina national football team.

At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. The Argentina local football club River Plate showed interest in Messi's progress, but did not have enough money to pay for treatment for his condition.

Carles Rexach, the sporting director of Barcelona, had been made aware of his talent were able to arrange a trial. Barcelona signed him after watching him play, offering to pay for the medical bills if he was willing to move to Spain.

Therefore his family move to Spain and Messi dedicated himself playing for Barcelona until today.

Messi said:

Barcelona is my life. They have brought me to where I am today. I could not leave, I don't want to leave. I know the Premier League is very good. But I cannot see myself playing in England because my heart is with Barcelona, always.

May 01, 2010

World Cup 2010: Embrace the Victory

2010-06-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

Netherlands, the dutch was the first squad that reserved the seat to Round of 16. With the wonderful goal they score towards Japan, they embrace the victory!

A4 size with MUNGYO Artist and Cray-pas Expressionist OP

This sketch was actually the first sketch I dedicate for the world cup 2010. I am trying to express the victory scenes on the fields. The players are so happy with the achievement they had made, as well as the supporters.

Will they get into the final? It is still too early to tell.

World Cup 2010: The Official Logo in Oil Pastel

2010-06-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

The FIFA World Cup 2010 opened at South Africa. I am not a football fan but I am a world cup fan. The sketch below is the official logo for World Cup 2010. By adding horizontal coarse shading, I would like to express the 'movement' and try to makes the sketch appear to be more lively.

World Cup 2010 Official Logo, Mungyo Artist OP, A4 size.

Which squad do you think will win the Cup?

Tea Farm Family

2010-06-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

MUNGYO Artist OP, Cray-Pas Expressionist OP, 12' x 8' white paper.

This is not the first time I study on Pang Jiun's oil painting, to learn how he express his oriental feel on oil. Here is the first painting of Pang Jiun I study.

By blending the variety of grey on buildings and dark brown and black on the roof is the important parts to express the feel of oriental.

Fruits

2010-06-18T19:26:00.000-07:00

MUNGYO Artist OP, 12' x 8' white paper.

I like to draw fruits, because of the combination of colors as well as the interesting surfaces on the fruits.

By sketching those fruits I learn that star fruit is really hard to draw. Because of the shape and the colors to express the 3Dness of the star fruit.

Well I enjoy painting orange, that is the reason I place the orange infront and hides the star fruit behind.

Blue Sunset

2009-10-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

I always like to look at the sky, especially during early morning and evening. I like to go to beach, where you can enjoy looking at the sky as well as listen to the rhythm of the waves.

MUNGYO Artist OP, 12' x 8' white paper.

Golden Fields ~ New Zealand

2009-10-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

My friend Haan is having vacation at New Zealand now, taking a lots of beautiful pictures and uploaded to facebook. This scene happened during her journey from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch, NZ.

MUNGYO Artist OP, 12' x 8' white papers.

I always find it hard to paint trees and fields using oil pastel, as it seems to be messy and unstructured but it does obey the laws of nature, which introduce some patterns to be trace.

Scenery: Country Road

2009-10-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

OP: MUNGYO Artist
paper : 12' x 8' white paper

I went to Sekinchan, Malaysia during September 2009 when the paddy field is still green. Driving through the road between green paddy field.

This is a breakthrough for me to use only 13 colours on this piece, and I like the outcome. Usually, I tend to mix and blends a lots of colour together until it turns out dirty.

Initially, I sketch the scenery with light grey, differentiate the area based on colour tone and parting them with lines. I do precisely choose the combination of colours before I start my painting too.

Two Helmets

2009-09-19T04:26:00.001-07:00

OP: MUNGYO
SIZE:8 inch x 12 inch
COLOUR: WHITE

I had posted this still life to Wet Canvas forum, one of the members comments that only guys will use helmets as the still life objects.

Morning On the Roof

2009-09-18T19:56:00.000-07:00

OP: MUNGYU
Size: 8 inch x 11 inch
Paper: white drawing paper.

I is a beautiful morning, I can feel the wind, the sunshine and the charming cloud at the sky.

I like to use a lots of grey colour, combinations of blacks and white.

willow trees under the waning moon

2009-09-15T17:34:00.000-07:00

OP: MUNGYO 72 color
Paper's color: White
Size: 8.5 inch x 11 inch

Its been awhile I rest from painting, until the art show album of Pang Jiun I ordered from Taiwan arrived. His art urge me to sketch again, the color and the oriental feel of his oil paintings impress me a lots.

Therefore I picked one of my favourite painting out from his art show album, and try to come out the oil pastel version. This is what I usually do for practice, trying to gain some oriental sense in art.

There are so much different between oil paint and oil pastel, it is no way for me to imitate the expression of oil painting by using oil pastel. But I do not give up, instead I put my feeling towards the scenery while painting it.

After Sunset

2009-07-13T05:20:00.000-07:00

Paper: Hotel Tissue Paper (brown in colour).
OP: MUNGYO

While walking to the car park from my office.
I take a shoot using handset camera.
Its about 7:30pm.
I really enjoy the early night scene at there.

Windows of the World

2009-07-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

Paper: White
OP: MUNGYO

Reaching out the world from an odd windows,
I enjoy the beautiful sunshine.
I observed the lonely city,
Makes me miss you more.

Paddy Field at Sekinchan

2009-06-22T17:46:00.000-07:00

Size: 8 inch X 12 inch
Paper: White
OP: MUNGYO

It was a beautiful morning,
I walk across the paddy field at Sekinchan.

The wind blows, and the paddy is smiling.
A car bypass at the very far end,
Slowly without making any noise.

At that moment,
The peace is there.

Guilin

2009-06-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Guilin(桂林) is a city in China, situated in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on the west bank of the Li River. It is a beautiful place I wish to visit in future.

Peace

2009-06-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

There are no one else besides her and the lake, where I find peace.

Op Aceo : Taiwan (12 cards)

2009-04-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

I just done a set of ACEO total 12 cards depict the Taiwan scenery during the days I had travelling in Taiwan. All of them was painted using MUNGYO Oil Pastel.

西门町 Xi Men Ting

Xi Men Ting is one of the famous place that always filled with teenagers in Taipei. You can find a lot of delicious food as well as nitch products over there.

阳明山 Yang Ming Shan

Yang Ming Shan is a mountainous area, surrounding by colourful flowers and trees.

九份 Jiu Fen

Jiu Fen is a special place near Taipei, you find a lot of unique houses surrounding the cliff.

日月潭 Sun Moon Lake

Sun Mon Lake is a famous tourist spot, remember to take a good ride over there.

奋起湖 Fen Qi Hu

If you enjoy hiking, you definitely loves Fen Qi Hu, the tracks are all well done for the hikers.

阿里山 Alishan

Alishan is a mountain resort and natural preserve located in the mountains of Chiayi County in Taiwan. I was there during sunrise moment of 01 Jan 2009.

阿里山人工林 Alishan artificial forest

This place is where the spirit lives. They are hiding themselves while we walk across and only come out if no one else is there.

鹿港 Lu Gang

Lu Gang means Deer Harbour is an urban township in northwestern Changhua County, Taiwan.

冬山河畔 Dong Shan He

Dong Shan He located at Yi Lan. Have a walk over there enjoying the cold wind is relaxing.

鹿港天后宫 Lu Gang Tian Hou Gong

Tian Hou Gong is a Chinese temple. I was there and the place is full of prayers.

宜兰海边 Beach at Yi Lan

The sand is in black, I love the beach at Yi Lan.

龙潭湖 Long Tan Hu

Long Tan Hu means dragon lake, we have a ride surrounding this lake and brings back only the good luck.

阳明山 YangMingShan

2009-03-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

I been to YangMingShan (阳明山), during the trip to Taiwan. This is one of my favourite scenes. We are heading to the YangMing National Park from the bus station, where I discovered this beautiful scenery.

MUNGYO OP on 12' x 8.5' white paper.

Friendship Forever !!!

2009-03-15T10:19:00.001-07:00

We have a small gathering in a restaurant, everyone is happy. I take one of the photos as reference, the guy in yellow shirt is me.

I missed all of them.

MUNGYO OP on 12' x 8.5' white paper.

The prawns are so delicious!

2009-03-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

During the trip to Taiwan, I had ordered the prawn in one of the famous restaurant.

The prawns are so delicious!

MUNGYO OP on 12' x 8.5' white paper.

宜蘭。縣。巷

2009-03-07T01:02:00.001-08:00

我在宜蘭縣的巷子外，看見陽光的明媚，祂顛覆了我的眼睛。我想如果我有機會住在這裡的話，我會天天和祂聊天。

I am standing at one of the lane of Yilan county, where I can see the soft sunlight. If I have chance to stay there for awhile, I will stand there everyday, enjoying the warm from the soft sunlight.

MUNGYO OP on 12' x 8.5' white paper.

台湾，宜兰：名家檳榔

2009-03-07T00:49:00.000-08:00

This is one of the corner of Yilan county at Taiwan. That is my friend's shop, which selling areca palm (檳榔), Taiwanese favorite's desert.

MUNGYO OP on 12' x 8.5' white paper.

Mandarin Orange

2009-02-01T07:56:00.000-08:00

During the holidays at home for Chinese New Year Celebration, I collect some mandarin from relative, therefore it inspire me to sketch them on black paper.

I made a fast sketch on the object from top view.

I sketch another one on the same object, but this time, I place the mandarin on top of a silica tortoise ashtray.

Sidewalk of YangMingShan

2009-01-30T18:50:00.000-08:00

This is a sidewalk of Yangmingshan National Park (阳明国家公园）in Taiwan. Painted on white drawing block with MUNGYO oil pastel for artists 72 colours.

Beach House

2009-01-30T00:53:00.000-08:00

The scene was shot at a beach in Yi Lan, Taiwan (宜兰，台湾）. It is a beautiful beach where the sand are dark in colour. MUNGYO oil pastel for artists 72 colours on white drawing block.

Light tower

2009-01-14T08:49:00.000-08:00

I sketch this after I came back from Taiwan. I sketch is with SIMBALION Oil pastel bought from Taiwan. I sketch this on black color paper. This Light Tower is dedicated for the Jan 2009 Oil Pastel Challenge of wetcanvas forum.

Tea Farm at Cameron

2008-12-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

Tea farm at Cameron Highlands. This tea farm is surrounded by beautiful track, I remember seeing people running on the track during evening time.

Satay

2008-12-15T16:54:00.000-08:00

Satay or sate is a dish consisting of chunks or slices of dice-sized meat (chicken, goat, mutton, beef, pork, fish, etc.) on bamboo skewers (although the more authentic version uses skewers from the midrib of the coconut leaf). These are grilled or barbecued over a wood or charcoal fire, then served with various spicy seasonings (depends on satay recipe variants).

Satay may have originated in Java, Indonesia, but it is also popular in many other Southeast Asian countries, such as: Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, as well as in The Netherlands which was influenced through its former colonies.

(Quote from Wikipedia)

Self Portrait 2

2008-12-08T01:02:00.000-08:00

This is my oil pastel self portrait second attempt after three months since the first one. Okay, my sister told me the real person looks better, it seems that I uglify myself in this portrait. But what if one day the portrait looks better than the real person, what does this indicate?

Panda

2008-12-06T10:50:00.000-08:00

I have done some sketches of panda. I never see a real panda, all panda I saw was through photo and images downloaded from the internet. I really hope one day I have the chance to see one in real.

Panda looks so cute, that is the reason people fancy about them? Panda always looks smiling, does they really smiling all the time? I doubt it.

Recently, I like to start my initial sketch in gray. To sketch panda, gray is really an important colour to start with.

This is the same sketch after I filled in other colours.

This panda is resting on the top of the wood branch.

Its already very late now, I think I need to hit the sack, good night pandas.

Roti Canai

2008-12-05T21:17:00.000-08:00

Roti Canai is a type of flatbread found in Malaysia, is it alsa known as Roti Prata in Singapore. The word Canai pronouns as 'Chanai', and some of the malaysian will call it Roti Kosong which Kosong means empty.

The dish is composed of dough containing copious amounts of fat, flour and water. The form of fat used is usually ghee (clarified butter). It usually served with yellow beans gravy and spicy curry.

Roti Canai is very cheap in price, it is often sold in Mamak stalls, it usually less than RM1.

To know more, feel free to check out the wikipedia.

Ice Kacang

2008-12-03T04:54:00.000-08:00

Ice Kacang is a unique dessert that usually served at Malaysia and Singapore. It is made of shaved ice served with sweet flavoured syrups, red beans, jelly, Atap Chee (palm fruit), lychee, sweet corn, peanuts, bananas, ice cream etc. And Evaporated milk is drizzled over the mountain of ice makes the Ice Kacang taste even better.

Ice Kacang also known as Ais Kacang or ABC (Air Batu Campur) or in mandarin ( 红豆冰 )

I remembered that I joined ACapella competition during year end of 2007. We won that night, one of the song title is Ice Kacang.

I miss singing with them.

A bowl of Curry Mee

2008-11-30T01:57:00.000-08:00

Curry Mee is the hawker food that are unique to Malaysia, it is made up of thin yellow noodles and thin mee-hoon(rice vermicelli) with spicy curry soup, mixture of old coconut milk (squished out from old coconut flesh), and a choice of dried tofu, prawns, cuttlefish, oyster edible pig's blood, chili sambal (extra hot spice) and mint leaves.

Some of the Curry Mee stall will encourage you to add curry chicken, not all hawker stall have that preference.

Mee Goreng

2008-11-29T10:28:00.000-08:00

I enjoy eating, especially local hawker food. They are inexpensive but delicious. Malaysia is a country with cultural mixed, we have Indian food, Chinese food and Malay food.

This is my first sketch of the Malaysian Hawker Food, Mee Goreng.

Mee Goreng is fried noodles, very famous in Indonesia and Malaysia. Malaysia Mee Goreng are usually fried by Indians, therefore they are also known as Indian fried noodles.

It is made of thin yellow noodles fried with onion, fried tofu, chili, Indian sweet gravy, vegetables, bean sprout and egg.

Lady Portrait

2008-11-29T08:32:00.000-08:00

I always scared of doing portrait, I find myself failed to capture it accurately. If you asked me to sketch a girl, I will end up sketching her sister.

The final sketch and the initial sketch doesn't looks the same.

Doing portrait is really hard.

St George's Anglican Church at Farquhar Street, Penang

2008-11-29T00:55:00.000-08:00

This Anglican Church was build in 1816 using convict labour, when Colonel J.A. Bannerman was the Governor of Penang. The church was designed in the Georgian Palladian style - that's a combination of the Georgian style, named after the reigns of King George I and IV, 1714-1830; and the Palladian style, named after the Grecian architecture of a Roman called Palladius.

The first significant event to take place at the St George's Church was the marriage of Janet, daughter of Governor Bannerman, to William Edward Philips, in 1818. Services are still held at the St George's Church twice every Sunday, at 8.30am and 10.30am.

Some extracted paragraphs from HERE.

I had done a dozen of sketch theme as "Penang Building". This will be the last one, but who knows may be I will be sketching all of them again in future.

Backyard

2008-11-27T09:23:00.000-08:00

Does your house backyard looks like this? This is the backyard of old houses at Georgetown, Penang.

Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower

2008-11-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

Sketch by using Faber-Castell and Cray-Pas expressionist Oil Pastel.

Old Post Office

2008-11-20T08:10:00.000-08:00

This is the NOVEMBER 2008 Monthly OIL PASTEL CHALLENGE posted in Wetcanvas forum. It took me sometimes to decided whether to take up the challenge. Here is my initial sketch.

I work on the scenery outside the door first. Refers to the reference photo, I observed that scenery outside the door is brighter compared to scenery inside the building.

Well, I told myself, I gonna improve the contrast between inside and outside later.

This is final, I layered a tint of light yellow for the outside scenery for the contrast. The challenge thread is here. Thanks for looking at it.

KOMTAR and Penang Ferry

2008-11-17T09:04:00.000-08:00

KOMTAR tower is the tallest building in Penang. It was the tallest building in Asia when the time it was constructed, but lately it is been surpassed by Seoul's Korean Life Insurance Building. Anyway, It is still a very important landmark for Penang Island.

Penang Ferry is a transporter that can carry vehicle and people from Butterworth to Penang Island. It was the only way to cross the sea, but now it becomes second option to cross the sea, because we already have Penang bridge.

If you aware of the smoothly feel of mountain, it was blended by using tortillons. This is the view before blending was applied.

Which one do you prefer?

Green Apple

2008-11-16T09:21:00.000-08:00

I always enjoy Yusuke's OP sketch, it is so real and lively. This is my first attempt on realism, it does helps me to train up my observation on colors, accuracy on sketching objects. I think I gonna do more realism sketch on still life.

Armenian Street in Georgetown, Penang

2008-11-15T10:34:00.000-08:00

Armenian Street is one of the historical street in Penang, where it was preserved with various famous heritage buildings. Cheah Kongsi is one of the building located at Armenian Street. If you are interested in knowing the history of Armenian Street, check out this page.

Armenian Street, Buncho Oil Pastel on white drawing paper

I remember I bought some print Penang building sketch postcard for my friend as a birthday gift. The sketch was done by charcoal for the buildings outline and with watercolor for foreground and background. I love those building sketch, which it inspire me to try this sketch.

First, I sketch the building with gray OP, but I purposely paint the flag, the round signboard and the streetlight with brighter color for the contrast to the old building because they are all newly added in recent years. Then, I apply pearl color on foreground for the buildings and background for the sky and clouds. With some marking done in gray for the darker parts of the clouds.

At last, I work out the outline with black, as well as adding gray and pear orange for the blends and shades. This is consider experimental, because I uses pale color for foreground and background but I express the buildings with dark outline. And I use less than 10 colors for the entire sketch.

Acheen Street and the Malay Mosque

2008-11-14T04:53:00.000-08:00

The Acheen St. Mosque in Georgetown, Penang, is also known as Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh (Malay Mosque) was founded by Tengku Syed Hussain Al-Aidid in 1808. The entire complex is historically and architecturally important as it reflects the earliest Muslim urban community in Penang comprising of the Malays, Indian Muslims, Arabs and the Achehnese.
Quote from http://www.hbp.usm.my/townplg/heritage/acheen.htm.

The Mosque is located at the place near to Khoo Kongsi, which is walking distance.

The composition of buildings and the street is a challenge for me, I have no confident to sketch it directly with OP. With the help of colour pencil, I have done my initial sketch. It is easy to correct the mistakes on colour pencil compared to oil pastel.

My focus is to express the historical view on entire street, which I do not concentrate on the details in very fine manner.

Finally, I had completed the sketch.

Hai Kee Chan, Penang

2008-11-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

Hai Kee Chan (海记栈）is a traditional mansion which located in Georgetown, Penang. Not like others Chinese traditional building which likes to paint in red, this building painted in green. If you are interested for visiting it, feel free to get further information at here.

I am using cray-pas expressionist OP, and painted on drawing block's cover that have coarse surface. Not like others Penang building painting that I usually sketch the details using color pencil before applying the Oil Pastel. But this time, I sketch it directly with OP.

I started with the door, lamp and the signboard.

Then I outline the rest of the objects such as windows and lanterns.

Next, I finished off the green wall.

Final!

Stylish Rapper

2008-11-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

I made a study on portrait, I did a fast sketch directly with oil pastel.

It is really challenging for me to sketch portrait, because a minor mistakes may cause a very obvious difference. Look at the lady with the sunglasses, initially there are no sunglasses. I had made a mistakes on the pupil, therefore I decided to give her a treatment by painting her a sunglasses.

I had this sketch posted on wetcanvas and mention about my cheat on covering the eyes, it does welcomes some comments from the people over there, check it out, I find them interesting.

Kek Lok Si

2008-11-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

I sketched this Pagoda before, one of the ACEO I had made for the exchange. I still find it hard to sketch this octagon buildings. This is A4 size textured surface, mainly by Faber-Castell Oil Pastel with some cray-pas expressionist for the blending and layering.

I am not very satisfied with this one, I think I will plan for the next attempt in future.

Paint from Nature: Outward

2008-11-10T07:26:00.000-08:00

This is the first time I paint from nature, without the need of referring to the photo, I can choose what to paint, it is so flexible. I do not even use my color pencil to sketch. I feel so good about it!

This is my house's outward, my house is at level 4. I sit at the door, staring out from the corridor, I can see only the roof of the opposite house, which is 3 stories house.

I am using Buncho oil pastel on drawing paper, thanks for looking at it.

Resting

2008-11-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

I sketch a resting man with buncho oil pastel on drawing paper.

Its been awhile I didn't use my buncho OP after I bought cray-pas expressionist and Faber-Castell OP. Although Buncho OP the lower grade OP, but it does provides a set of striking colors.

Leisure sketch

2008-11-07T23:52:00.000-08:00

I usually sketch my art by using color pencil consequently applying oil pastel. Yesterday, while waiting for the visit of my friend, I feel like having a leisure sketch. Therefore, I simple grab a piece of scrap paper left over on my desk and straight away sketch it with my Buncho oil pastel.

The first sketch object is my red helmet, which it is the first object that drags my attention. With no initial color pencil sketch, with no wasting time on choosing accurate color and measuring the object size, it took me about 5 - 10 minutes to finish the entire sketch.

As I looked at it that time, wow! it is not bad at all. So I decided to do another one, this time is my bonsai.

Out of sudden, I realized a problem! Hey! those papers are actually waited to be throw, now I have turn it into an art, It is a waste if I throw it away now.

With the success of those sketch, I picked a complex object for my next sketch. It is my bed that position near the window.

I finished up my scrap paper, but still I feel like doing another one. I found a piece of laundry receipt left on my desk, ^^ hehe.

It took me little time to sketch, but the outcome is astonish. I think I will do more leisure sketch in the future.

Teo Chew Association in Penang

2008-11-07T18:11:00.000-08:00

Teo Chew Association in Penang is also known as Han Jiang Ancestral Temple. It is a building that won the Award of Merit from the Unesco Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Culture Heritage Conservation like Khoo Kongsi.

I have drew the outer hall of this temple. I am using mostly Faber-Castell creative studio oil pastel, as well as blending with some cray-pas expressionist OP on white drawing paper.

This is the initial sketch that I have done by using color pencil and few stroke of OP.

My focus on this building is the roof as well as the depth of the interior part. Therefore, I start my painting from the roof.

I use a lots of dark color to express the layer depth of the interior of the building, dark color consist of dark brown, dark blue, dark red as well as black.

And finally, it is done. Here I present you the Teo Chew Association in Penang. Thanks for looking at it.

Khoo Kongsi in oil pastel

2008-11-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

Khoo Kongsi is located at Penang Georgetown, Malaysia. It is one of the famous heritage site in Penang. The outlook of this building looks like Chinese temple, it is mainly made of wood. You will find the clay statue on the top roof and Chinese lantern in the building.

I have discovered a photo at penangart.com, which is stunning! Therefore I took that photo as my reference and started a fast sketch!

I applied the paint with Faber-Castell OP, and blend it with a little bit of cray-pas expressionist OP as well. The paper I used is coarse texture light purple A4 size card.

This is the 3rd painting about Penang building I have done.

An old auberge in Penang

2008-11-02T05:54:00.000-08:00

This is an old auberge located at Georgetown of Penang, Malaysia. Georgetown is the capital of Penang, has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List recently. Although this tiny little auberge is not as famous as Khoo Kongsi, but this simple aging building is beautiful for me.

This is the first time I use Faber-Castell creative studio oil pastel into painting. I am using coarse surface orange card, as well as faber-castell color pencil for the initial sketching.

First, I am sketching this building in brown.

My first impression on Faber-Castell oil pastel is the price, it is expensive compared to cray-pas expressionist. Both of them provides 36 colors, Faber-Castell gives quite interesting range of colors for me, they have many light tone which is close to white, and it gives me two gray color. Well, they do not provide gold and silver.

I realized that Faber-Castell Oil pastel is quite dusty, and I prefer cray-pas white color compare to Faber-Castel one.

I am using cray-pas silver color for the gate, as well as some dark brown for the darker area of the wood window.

And finally, It is done. This is the second painting dedicated to Penang, my home neighborhood.

I have tried applying Faber-Castell white to cover the light yellow (102 cream), but it failed to cover, it seems opaque to me. Therefore, at last I choose cray-pas white.

Well, it is still too early to tell whether Faber-Castell oil pastel suits me or not. I will do more painting using Faber-Castell OP.

Bronze Age of Ancient China

2008-11-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, I have read an article regarding Bronze Age of Ancient China（青铜时代） in the UNESCO magazine, it covers the historical stories regarding Dynasty Shang （商朝）as well as includes a lots of beautiful photo.

I picked up my cray-pas expressionist oil pastel, refers to the images on the magazine and started to paint it on ATC size black mounting board.

I got the image as reference from the cover of the magazine, I don't know what is this statue depict, it is a kind of 'dog' for me, which made of clay and bronze.

This is bronze human mask （青铜人面）which I call it Bronze Goblin Mask. Regarding to the article, this kind of mask is very rare, archaeologist believes that is how ancient chinese in Dynastic Shang looks like. The usage of the mask is still unknown.

This is one of uncommon set of bronze age objects. This bronze statue looks very different from others. Archaeologist believes this statue must be depict the King or God. I didn't know Frankenstein already exist during Dynastic Shang, it was a great discover! :P

This is a weapon for the war, Bronze Tomahawk (青铜钺).

Chinese Brush Styles Oil Pastel Landscape

2008-10-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

I have done another oriental painting, this time I use Chinese Brush painting as my reference. Check out original painting is HERE.

一叶轻舟万重山

I painted this on a smooth and opaque surface. Yes, it is tracing paper. I discovered more about oil pastel on tracing paper. My tracing paper is very thin, therefore when I place it on a coarse surface such as wood table, it does help me work out the texture. Nature of tracing paper allows me to erase my mistakes by using eraser. In contrast, finished work have to be taken serious care to prevent scratches.

I am quite happy with the outcome I had achieved, it does express the "artistic conception" (意境).

Oil Pastel on Tracing Paper

2008-10-26T10:12:00.000-07:00

This is an experimental painting, I applied oil pastel on opaque tracing paper.

The initial painting looks like this:

I realized that the smooth surface of the tracing paper is rejecting oil pastel from blending and layering, therefore with few strokes I finalized the painting. My intention is to make the daisy smile, good thing of tracing paper is, I manage to use tortillion to work out the daisy petals.

I think this is not so bad, I think tracing paper are suitable for oil pastel painting that does not rely on blending.

Penang Cheah Kong Si

2008-10-26T09:38:00.000-07:00

Penang island is a beautiful island in Malaysia, also known as 檳榔嶼 in mandarin. The name "檳榔嶼" is in the navigational drawings used by Admiral Zheng He of Ming-dynasty China in his expeditions to the South Seas in the 15th century.

Penang Island is full of Chinese traditional old buildings. It is now part of UNESCO's World Heritage Cities Program. I am painting one of the heritage, Cheah Kong Si (谢氏宗祠)。

This is the initial sketch.

And this is the final painting.

This is the view of the front gate, it is made of wood and painted in red. This is the first Penang oriental building I have paint, I wish to do more in the future.

Oil Pastel for the serious beginner by John Elliot

2008-10-25T02:36:00.001-07:00

Obviously, I am a beginner who are very serious on using oil pastel as a medium for fine arts. Browsing through amazon for the books about using oil pastel, I only find this book on the list. I made an order online one month ago and today finally, this book arrived.

I am so glad I own this book now, as the information in this book is so useful to me. It suggest me which oil pastel to choose from, shows various painting surfaces and how to frame my finished works. It gives me ideas of how to do still life, landscape, faces and figures etc using OP. Also interesting topic regarding mixing medium such as oil pastel on oil, watercolor, acrylic etc. As well as wash techniques using solvent, or simply use water for water soluble OP. Everything mention in the book is new to me, I learn a lots.

I wish to see more books regarding oil pastel in the future, and if you are serious of trying oil pastel, check this book out!

ACEO to Canada

2008-10-24T16:08:00.000-07:00

Three cards for the ACEO exchange project reached Canada at the same day.

20th, "Alone on the beach"

21th, "Sunshine"

22th, "Thaipusam"

All of them painted using cray-pas expressionist oil pastel.

Pang Jiun's art

2008-10-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

Pang Jiun's art amazed me a lots! This is where I get the idea of doing oriental oil pastel paintings from. His oil painting have a very strong feel of Chinese brush drawing (水墨画). With post-impressionism and Fauvism from oil paintings, he blends the oriental style into his art.

He likes grey, he produce a lots of greyish painting on oriental buildings, bridges as well as landscape. A very important element of oriental painting ~ "remains white" (留白). It leaves certain portion of paintings blank without fill in any colors at all (not even white color). As we draw a bird on a white paper, blank white color becomes sky; if we draw living things, white becomes land; draw a boat, white becomes water.

Lets look at one of his painting "Galaxy in the world", you will observed the greyish as well as "remains white" elements.

This is the first painting of Pang Jiun that I had discovered. I love it so much and feel no hesitate to paint it in oil pastel to experience the oriental's mood.

The size of my painting is 16 x 25 cm. I paint it on white drawing block uses cray-pas expressionist as well as a little bit of buncho OP.

Michelle and Daisy

2008-10-23T08:15:00.000-07:00

Another two ATC reached the destination.

18th. Daisy reached Danville, USA

19th. Michelle reached Ponte Vedra Beach, USA

More ACEO for exchange project reached destination safely

2008-10-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

I have more cards that reached the destination.

14th Elephant, reached Punta Gorda, FL USA.

15th Woman's BWM, reached California USA.

16th Harvest, Paddy reached Klamath Falls, USA.

17th An old ape reached Clarington, OH USA.

Water Lily Oriental Style

2008-10-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

清水出芙蓉，天然去雕饰。

This is Oil Pastel Monthly Challenge for October 2008 at Wetcanvas forum. I am trying to express oriental feel into this painting. I am using cray-pas expressionist, paint on A4 size drawing paper. The actual size of this painting is 16 x 21 cm.

First, I sketch the drawings using color pencil, I choose perl because it is not obvious and can be easily covered by OP. I paint a few scratches of blue to the water lily, and paint it with white to blend the blue and leave it just like that. I use my favorite green (green gray) on lower leaves, and yellow, a little bit of light green and again blends them with green gray for leaves at center.

Water surface is the most challenging part, because it consist of different colors. I start from bottom, fill them with dark blue, dark green and grey. Further up where I work on the reflection of trees, I paint them in dark green, dark brown and at final stage I apply black shades to express the movements of the water. The reflection of the cloud must be in light blue, grey and white, I apply dark blue lightly and blends them with white too. The upper side of water is in light blue, which that is the reflection of blue sky.

The shadows are mainly started with either dark blue or dark green. And applied another layer of dark brown and at last shaded with black.

I like this painting, I think I am going to try more oriental styles.

Cock

2008-10-19T03:28:00.000-07:00

"Cock" is the 13th ACEO for the exchange project.

It was reached California, USA safely.

Snail

2008-10-18T21:17:00.000-07:00

My snail was reached Holbrook, USA safely. This is the 12th ACEO for the exchange project.

I remember I painted it during Hari Raya Holidays at Penang Malaysia, with my cray-pas expressionist.

Step by step: Brighten your life ACEO

2008-10-18T04:36:00.000-07:00

I still remember two months ago, I am surfing the net for info of creating ACEO, as I have some doubts such as what kind of paper should I use? what paper color is suitable for oil pastel? Should I use pencil for sketching before painting it with OP? What are the additional tools do I need to create this mini size of art.

Today, I have done more than 30 pieces of Art trading card, I have my doubt answered, and continue to accumulate more experiences on creating Oil Pastel ACEO. While enjoying the weekend and waiting for more cards to reach the destination for the exchange project, I created another card and take photo shots my work in progress.

This is my first ACEO WIP post, I would like to do it as details as possible. I welcome any comments and suggestions regarding where to improve as well as tips and tricks.

For creating ATC, the card size is important, it must be 2.5 x 3.5 inches. I couldn't find any ready made ATC size paper from the art suppliers, therefore I bought a large black color mounting board and cut them into pieces myself.

I realized that, graphite pencil may blend with OP and produces dirty color, and also it is hard to see on black color mounting board. Therefore I bought a white pastel pencil.

I can't draw something from nothing, well I always need a photo for a reference. Fortunately I can get the photo of the object I wanna draw from the net. Here is a good site that finds me a series of images from flickr based on the tags I specified.

Study the image I picked, the color tone, the shades, the focus point and the beauty. This is important, I may have to love the painting before I start the painting. After that, I sketch it with white pastel pencil.

Next, I picked out the OP from the box to another container, those are all the important colors I need it for the painting.

I am quite new to cray-pas OP, although I have using it for quite sometimes. Still, some of the colors doesn't blend well on black mounting board, which I have yet to discover. Therefore, I usually trying it out for a small portion to build up my confidence.

Alright! It seems to goes well, so I continue ...

I like to use white a lots, I find it blends well with any other colors.

Yellow is always a headache for me, because of the opacity it gives, it looks dirty on black. I don't have any other materials for underpaint, I heard acrylic is good for underpaint, but I am yet to try.

This is not yet final, I will come back for the details. But at the moment, its time to go goes for the background.

My intention is to create a blurry background where some how you can feel the flower is surrounding by other flowers.

I have mixed various colors at various portion by circling it, then I blend them together, with the help of grey color OP.

After done on background, I come back for the details of the main object.

This is the secrete tool for details on a mini card. It is call tortillon, but I call it color blender, which I helps me blends colors to produce the intended textures.

I come back for the background, adding white color at certain portion.

Finally it is done, I hold it with my hand to feel the size as I always do.

Lets have a closer peek!

Alright, hope you enjoy my step by step walk through. I hope this will brighten your life as well as my life too.

Resting boat

2008-10-18T02:08:00.000-07:00

This is the 11th ACEO, "Resting Boat" and today it reach Texas, USA.

cray-pas expressionist oil pastel on black mounting board.

10th ACEO Moth

2008-10-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

My ACEO "Moth" for the exchange project reach Eufaula, USA today.

This is the 10th ATC that reached the destination safely.

Driving in the night

2008-10-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

The 9th card for the exchange project has reached India. I am glad Mithila likes it. I am painting it with my cray-pas expressionist oil pastel on black mounting board.

Can you guess what car is it?

Stillness

2008-10-15T17:54:00.000-07:00

This is 8th ACEO for the exchange project. I present you the "Stillness".

This card reached Norway. In fact, this is the last card I had made but it reached Norway first, while all the other cards are still on it's way.

Love

2008-10-15T17:41:00.000-07:00

Love reached West Haven, USA.

I am using pale color on black mounting board, to express the contrast.

This is the 7th ACEO that reached overseas country. I am glad June likes it.

Ladybird

2008-10-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

My 6th ACEO for the exchange "Ladybird" reach Australia today too.

Now it is with Shelly.

At this moment, 19 of them are still on the way.

Kek Lok Si in Oil Pastel ACEO

2008-10-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

Kek Lok Si was just reached New Zealand today.

This is my 5th card for the exchange project.

Painted by using Cray-pas expressionist 36 colors Oil pastel on black mounting board size 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

Beach Run

2008-10-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

It will be very relax bringing dog for a run on the beach.

Cray-pas expressionist 9 x 12 inches on embossed coarse linen surface.

This is the initial sketch

I have done for the clouds and blue sky.

And finally, this is "Beach Run"

Experimenting on white embossed coarse linen paper

2008-10-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

I bought a white embossed coarse linen paper. It is the first time I work on this kind of paper. The paper is made of high quality acid free cotton fibre, the surface's texture is canvas alike.

The size is 12 x 9 inches, and I am using cray-pas expressionist oil pastel.

First of all I use 7B pencil to sketch the objects before painting it.

Serious Mistake!! As I shouldn't use soft graphite pencil like 7B. The graphite had blended with oil pastels and produces dirty color.

I am regret of using 7B pencil, but as it is already started, I decided to complete it. And here is the outcomes.

Anyway, It looks better in physical form, but I am not happy with it.

I have learned a lesson, if I do it again, I gonna use oil pastel pencil, color pencil or harder graphite like 4H or above.

Puppy

2008-10-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

I paint a puppy, with cray-pas expressionist oil pastel, on a 2.5 x 3.5 inches black mounting board. First, I sketch the puppy by using white pastel pencil. Next I begin to blend 'pearl', various levels of brown colors to express the the dog's fur and skin.

I blend dark brown as well as black for the eyes and the nose. With pearl color again for the reflection on top of the eyes and nose. Using white for the whiskers.

At last, applied green and dark brown for the grass carpet and dark brown blended with black again for the background.

Statue

2008-10-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

From WC ACEO Exchange Sept 2008

This is the 4th card for the exchange, had arrived France. I am glad Shelley likes it.

Cray-pas expressionist 36 colors Oil pastel on black mounting board size 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

ACEO Fruit series

2008-10-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

After the Pumpkins, I have done another four cards focus on fruits. I am using Cray-pas expressionist 36 colors on black mounting board.

Let me list all of them here.

#1 Pumpkins

#2 Oranges

#3 Strawberry

#4 Apple

#5 Pear

All this while, I realized that certain color of OP doesn't blend well on my black mounting board, especially colors like yellow, light orange, they always appear transparent. I have discussed that in the forum and they have suggested me to do underpaint first before applying yellow, perhaps underpaint with other material such as oils, acrylics, or watercolor.

Look at the initial sketch of oranges, you may discovered that the orange color is transparent that leaves a lots of blackly scars.

Even after I have applied different tones of orange color on top of it, the scars still existed. In fact, I may always adapt the nature of the board and OP to express it as textures, but sometimes the scars are too much for certain surfaces, and they are no ways to cover entirely.

Pumpkins

2008-10-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

One of the October 2008 Oil Pastel challenge of WetCanvas forum is to paint pumpkins. Again, I decided to paint it on those left over ATC size black mounting board. I am using Cray-pas expressionist 36 color Oil Pastel.

This is the initial view.

I drew out the shape of pumpkins using white pastel pencil. After that, I blended it with 2 different tone of orange as well as yellow for the pumpkin's surfaces and "green gray" for the stem. Green gray is my favorite green, I find it blend very well on black mounting board. I am using "Sepia" for the pumpkin's shades. Sepia is my another favorite color, which gives dark brown that close to black color.

Here is the final view.

I use a lots of white to express reflection of lights as well as lighter shading. At last, I scatter with black, emphasizing darker shading.

Finally, I am done. Now I am holding it in my hand.

Full Moon's Night

2008-10-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

Another ATC has reached USA today, this is Full Moon's Night for Charlene.

From WC ACEO Exchange Sept 2008

ATC 2.5 inch x 3.5 inch. Oil Pastel on black mounting board.

"Gasing" for Wet Canvas ACEO Exchange

2008-10-02T00:57:00.000-07:00

The ACEO "Gasing" has arrived Canada, I am glad Randi likes it.

From WC ACEO Exchange Sept 2008

I am using Cray-Pas Expressionist 36 colors on black mounting board, size 3.5 inch x 2.5 inch. With white on top of the dark green background, I am trying to express its lighting.

My first ACEO for the exchange project.

2008-09-29T02:14:00.000-07:00

From WC ACEO Exchange Sept 2008

Color's of Autumn

My first ACEO for the Wet Canvas forum's ACEO exchange project was successfully reached India. I am very excited when I received a PM from Nithya, and I am so glad she likes it, Thanks.

Oil Pastel Sept 2008 Challenge

2008-09-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

Every month, there will be a thread open for challenge in Oil Pastel Studio of WetCanvas forum. Anyone are welcome to post their masterpiece, and ask for comments. While looking at everyone's masterpieces and read through people's comments, its really widen my views as well as sense of art.

Suddenly, I find myself very philosophical about Art. Art is not about accuracy, is not about right and wrong. For me art is about self expression of the artist and appreciation from the audience. I can't say this painting is correct, but I can tell why I like it.

After crapping around here, now lets look at the photo Randi post up.

Slieve League on the North West Irish Coast

And this is my painting on ATC size ( 3.5 inch x 2.5 inch) on black mounting board, my OP is CRAY-PASS Expressionist 36 colors.

From Oil Pastel ACEO

And Yeah! I like to hold it in my hand.

From Oil Pastel ACEO

If you are interested on the challenge, please check this out!

Best Forum for artist of all levels!

2008-09-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

Recently I have discovered a very interesting forums regarding arts, WetCanvas! It is the best forum for artist from all levels! You will meets artist from all around the world, experienced and talented one. They are all very helpful and friendly, that makes me believes that the world is no logger round but flat.

Not only I find the people there nice, but I also able to access various arts information, interactive tutorials, interesting exchange projects, space for me to upload my paintings for sharing.

I will be active in Oil Pastel Channel, there are a lots of things I need to learn from them.
I will be socializing in Art Cards Editions and Originals (ATC/ACEO) channel too. I am very lucky that I managed to join the ACEO exchange projects just in time.

Check It out and join Us at WetCanvas!!! You won't regret!

Having fun with ACEO

2008-09-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

I love ACEO very much! For the first day I discovered ACEO, the second day, I already making my first ACEO.

ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals" or ATC "Art Trading Cards", it is one of the miniature art which have to be in size of 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches. Its about the size of poker card where is it well fit into your palm.

I like to take pictures on ACEO with my hand holding it. It makes me feel like I am taking down a huge painting from the wall and hold it with my hand.

Here I would like to share my first 3 ACEO, with my hand holding it of cause :p

Wow! I feel so good! I promise that I gonna create more ACEO!

My first oil pastel experience begins here

2008-09-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

I remembered I have mimic Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night" using oil pastel few years ago. I remembered I find it awesome, but I couldn't remember where I kept the painting. After visited an art gallery at my home town (Penang, Malaysia), my art's gens revived and started to grow.

When I was young, probably during studying at primary and secondary school, my parent sent me to private drawing classes. I still remember painting using Buncho poster color during primary school, and continue to paint it in water color during high school.

But now, I want to try something different. I find myself passionate on oil pastel. I didn't aware of any art classes or studio here in Malaysia concentrate on oil pastel. As OP (oil pastel) is not common in the arena here. I decided to start my journey alone while searching for BOF. I am glad that I can find a lots of information regarding OP in the internet, and realized that I am not really alone in OP.

This is my very first OP in normal sketch book. Traditional Malaysia food, Nasi Lemak.

From Oil Pastel Drawings

And just very recently, I came across ACEO. So here is my first ACEO in OP.

From Oil Pastel ACEO