Giddy at the Getty LA

I'm on the flight back from a short vacation in LA. We managed to combine family activities like Disney with some cultural outings like the Getty and I think everyone had a good time. My highlight of the trip was the visit to the Getty. I loved taking the tram up to catch a magnificent view and I enjoyed seeing my favorite old masters. I was pleased to show the kids their first Van Gogh - the Irises, even through the experience probably went right over their heads. I was particularly drawn to a piece by Degas - the hat maker. I liked the composition very much. I will further study this piece after I get home. The Children's House was inspiring not just for kids. I doodled along with my boys as you see here.

Self portrait

This week, I hit a bit of the creative wall. I was very dissatisfy with how I did with last weeks technique - glazing medium diluted colours over black and white on a tonal study. I let me ego or my expectations get in the way. During class, we repeated the exercise but with a portrait. I was quite nervous as I hadn't painted a portrait for many years. To intensify the self judgement more, I chose a self portrait. The photo is of me in my twenties. At the end, I conquered my fears and painted with less hesitation. I enjoyed painting from my younger self and transformed the image to my age today. Note to self: use larger reference and work out composition before execution

Absorbent ground and limited palette

I am giving absorbent ground another go here with a limited palette - Yellow Ochre, burnt umber, alizarin crimson and bronze. Here is what I got. I mixed the absorbent ground with the colours as I find a colours background gets me inspired easier.

Tonal studies

During the third class, we focused on tonal studies and prepping for the glazing technique. I used these studies to explore my recent interest of landscape.

Dancing and painting

During one of my Painting Bootcamp classes when we were asked to mix up two complimentary colours to show a transition from one to the other colour. I got to a place that felt very natural, I really felt like I was in my elements. I painted quite watery and produced a continuation of transition without gap in between each colour. I blended on the paper and show a gradual scale. The process was very liberating. It felt like my arm, hand and brush was dancing on the paper. I am a fairly clumsy person physically. I don't have quick reflexes like athletes and dancers do. But armed with my brush and paints, I felt quick and precise with my movement.

Apples and figs

The red and green exercise continues. Here is the homework for this week, continuation of exploring the complimentary colours. I had less time to devote to the painting part this week but have been constantly thinking about colours and compositions. I intended to create a study that show a gradual style of rendering from detail and contrast to soft washes of layered colour. I had intended to take the most detailed part and paint it in a built up thicker paint manner. The fig in the bottom got the most detailing.

Plein air

I was walking my dog along the river when I took this photo. I wish I was always prepared to set up anywhere to paint when my little guy finally falls asleep in the van or stroller. The water was so calm, the air was a bit hazy. The vibrant fall colours in the trees with their reflection on the water was beautiful. I will pack my travel water colour kit in the van from now on for moments like these. Paint when baby sleeps is my new objective.