RM3,000 plus for Yong Mun Sen's Work?

I was surprised when I found out that this piece of Yong Mun Sen's work is priced at a remarkable USD1,200. What a bargain, don't you think? At the current coversion rate of RM3.30 to USD1.00, it works out to be about RM3, 960. From the information I gathered, this piece was that of a Chinese Temple drawn in 1948. A signature imprint was also show. I think Malaysian galleries, better still - the National Art Gallery, should make a purchase of it. It's our national trasure! For those who don't know Yong Mun Sen, he was one of the pioneers of Malaysian art and among his famed peers was Abdullah Ariff. Mun Sen's signature.

Do you know the artist who drew this?

Reader KK sent me these three watercolour pieces. They are done in Malacca if I am not mistaken. If anyone has seen similar works, please get in touch with me. I would like to find out more about this watercolourist. According to KK, the name of the artist is Arthur PY Ting. Could it be Arthur Teng? I am just guessing. The latter is the renowned photographer. I don't know if he did any painting. For what it's worth, it could be a Malacca artist by similar name. Let me know if you know the artist. Thank you.

The Long and short of portraits in watercolours

Master watercolourist Long Thien Shih was spotted drawing the portrait of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the recently concluded Asean Bazaar at the Conlay Handicraft Centre in Kuala Lumpur recently. Portraiture is considered one of the most challenging in the aqua medium but in the hands of someone as skilled as Long, the execution appeared like a breezy cruise and corrections were similarly easy as 1-2-3. The product, as you can see, is simply marvellous. (If you are interested in portraits, you may reach Long at 019-2453049)

Meet batik artist GM Choo

I stumbled upon Mr GM Choo from Johor at the Batik Craft Exhibition and Sale at the Conlay Crafts centre recently. Sale was slow, so Choo availed himself to painting some miniatures using batik colours, in the style of watercolour painting, on paper. Here I feature Choo at work and one of the scenes he painted. This is of a kampung scene, reminiscent of those done by the pioneer artists such as AB Ibrahim and Yong Mun Sen. Choo says that he does mostly acrylics and oil although I only saw his batik work on display for sale there. His watercolour miniatures are also interesting and the slightly larger than postcard sized pieces painted that day were going for RM60 a piece, quite a bargain.

Drawing Landscape in Pencil

This book's title is self explanatory. But the fact that it was a reprint of the original by Frank Rines made it special. I don;t know why anyone would want to reprint a book published twenty over years ago is quite mind boggling unless it is a very good book. And I found out that it indeed is. Landscape Drawing in Pencil by Frank Rines is a must read if you want to find out how the old masters do it. The book starts off with the types of pencils to use and how you should handle each. Rines even teaches you how to sharpen the pencils and what strokes to use (see below) to create what texture that possibly best represents your subject matter. From there on, there are pages and pages of drawings the artist did and you will learn from keen observation how he handle landscape - from trees to water, and quite a number of marine drawings as well. If you are a beginning artist, I think you will need to draw well before you can even paint well. Well, this is the book you should check out. Landscape Drawing in Pencil (Dover Books on Art Instruction) is available from Amazon.

Art Friend is moving!

If you have been frequenting Art Friend (art shop) in UE3, you might like to know that it is moving out. Last day there is Aug 15. There on, it will be at the Gardens, near MidValley Megamall. Business at UE3 had be slow, I was told. If you need art materials, don't go to UE3 after Aug 15.

Teh Siew Joo - My Secret Garden

Flowers in Bloom Series 3, Watercolour Acclaimed Malaysian watercolourist Teh Siew Joo is exhibition 50 of his works at the NN Gallery in Jalan Ampang till end of June. One of Malaysia’s pioneer watercolourist and floral painter, Teh's works have been collected widely. In this show, treat your senses to his orchids, hibiscus, roses and a number of local flora. NN Gallery is located at 53A & 56 Jalan Sulaiman 1, Taman Ampang Hilir. Opening hours:9am-6m Mon-Sat; Closed Sun & Public Holiday For directions, call: 03-4270 6588

Watercolour Artists Database Project

I intend to start a database for Malaysian watercolourists in the hope of promoting their work as well as gathering more information about their activities. Currently, I already have compiled over 50 artists whose pictures and works came from various sources. If you are a watercolourist, amateur or professional, and would like to be in this database, please write to me at editor@malaysian-watercolours.com. The function of this database is: a) Promote Malaysian Watercolourists/Artists b) Promote their Art Work c) Allow galleries worldwide seeking their work to contact them. To find out more or be included in this project, send me your CV and a photo of yourself. If you have a current work, include that too. Make your digital files in jpg format, about 400px size. If you already have a website, include that URL too. Thank you. swee

Maamor Jantan's Painting Workshop

Malaysian watercolourist Maamor Jantan will be organising a watercolour painting workshop for adults at the Artists Colony, Malaysian Crafts Complex at Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur. Anyone can join this class but you will have to bring your own drawing paper, watercolour and other equipment. This class is suitable for beginners as well as the experienced who wants to pick up watercolour again. For details, email me here Classes will be held outdoors at the Galeri Teratai. BELOW: Two of Maamor's unique works.

Chang Fee Ming - the Terengganu boy who made it big

YEAR 2000, SO WHAT? 1998-99 (56 x 76 cm) - One of Fee Ming's more famous works. I met Chang Fee Ming several times in my quest for artistic knowledge and one of these was his show at the Petronas Gallery - of the Mekong series. Another was during one of the Class Art sessions at the same gallery back in 2002. Not many artists have gone the distance Fee Ming has, whether in Malaysia or around the world. In fact, a lot can be attributed to him when we talk of Malaysian watercolours. His works have elevated that of Malaysian watercolours and the recognitions he received out there have inspired many to follow his path. This self-taught artist in watercolour has shown how much determination and pure hard work can make a whole world of difference. His works, some of which are displayed at his site www.changfeeming.net, gives an insight into the artist's perception of life itself, particularly the fabric of Malaysian society in his earlier works. What makes Fee Ming special is his technique and often my friends who are non-artists mistaken his work for oil or even acrylic until I pointed out Fee Ming's works are purely in watercolours. If you like Fee Ming's works, he has a gallery shop in Kuala Terengganu named Teratai, along Kampung China, the main thoroughfare of this coastal town. His prints in the form of postcards are available at the Petronas Gallery's art shoppe. So are some of Fee Ming's catalogue of his previous exhibitions.

Marine Subjects By A Fine Seafarer

I knew John through a watercolour forum and I must say I am amazed by his marine subjects, particularly boats and ships and seascapes. Not many artists know how to execute this well and I will tell you why. Unlike most subjects are usually still or nearly still, as in landscapes, save for the moving sunlight and shadows, the sea is one of the most difficult to depict simply because waves are in constant motion. If there is a boat or a ship, even if it is nicely docked, it is never easy to paint - more so in watercolour, given other factors affecting the composition such as sunlight etc. Here you can see how John excel in his art, particularly the atmospherics. Take for instance the piece Calm Before The Storm - Worried Fishing Smacks. Look at how the artist leave some parts of the last lights peering from the storming trooping clouds. John's exposure to the sea during his career at the Royal Navy certainly helps a lot in his artictic journey. And there are many of his works at his online gallery. You cannot paint something which you don't know like the back of your palm, and this is very true here. I bet John knew which swell was coming by the sound of the lapping waves. If you love marine subjects, I suggest you look up John's gallery here

Paint with Maamor

It was an enlightening Boxing Day, Dec 26. Former classmates of Mr Maamor Jantan's (picture) course at National Art Gallery (which is now closed for renovation) met up to have an outdoor painting session at the Jalan Conlay Craft Centre's Artists' Colony. I won't show you what we drew but I will show you what the master drew. One of them is a picture I took of the scenery. The other, Maamor's characteristic piece - a sketch of course. This painting was done under a pergola, looking out from the north side of the centre. It is a good place to paint and of many efforts the Government has done towards promoting arts, this is one of the best areas - quiet and inspiring. It's the least the government could do to help struggling artists. Perhaps the Laman Seni which was stopped because the National Art Gallery is undergoing repairs can be held here. This is one perfect place and centrally easily accessible. Hopefully our Minister takes note of this aspect. There are not many good places left for the arts, especially fine art. Just look at the photo and tell me you dont agree with me that this is one great place to paint to your heart's content.

Underwater Magic

This is the work of Ajis Mohamad, Malaysia's foremost underwater scenery artist. Ajis's work has a magical quality about it and if you have not dived before, you will not be able to fathom the realistic aspscts of his intricate pieces. This is one of his unfinished underwater scenes which I came across at Artists Colony at Conlay Craft Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Look at the turtle which appears to be gliding through the crystal clear water with sunlight streaming through from above. On the sandy bottom, reflections of light created by the undulating surface of the crystal clear water is caught in this intricate oil piece. Ajis can be found at the Artists Colony on most days when he doesn't go diving. You can learn more about this artist here..

Meet Rafie Abdul Rahman - The Smiling Artist

I got to know En Rafie a year ago when I assisted him in putting up his stall at the monthly art bazaar - Laman Seni - at the National Art Gallery. I was attracted to his 'theoretically-correct' watercolours and we spent sometime discussing art, particularly watercolours. His children having grown up, he now has more time on his hands to paint. He retired from his profession as a building supervisor several years ago, I was told. Today, he paints, exhibits and gives classes to children and adult. En Rafie is a self-trained artist with lots of experience. From the old school, his works have been collected by renowned galleries. Apart from watercolours, he also does Chinese brush and oils. However, I find that his watercolour pieces are his best and remarkably vibrant. As you can see from this piece which he called 'Jungle Scene' which he painted while manning his stall at Putrajaya's Laman Seni recently. The painting, according to him, was almost spoilt but despite it being a watercolour medium, his vast experience has managed to salvage it and turn it into an enviable work of art. En Rafie also gives watercolour classes and if you like to be under his tutelage, let me know.

Where can you get good watercolour materials?

IF you have been browsing the local art supplies market, I am sure you have narrowed down to two cities where you can get good watercolours stuff. One is Penang and another, Kuala Lumpur. However, Kuala Lumpur, unlike Penang, has been traditionally disadvantaged by the limited by the number of good art suppliers. Recently, however, I was pleasantly surprised by the emergence of another art shop in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Art Friend, located at the UE3 complex along Jalan Loke Yew, towards Cheras side, is the latest addition to the local art supply scene. I have been to this place and checked out some of the prices of material, from paper to watercolours. And I think they are reasonably priced here. If you are a fan of Daler-Rowney, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the range available here, especially where watercolours are concerned. Apart from the wide range of pan-colours, it also sells tubes - and the price is pretty competitive at below RM7.00 for the student colours. Despite the rise in other prices, I am glad to say, this shop has decided to keep prices low for artists who are already hard hit by the price hikes in their lives. Art Friend too has other items like special water buckets (from RM5.00 to RM15.00), box-easels from RM60 above, papers of various poundage and prices, and other watercolour implements. And what makes it unique, Art Friend also sells other art stuff, from painting to, well, wall painting. Crafts implements are also sold here. There are other art-related materials sold here, from wall stencils to fashion beads. You will be amazed. And the good thing is, the prices are kept low. And if there is one artist's friend, then it is Art Friend - and hopefully it stays that way.

Make your own water container

Don't we all wish we have a compartmentalised water container that we can keep our brushes (in water) in one place and the dipping water free of them? Well, I have come up with this piece which I find pretty useful. And I am going to teach you how to make it. It does not require extensive knowledge nor cost a lot. I think where ever you are, chances are that you can find the materials - a used detergent container (pictured left) and the finished product at left. Get a plastic container as shown. Cut the tops off in two areas. First cut the 'handle' area at the back which will serve as a brush holding area. The cut out the bigger front section for you to dip your brushes, and you will have an organiser-water container. See the picture at right. Note that the brushes will be dipped in the same pool of water and some of you may not like it. I feel that brushes kept in water helps to keep the hairs soft and supple. This simple contraption is not only cheap but hardy and functional as well. Hope you will find it as useful as I have.

Water Containers - to hold water for your colours!

If you painting in the studio, you can have anything as your water container if you wish. From old jam bottles to expensive water troughs. As for me, I use an old honey bucket which is made of plastic. It is hardy and has a nice little handle to carry when filled with water. For outdoor, however, I used a foldable bucket (picture at left). It is about 5 inches in diameter and can be folded like an accordion. This makes it easy for me to fold into my painting case - in which I also store my papers, paint, brushes and other stationery - including a towel. However, I think you can make some real handy water containers and you dont have to spend money on expensive troughs if you want to paint in watercolours. I have made some for friends using old PET bottles (those that are used to store cordials). Just cut the top third off the main body and handle and you will have two usesful areas. The smaller aperture of the handle can be used to prop up your brushes in between brush changes while the bigger aperture (the body of the bottle) affords you with the ease of dipping and cleaning your brushes.

Outdoor Painting - What do you take along?

One of the biggest problems - if you can see it as such - facing outdoor watercolourists is the use of water containers. Unlike painting in the comforts of a studio, you have to equip yourself with more things and carrying them can be quite a task. When the bug bites me and I itch to go outdoors to paint, I usually bring along as few things as I can. The journey is made light and easy. My pack includes one paintaing case, a foldable chair and a mini beach umbrella. The painting case, as you can see in the picture (Top: showing the inside of the case; Bottom: the cover which is an easel itself). Within its small confines, I stuff my towel, a foldable water container, my brush, clotch pencil (fatter version of the mechanical pencil), putty eraser and painting palette containing paint, and small sized papers that I can squeeze into the case. And if I need to do bigger paintings, I will capture the scenery of the moment using my digital camera which I can easily download and use it as reference material later. What is your outdoor arsenal?

One Brush does it all

When I started painting again, I met one veteran artist who graduated from St Martin's back in the 60s. He was then giving painting workshops at the National Art Gallery. I enrolled in that workshop just to rekindle my interest in watercolour after such a long break. I could never forget the first day I met my mentor in the class. I had brought a whole bagful of expensive brushes and painting papers. During the first lesson, we were asked to draw still life. As we struggled with our expensive brushes, the mentor also did his piece. As we flitted back and forth changing brushes, he quietly put the strokes onto paper - a piece from a cheap art block. I noticed that he was using a brush as thick as an adult's thumb - a Chinese calligraphy wolf-hair brush. And using that one brush, my mentor showed full control of his strokes, from painting washes to fine hairline streaks. When I asked him why did he use only one brush? He replied: "Too lazy to change brushes." How did he master the one brush technique? He said: "Make a habit out of it and you can." Since then, I have used not more than one brush whenever I paint each piece. And the same advice I have given to my children and have painted and won prizes at school levels. Here is the brush I use. It has been with me for over three years and cost less than USD10. The head holds lots of water for good and even washes and there is a small hanging thread for me to hang up the brush for drying when not in use. It measures slightly over 9 inches (see picture) and has a head of about 1.5 inches long. It is about half an inch in diameter and the hair is very resilient, almost sable-like, but only at a fraction of the cost. How do you paint? How many brushes do you use? Maybe you can share with me.