Nature is Simple, En Plein Air Watercolour Painting Landscape

I like looking into water on rocks.  There are little sea lives that, I guess, are of interest of sea gulls.  Walking pass, I could see some people also seemed to have discovered something on rocks around the bay.  It's a good way to spend time with friends in a relaxing way in a busy city.

After locating good seat on the deck, I decided to paint this unusual composition, seaside roading architecture!.  I wasn't so sure but I went ahead any way.   I put the painting away in a draw.  I thought I would change my mind after a while.  I look at it again.  I was surprised I like it a bit more. I like the little conversation here and there..  and somewhere someone enjoy a connection, a friendship in a casual way.. like a fife form in nature in little water residue on rocks

Looking at nature we discover a lot about ourselves.  The real balance that fosters life are all around us.  Some spend a few minutes to appreciate it others, a life time.  Like air and water, like feeling alive, nature is simple, mysteriously simple!

Around the Bay, Watercolour Painting, Auckland, NZ

Your Turn to Row the Boat Ashore, En Plein Air Watercolour Painting Boats

Beautiful Watercolour En Plein Air Painting Boats, Marine scene

For some reason, I like oar boats. I like to go close and look at them..they look like big toys. .. after searching for some thoughts, I understand why I like them. They reminded me of the boats in baby bath tub!.. when the baby grows up, the bath tub grows into ocean.. and the toy boats become oar boats.. I remember the children song.. " row, row the boat ashore...we all tumbling down.." ... As kids many do not give away their toys. Many keep toys for years. Many keep toys for generations. I used to get fascinated when I look at collectible toys. They hold so much memories. Many live in their boats so they can have things both way or many ways! An oar boat is like a baby to the little yacht or a house boat. The main boat offers a hug, a hold and the sea, a lullaby.. the ocean grows and grows.. so big to make sure many people can't escape... 

The stack of oar boats was the sign of boat owners who went inshore shopping for supplies, doing some maintenance or just simply having a rest.

Because I think boats are difficult subjects for outdoor painting, I had hesitation. but I found every time I see them, I thought to myself I would like to try to paint them one day. Walking around to find a composition, then I came back and decided today was the day I was going to paint them. "Who could resist the temptation of things that bring them back to the fun of magical baby time?" I thought if I had not, I would have had to wait for another time, maybe another year. The sun was hot. I had a good start then came the wind. It certainly added some movement to the painting! :-)

Painting at this boat yard several times, I had chances to listen to stories of boat owners. Many live in their boats. I have not heard by their words but by what I know. I can see why many grow old with their boats.. people here do not own much.. maybe just a hug, a hold from their boats and an ocean lullaby .. some peace and comfort in the sunset...

It is love and being loved... Life is simple!

I am not a boater. I do not live in boats. The boats live inside me! That's what I discovered, when I sat with this piece of paper, it turned itself into a boat.. an oar boat...Now, my friends, it is your turn to row the boat ashore!.. :-)

Seaside and Me, Watercolour Painting Landscape, En Plein Air

I love the quiet time in between seasons.  It's meditational.  In between winter and spring, there is a crystal feel in the air.  Little touch of light gave definition to gentle movement on water and rock edges.  I love the rich warm texture of earth the dark of volcanic rocks and cool blues of sea and sky.  Local features of these elements create contrast level one in my book.  In receiving light and atmospheric of the moment, these natural elements gave contrast between their rugged nature and the delicate light and air.  That's contrast level two!  

Understanding colours and tone (tone over colours or colours over tone!), observation, composition and techniques and..  of course ..me, my perception! .. 

Now try to put them together and try to say without using words! :-)  

Sometime it pays not to analyse anything at all.  Just get on with it.  The scene looks simple.  It is simple, the seaside and me!.. 

It is simply love!  just love it, that's how painting becomes easy!.. else I don't think I can paint.. I don't think I can say things without words!

Knowing extreme conditions of climate change, en plein air painting becomes more special to me than ever..  by sharing publicly, I hope to pass on a simple message "Enjoy earth and look after her!  there is no replacement.  she is home.."

Gorgeous Watercolour Painting, Seaside After Winter

Like a Man Loves a Woman, En Plein Air Watercolour Painting Marine

If the weather is a bit flippant, we go painting in this boat yard near the river. It was the season when boaters having their boat for repair and maintenance. Seeing so many of them together, so many choices, I was so excited. Walking around, I fell for this chubby boat. She looks so homely. I am not anywhere to be a boater but just look at her, big bold and cuddly! She is beautiful... and she is mine! I took a pencil and paper, leaving the rest of my gear behind, walked toward her for details and the feel of forms! :-).. I gazed and kept on drawing... I went back to my gear and started painting. The day was good, hot and sunny. The paper was drying fast.. just work faster..

As painting in progress, I heard " like a man loves a woman..", my favourite song from a radio in this chubby boat.. The owner was playing it for us. I thought. She's big, bold and beautiful! who wouldn't fall for her? especially in the coming summer, the summer sea!.. she's made of steel, she's heavy .. she's steady.. she offer stability, minimum disruption from sea conditions.. she offer perfect sleeps with sunset and sunrise on ocean.. she makes people feel home.. She even has satellite disc!

I tried to make the feel of the yard feel real, old concretes with greys and rusty old steel boat with a bit of Indian red and bars with darken viridian.. When I packed up and went home. I forgot boats are one of the most challenging subjects for en plein air!..

" ..Like a man loves a woman..." I know the feel of home in open sea is irresistible! .. someone just lives the dream.. but I am not jealous.. with imagination, I had gone a trip with her during the process of this painting... this is something special about en plein air, something about direct interaction..

"I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process." - Vincent Van Gogh

People said " Love is blind" or I had "lost my mind in the process" Both maybe true, I couldn't have seen the scene I painted was a challenge.. maybe because of the song " ..Like a man loves a woman..." was playing at least twice.. taking my mind away... and what I got left were "heart and soul" in the process..

Wonderful Marine Watercolour Painting, Boats

The Sea Talks to Me, Watercolour Painting En Plein Air

'Our one-year-old son will insult you with his happiness and freedom every day' - Antoine Leiris. A father's defiant message to ISIS after his wife, the mother of his son, was killed in Paris, 13 Nov 2015. It is an impressive statement.

As usual I love everyday of my life but the terrors that happen around the world make me more conscious .

Make the most of everyday. More love to family members. More joy to every moment of life....

Making time to enjoy summer is a must on my list. I often dream of lying on a beach with a wet paint brush, capturing whatever in front of me. However, I was not allowed to take painting gear with me to the beach to enjoy time with family.

In situations like this, I thought of a French pochade watercolour box I bought sometime ago and a pad of watercolour A5 papers (a birthday gift) would be perfect. I quietly slipped the little set in the bag unnoticed. When everyone was going for a walk along the beach, it was the time for me to enjoy the scenes of the beach while sitting with bags and sandals. Time went. It was a long walk. When people came back, I showed them the picture. It was a surprise. People find it hard to believe it was an actual scene on the beach that was right in front of us! I was pleased everyone had something to enjoy especially the one that got left behind!.. me.. It's a win win situation.

With this little picture, that summer day will be in my mind forever. Dream came true!:-)

Writing this, I still feel the heat of the beach. That's is the charm of en plein air with a pochade box. Try it for yourselves, you will be pleasantly surprised that the scene you love can actually talk to you! :-)

I plan to have more and more the secret pleasures with the charming French pochade painting box while sharing wonderful time with family and friends. I am having the world both ways in my arms! Hug.

Looking at the two ladies with their little steps toward the sea, I thought of Picasso painting of the first step. In life, we do not have the whole staircase in front of us, only the first step. The first step of independence into uncertainty requires courage.. I thought of the first step of a one year old who just lost his mother.. the first step of a father who decided to love him twice as much..

Everyday is a chance for a first step into the magic of life. Take it.

Yes, love life a bit more everyday. My friends, you always win.

Beautiful Beach Scene in Watercolour, Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand

The Purest of Them All, a Tribute through Watercolour Art

Sea, Sand and Me, Watercolour Painting, Fine Art

Mastering watercolour does not require "purity". With confident brush strokes, washes and understanding interaction of paper, water and colours including White, grey, black.. beautiful works can be created.

Purity is a popular concept among artists. It goes further in visual art through watercolour.

Purity of watercolour emphasises in the clean washed and limpid execution, bereft of body white, maintaining transparency and at the same time achieving luminosity.

This concept began, not as many collectors think, with Joseph Mallord William Turner, RA (1775 – 1851) and his immediate followers.

It really began between the wars with artists like Philip Wilson Steer OM (1860 – 1942), American artist John Singer Sargent (1856 – 1925) with more than 2,000 watercolours, Scottish artist and illustrator Sir William Russell Flint (1880 – 1969), English artist Edward Seago RBA ARWS RWS (1910 – 1974) a War Substantive Captain with honorary rank of Major, 1944; English watercolour artist Edward Wesson (1910 – 1983)..

It was Rowland Frederick Hilder OBE ( born in New York, 1905 – died 1993, an army Camouflage Officer during WWII) an English marine and landscape artist and book illustrator, who likened watercolour painting to the elegance of the string quartet against the sonority, breadth, thrust and impact of oil paintings. It is this delicacy and freshness of the one-time application of paint which appeals to him.

The visual concept of purity in watercolour art is a significant development. It is continued until today...

I have listed a few facts of time and involvement as proofs that purism invented and developed by these war time artists were not the concept of the elites, the snooty, the snobbish, the arrogant but of generations who had lived, seen or directly affected by the worst of human conflicts which made hunger, sorrow, suffering, hopelessness, fear, death and decay ... an unforgettable experience. At the point one might have thought that there would not possibly anything we could benefit from the total destructive misery of war, there came a concept of fine purism in visual art for the eyes to see!...

I think of a famous quote from Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." The statement expressed the tendency of human soul that search for purity. The general term "dust of everyday life" showed the artist did not pay much attention to it. Art sets free and purifies the soul. I do not glorify wars. In Picasso case, world wars seemed to be elements adding to the motivation. The artist produced huge volume of works through out 75 years career. Being able to live with art had turned negative into positive in extreme situations.

As part of survival, human soul has the tendency to seek for purity. In the dark, the eyes seek for light. In war, the soul searches for peace, purity of life! This desire is portrait through the concept of purity in watercolour art. No other times in human history, darkness blanketed the souls like the experience in times of World Wars. No other time in Art history the artist soul searched for purity was so clear. The result of this search is something purer than the pre war purist concept. Watercolour Purism with all requirements, represents reaction of human souls to all darkness in war times. With evolving current world conflicts, an escape of the soul into the purest form of life would naturally continues...

"Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the purest of them all?"... I guess ..I am trying to find answer..

The delicate properties of watercolour gave chance to artists to explore the challenge and drive the concept of purity to its finest. Why pushed it? .. it was nothing more than a desire to uplift the soul out of its misery.. seeking for a moment of delight with effortless poetry!... looking around I think it is more than just a human tendency ...

The creation of watercolour purity concept was in stark contrast with the war environment where flooded infested trenches and muddy fields were soldiers living environment. Was inspiration for purest form of purity in art coming from a spirit above?

No matter what state of the world, the concept of purism in watercolour guides the mind and the hands of painters to seek for beyond boundaries. .. I wonder why is the speedy execution required by this concept? .. I can't help but thinking about speedy machines required for the battles in the air.. the speedy response of people on the ground for survival.. speedy response with muscles, heart and soul...

Pure watercolour itself has special beauty because our soul always searches for purity and our eyes love to see it. With war history, the concept symbolises the spirit of peace.. it is the visual language of elegance, poetry..

"Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the purest of them all?"

I found the answer:

The spirit that was with people who made ultimate sacrifice ..on the ground, in the sea and the sky. That spirit is the Purest of Them All.

My tribute.

Boats and Puddle, Watercolour Painting, Marine

En Plein Aire painting at the Royal Akarana Boat Club is always technically challenging.  There are so much to choose.  To keep going at painting art, I have to find varieties to stretch boundaries. That is probably the reason I feel excited at the opportunity.  This time I chose the close view of the boat yard.  Gazing, drawing, painting in a nice day with fine weather on the seaside like this is very hard because on the other side of me is just wanting to sit on a comfortable chair with a drink and a view.  I kept on regardless.  It was hard work but I felt happy that I had tried!

A little persistence and discipline can go a long way!

Wonderful En Plein Air Painting day at the Royal Akarana Yatch Club, Auckland, NZ

Only You, Watercolour Painting Seascape

It was my turn to suggest a site for en plein air painting.  I chose a park side but was not in favour.  After analysing it, we decided to go somewhere else.  The group preferred the water edge.  It was windy so we turned into the bush on a headland for a sheltered position.  I came to the edge and looked down.  I fell for the scene.  Because we had already wasted an hour, I had to be hurry.  I worked quickly thinking I was playing with chances that it might fail.  After a few minutes I started to enjoy it.  This scene was so peaceful, I chose a simple palette.. the painting finally appeared with surprise.  This would be a place that I would be happy to spend more time dipping my toes in the water..  I credited my friend for her leadership to rescue a near disaster situation otherwise I would go home empty handed. 

Looking at the picture, I think the painting day was a success.  It pays to make quick decision and hang on to any possibilities that one could think of.

Magical moment on the Shore

Summer Breeze, Watercolour Painting Seascape, En Plein Air

The best place to enjoy a hot day is near the sea.  Better still, we found a place with trees which could provide some shade and wind shelter.  Knowing we were coming, the fisherman gave us his spot and move further away.  He insisted to go because he hadn't had any luck. 

I ventured out to the edge of the head land and saw this composition.  I made a quick sketch and came back to my setting.  I tempted to sit right there and painted as suggested by my friend.  There was something telling me that it was not a good idea.  I gazed at the scene and absorbed key details and colour balance then started painting.  Minutes later, the wind came and gave a shuffle.  My hat and board were tossed away.  I quickly ran after and rescued them.  I held tight to the board and kept on painting.  The wind gave another big hustle.  I ran quick and rescue my friend's painting and bag before they get into the sea.  

For colour composition, I use some warm in the sky and water to balance the energetic blue green theme of the shore while maintaining peaceful, fresh, vibrant feel of the picture.  Nearly finished, I looking at the picture again and decided to add a friend to the fisherman.  I think they look good together!   

If I had sat at the head land edge, I would not have had this picture.  It would ended up in the sea along with other bits of my gear!  ..Pew!  The experience tells me always take an extra care when you go near the sea and do listen to my instinct.  What a day!:-) 

Wonderful day at Seaside

A Summer with You, Watercolour Thumbnail Sketch Seascape

One useful and wonderful exercise in watercolour art is doing five minute thumbnail sketch with one brush and maybe three colours and a small piece of paper .  In this exercise, I think I might have been cheating a bit.  I did not count the colours but picking them straight from my palette at the time.  I think it took a minute to think, a minute to draw ( I skipped this) and three minutes to paint.

The scale of this thumbnail sketch is 16cm x 11.5cm ( or roughly 6" x 4").  In this quick sketch I managed to capture atmospheric of a sunny day, glittering light on water, wet sand, wonderful sky with wind and clouds, Rangitoto islands, its reflection and a happy couple!  I think it does not matter how many paintings I have done.  An experience like this always brings a smile to my face.  A fleeting moment, moving sky, dashing light and the joy of wet feet... is captured effortless.  I can't explain.  I can't analyse.  It just happened. It is really a five minutes of magic! 

Wonderful Summer Day, Mission Bay, Auckland, NZ

Late Winter by the Moor, Watercolour Painting Landscape

I had an idea to explore this scene for a long time.  The day came and we set out to paint it.  I like the tranquility and quietness of the moment in between winter and spring.  It is natural and peaceful.  I used strong colours to capture the contrast and stark feeling of seasons reflecting in foliage of the place and the clear fresh air and sky above with its reflection in water... best still there was still time for a warm cup of tea! :-)  I came home with a painting and its fresh air in my lungs.  I was more than happy! :-)

Quiet and peaceful day in the moor

Door to the Sea, Watercolour Painting Seascape

An outdoor painting at Okahu bay, Auckland.  Along NZ shore are those magnificent local trees.  They have the ability to flourish in incredible tough condition near the shore with strong wind and poor soil.  Because of their strength, they are planted to protect the shore from corrosion.  I use strong greens and dark colours umber, sepia, blues (pthalo and ultramarine) for the tree trunks to note the features of these special trees.  Coming in with  is lapping water to wet my feet and the breeze to play with my hair.  I work hard with the brush to capture movement and vibration of the scene in the same time I would love just to be there all day.. dreaming! :-)
Together these elements gave me a strong vibrant refreshing blue green theme which I am going to include it into my favourite colour palettes.  It was beautiful day with wonderful result!

Beautiful, stunning day at the bay

Cows at Headland Edge, Watercolor Painting Landscape with Animals

No one told these cows to go there.  They just go straight there one after another and lined up at the edge of the headland.  They caught my interest.  I followed them at a distance to see what they did.  After I set up my gear under a tree near by.  I started to draw.  Some enjoyed the grass, some actually stopped and gazed at the sun over the sea.  By the look they love the light glittering on the wet grass, they love the view!  I love the light under their round belly!  I think they were rushing to the edge to enjoy the breakfast with sun rise, sea view and fresh grass!  I am amazed that the cows love the same view as I do.  I was pleased and stunned at the result of the painting.  At first I only tried to capture one.  Now I got the whole lot painting direct!...  never know what I can until I try.  The results often surprise me..

A moment later, the cows walked back in line to the opposite end of the field.  Then it's time for my cup of tea!

Afternoon in Tropical Garden, Watercolor Painting Landscape

There were so many possible composition in this tropical garden.  I was attracted to the lily pond, the gan a in full bloom and massive leaves of the tropical plant that might be seen only in the deep jungle of a tropical forest.  There were lovely mama duck and her three duckings enjoying the water.  I love the tropical feel.  Down the stream were trees up to 50 m tall.  The foliage creates an ambience with dazzling tropical flowers.. I wanted them all. I must admit I was a bit bamboozled with the choices and then the battle to take them all in.  Here it is.  I can't keep my eyes off it ..  I can feel how Monet managed to put down the colours of his garden .. I can imagine Van Gogh with the blue iris field.  He had the birds I ave the duck and the ducklings... can't be happier! :-)

Beautiful ambience of sunny afternoon in a gorgeous featured tropical garden

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HOME IN THE BUSH, Watercolor Painting Landscape

A day with flowering pampas grass.  I love the light effect on flowering pampas grass, soft and delightful!
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THE OLD STONES OF CORNWALL PARK, Watercolor Painting Landscape, Auckland, New Zealand

I like the quirky look of the building.  The positioning of the big old tree on the high ground summarizes the philosophy of the park designer.  It looks like the hobbit dwelling.  It was a nice day in the park.  I did a sketch then rough in the colors, tree foliage and stones.  I was a bit terrified even at the thought but I did that before.  Jumping in with a wet brush then figure that out.  It was a good experience!  I threw a few more stones with moss on them to make them look original in the foreground and to strengthen the composition!  Must say I finished details of the stones in mid ground at home, giving time to a cup of tea!

Standing in the magnificent park that was created and donated to the city of Auckland by Sir John Logan Campbell.  A Scotsman who chose to live poor so the country he loved can live rich.  These old stones remind me of the Stone of Scotland.  Through my outdoor paintings in the park, I came to know a great person, John Logan Campbell and the culture he came from.  I know Sir Campbell is just an individual.  I know I only touch a leaf in the forest, the forest of Scotland. 

Wonderful Watercolor Outdoor Painting of  Cornwall Park, Auckland Historic old stone building, 29.5x42cm

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HUA LODGE, Watercolor Painting Landscape, Auckland, New Zealand

It took two en plein air sessions for this painting.  I love quirky cottages, the bold chimney, the dragon scales on the roof, a little princess window with balcony caught my eyes.  Later I learnt the history of the lodge...

Like Acacia cottage, Hua lodge was created by Sir John Logan Campbell.  With great vision, he was able to use business skills to create great assets to the city and the country from a very humble beginning!

Wonderful Watercolor Outdoor Painting of  Cornwall Park, Auckland Historic Hua Lodge, 29.5x42cm

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ACACIA COTTAGE, Watercolor Painting Landscape, Auckland, New Zealand

The simple charm of yester year in the wood, the cottage nested in the landscape of the Cornwall Park enjoys the morning sun.  I managed to capture few activities of passer-by and a few birds.  It was an enjoyable en plein air painting experience!.. later I learnt a bit about the cottage and the original owner...

Acacia cottage was built in 1841 by Sir John Logan Campbell, a Scotsman, and his business partner William Brown.  Sir John offered the occupation of the cottage to William Brown and his wife, while he lived and slept in a tent!  Sir John Logan Campbell later became major of Auckland.  He died unmarried but happy because he gave the park and the lot to the city!  I personally think he had always married to NZ!.  The cottage was originally situated off Shortland Street.  In 1920, the cottage was removed and re-sited in Cornwall park.  It is now the oldest wooden home in Auckland.

Wonderful Watercolor Outdoor Painting of  Cornwall Park, Auckland Historic Acacia Cottage, 29.5x42cm

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LUNCH BREAK AT THE VILLAGE, Watercolor Painting Landscapes, Auckland, New Zealand

A lunch hour in the village was painted to depict the life style of the village.  In main city it would be called the "Rush Hour" when every body has to hurry up or miss the lunch.  The more flexible life style of the village holds its appeal to everyone from new born to retired.  I tried to paint the village atmosphere that enhances the accommodating and compromising life style where everybody feels belong.

Wonderful Watercolor  Painting of  St Heliers, Auckland Historic Seaside village, 29.5x42cm

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A MORNING IN THE WOODS, Watercolor Painting Landscapes, Auckland, New Zealand

I love the feeling of being in the forest with great old trees.  While we were painting, a walker came and sat with a dog.  He picked up a stick and threw to get the dog playing.  But the dog refused.  Dogs were not allowed in the woods.  The dog owner called the dog to come to him.  The dog did not come.  It went to the edge of the woods and started calling!  The dog loves the woods so much that it calls out loud “ Woof! Woof!... I want to go into the woods!”.  I think that’s what I heard.  Among mature NZ natives of Dingle Dell is a beautiful cabbage tree.  The green leave curtains of willow trees give great light effect.  It's another enjoyable en plein air experience!

Wonderful Watercolor Outdoor Painting of  Dingle Dell of St Heliers,  
Seaside village, Auckland Reserve, 29.5x42cm

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