Outdoor Painting - Craig Road, Singapore

I went out to paint again with a few artist friends. This time at Craig Road, just a stone throw away from the one I did last Sunday. As one of them hasn't completed the painting he started last week, we decided to return to the same area. So who says you have to finish off a plein aire painting on the same day? Some paint fast and loose to complete the painting in three hours (like me :P), some paint slower so it takes them two sessions to finish it. Either way, there is no right or wrong, just personal preference based on one's painting style.

Anyway, here's the photo of the location.
An old shophouse converted into a Japanese restaurant.

Here's a photo of my completed painting on location.

...and this is the finished painting.

You might wonder why I've painted a shaded area on the left whereas there is none on the photo. Well, it was gloomy and drizzling when I arrived, so there was no sunlight whatsoever. Usually this kind of weather is only temporary in Singaproe and the sun will be out once the rain stops.

Therfore, I made the decision there and then to paint a hot and sunny day which is typical of tropical Singapore, hoping the rain will stop soon. So I have to "create" my own sunlight and shadows, and that shaded area is therefore, the result of artistic license on my part. ...and one hour into painting, the sun did come out to play :)... although there wasn't any such shaded area on the left in real life... I think it's a wonderful addition that gives the painting a more dramatic atmosphere and clearly represent the hot and humid Singapore weather.

It took me 3 hours to finish this painting. Painted on Fabriano Artistico (half sheet approx 14" x 21"), using W&N, Rembrandt, M.Graham artist grade watercolour paints.

What do you think? Comment and critique welcome as usual.

Cat Lovers, need your help!

Photos courtesy of robin33.blogspot.com

Thanks to Robin and his friends, these kittens and cats are saved from merciless killing by the authorities. Robin has been providing shelter, food and great care to these stray cats since the SARS outbreak period. You can help by donating cat food, toys, medicines, shampoos, etc. (no cash donation please). Find out more information HERE.

Still on the subject of cats, the Cats Welfare Society, Singapore is calling out for all kind souls out there to help sign this on-line petition to protest against the insane and merciless killing of innocent cats.

"Hi pls help -the Ang Mo Kio-Yio Chu Kang Town Council (Singapore) wants to round up all the sterilized community cats in Yishun st 71 to kill them..do call/email Mr Ong Ah Si at 67584922/ feedback@amk-ycktc.org.sg to protest against this insane n inhumane act! do forward to all animal lovers.Pls help innocent cats. Thx."
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/sg3242/petition.html

Is killing the last resort? Surely not!
The cats don't have a voice, you do. Please help.

Outdoor Painting - Neil Road, Singapore

News - Singapore Watercolour Society will be holding its 37th Annual Exhibition - Watercolour Splashes at Ngee Ann Cultural Centre. Opening day is on 1st September 2006 at 6.30pm (by invitation only) and open to public on 2nd & 3rd September 2006. Admission is free.

I went out to paint again last Sunday and this time, at Neil Road, Chinatown with a few fellow watercolourists from Singapore Watercolour Society.

It was a beautiful day and the bright sunshine presented us with beautiful lights and shades that created great contrast in tonal values and colours in our painting subjects - the wonderful pre-war shophouses.

I surveyed the area for a few minutes and picked this spot.


I spent slightly over 2 hours to complete it, rather sketchy with bold strokes. I was seated at an open space without a shelter. Although still under a shaded area, it was very hot and humid and as the sun rose further up, the shaded area shifted gradually and soon I was left exposed directly to the strong sunlight. I was perspiring and had to finish it off quickly...but it's all worth the trouble when I see the result...

Somebody asked "Where's the road sign?"
That's what happened when you have artistic license?
The abililty to observe, plan, execute a painting by
including and omitting objects you see fit in improving
the composition of an artwork. To simply and yet keep
the essentials and add the extras that differentiate a
painting from a photograph!

Just a stone-throw away, three artists are working on their paintings.
Mr Chew Piak San (no relation to me) and Seah Kang Chui on the right.

Ong Kim Seng on the left (arguably Singapore's most well-known

watercolourist who's the author of Mastering of Light and Shade
in Watercolour) and Chew Piak San on the right.

We had an enjoyable day... hope you like it, comments and critiques are welcome as usual.

Another Outdoor Painting @ North Bridge Road

I had to cancel my flight back to Kuching last Wednesday as Javier was a little sick... he has cough and blocked nose but is getting better by the day...

I had not done any plein aire for months so I thought it would be a good idea to do so today. I packed up my plein aire gears and headed to Bugis MRT station. I then walked to North Bridge Road, scanned the area for potential painting subjects and finally settled for this creamy coloured shophouse and the old run-down ones beside it.. This place is actually just a stone-throw away from the other plein aire I did back in April. The same stretch of road, the same type of pre-war shophouses, and I just love painting them. There is a huge Arab/Muslim influence in this area where their ancestors settled in Singapore more than a century ago. It is quite evident with the many Muslim restaurants, shops and trading companies operating around the surronding areas.

I got there around 9.30am... This is how the scene looked like...

There were so many vehicles zooming passed the busy street, it's a miracle I'm not intoxicated with carbon monoxide. :D

And here's the finished work, painted on half sheet of Fabriano Artistico Rough (14" x 21") with W&N, Rembrandt, M.Graham Artist Paints.


Hope you like it. Critiques and comments are welcome as usual.

To Rob & Soo...

Congratulations on your wedding! I must say you've got the best and most beautiful wedding I've ever attended.... simple yet meaningful, with good food and wine, witnessed by a united nation of guests... and the icing on the cake has to be the the beautiful golden sunset.

I'm sure you'll cherish this special day for the rest of your lives, which in a way is also kinda special for me that you've entrusted this novice shutterbug to be your "official" photographer.

Although I like photography, it's mainly to supplement my art where I take snapshots of interesting subjects and scenes as references for my paintings. So, thank you for believing in my photography skill (if I ever have one) and I hope I do justice to your wonderful and perfect beachfront wedding.

So, welcome to marriage life!
The end of the wedding day is only the beginning of a marriage! :-)