Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Might be my last Plein Air painting in 2021. Russian Plein Air artists painting in the snow inspired me. It was only 46 degrees in the morning, but clear after many days of rain. I thought I could paint outdoors, but I wasn't brave enough, so I painted inside my car instead.  Sun came out, got warm inside the car, I had to open my window.  Liked the atmosphere, reminded me of an east coast small town train station. (December 30 2021)

One of my favorite drawing exercises is face study. I prefer studying on different people and try to express the character of each one. Most models are trained to not showing emotion, but with people you know or are getting to know express their feelings while they are chatting or talking, that is what I try to catch. Today most of them they were talking about their kitchen tools. In few minutes I tried my best to draw them, challenging and fun! Maybe these are my last drawings in 2021.

Last Tuesday's (right) and yesterday's (left) Both were 3-hour session live male model oil studies. The model was kind to pose next to my work last Tuesday. Yesterday I worked with a group of  Chinese professionals. A couple of them were master oil painters. Tried to work on new ideas inspired by them, but it didn't look right... Then we had a party for celebrating the shortest daylight in the evening! (December 21 2021) )

Always wanted to join this small group of artists to practice on a portrait. Finally I made it before the New Year. The good benefit was to get feedback immediately when each of us got stuck at a certain point. Because we stare too long at our own work. Like today, I could not tell why my painting didn't work the way I painted it. One of the artists told me that the value wasn't correct. So I worked on values, then I saw the improvement. Liked her gesture, but it wasn't in the same position after each break. Painted on an used canvas 12"x16". Upleft was captured outdoors.  (December 20 2021)

Decided to paint the downtown cityscape, went to and painted at the same spot where I painted when I just started Plein Air. Could not find the original image from back then.  Today was a little chilly, but felt warm in sun. I saw a lot of people in the street and some stopped by and gave me more compliments for my painting then I expecting, might be during the holiday season... Good exercise.  It was the first one I did outdoors this month, hopefully it isn't the last one of this year, but it will rain next week. (December 17 2021)

It was the last studio session of the year, and we all brought some snacks to the studio for a symbolic party during the break outdoors. Our model was Rita, she was another good one too! We all have painted her many times, I think I've painted her at least three or four times. Her mask was on during the session.  (December 16 2021)

After a 3 hour portrait study session, we had to wait at the art center for one and half hours for the evening short pose session. Some other artists brought their own dinner, I only had a banana and some seaweed snack. Though I was tired, it was worth the wait to draw one of my favorite models, Emily. Her skin tone and classical poses remind me of Greek statues. She is very still and cares position of every finger.  It was very good session and also the last one of the year. During the break we had little celebration, I had cheese, figs and a glass of beer. Will miss this class during the break for sure. (December 14 2021)

Finally it started to rain! No one could ever complain a little bit, because California is desperate for it. I wanted to join my favorite morning sketch group. It took me more than twenty minutes to reset it up, that was a little annoying, but I was happy to draw with old and new friends. I could see myself that I have made a little improvement after practicing drawing with live models. Definitely I will try to catch up more.  (December 13 2021)

Because I am Chinese, thought it could be easier for me to draw an Asian female live model. The result was that I knew it was not as easy as I thought. Fewer minutes enjoyed drawing and struggling through for each pose, hahah... (December 7 2021)

Time flies, already December of the year!  It has been over one month since I did a three-hour session of an oil live model study.  The same model from the previous session.  I painted her from a different angle.  Tried to remind myself to paint loosely without too much care.  I like the new gray paper I just bought, the tones came out very efficiently.  (December 2 2021)

Short Pose drawings last night. Different model had a different body language. Challenging to draw fast and express the differences. Always enjoy Tuesday evening live model drawings.  Felt like I want to catchup for decades' of practice, lol...