Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Nice weather, certainly it was getting warmer. I went back to Alviso Marina to paint a similar scene to one I did years ago. My annual allergies have started to bother me, so I used the mask for protection even outdoors. There are many paintable and historical subjects that I'd like to paint in Alviso.  I took advise from another artist that suggested toning down the colors, not easy but I practiced.  After my work done, I checked around and found my mechanical pencil on the ground.  Yes, I've learned my lesson, always double check before leaving my painting spot. (February 28 2022 )

Haven't painted outdoors as often as I used to do, instead spent a lot of time working on figurative painting in studio. Today I decided only drive10 miles to find a spot to paint, that way I could save a little more time instead of driving on the road. It was another factory I planned to paint for a long time. Parked my car in an apartment building next to the 7-eleven, though it wasn't a quiet spot. Many trucks drove by, airplanes flew ahead, pollution was in the air. I didn't even remember to bring my mask... After a while, I started to think positively how lucky I was to be here to paint.  Some people in other countries have to suffer from a war, they must be terrified...(February 25 2022 )

I don't even remember the last time I did a male portrait study. Today we had the same model that did our previous short pose session, he was a very good model who was Egyptian from Boston, stayed still. I could see his nose and mouth area, because he wore a plastic transparent mask, but all the reflection made me confused. So I had to work with a photo reference. Went home, continued working on the same portrait for two more hours. Practice is not fun, but it a must be done.  (February 22, 24 2022)

After a 3-hour session of portrait study, continued to attend another 3-hour session of figurative drawing. Felt starving and tired…(February 22 2022 )

Just realized that I hadn't gone out painting for a week this morning - too much figurative study in studio. Also my annual allergies have started acting up again. Didn't go too far. I found this greenhouse tent a long time ago and today I got to paint it. After my stuff was set up, I saw two older ladies walking toward me, and the language they were speaking sounded like Russian. I said "Hello" and asked them if they were Russian. They responded that yes they were. Their faces were so interesting, instantly I thought they both could be our portrait models. I dug out my business card and passed it to one of the ladies, and told them that we could pay them if they wanted to be our models. I didn't really understand what she said, but she mentioned her daughter and her hands gestured throwing the business card away. Hahaha, I hope she does contact me and they can be models for us. I really only mean to paint their portraits. (February 18 2022)

Today's study was our favorite model Grace.  Not only had we prepared many costumes for her, one of the artists prepared many other things for her like a dress, hair bands, pillow, cloth for different backdrops or covers. I helped her to unload those, took many rounds back forth from car to the studio.  she helped Grace to dress up and styled her hair too.  A couple of master oil painters came from over one to three hours driving distance.  Very precious to paint with them, enjoyed watching what they paint from their perspective. One hour break for lunch, and we continued painting.  Many paintings came out fresh and very beautiful, not mine, I guess it is the process of learning... (February 16 2022)

When saw the model's name was a male on the list, I almost didn't want to go the class because I know that I can't draw male figure well. After a long hesitation, I finally decided to go.  I was late, but I was so glad I went.  What a professional model, not only he had built up his body well, also his poses were stable.  I enjoyed drawing the session well. (February 15 2022)

So far the bottom right is the first photo (captured outdoors) after 9 hours working at the studio, and over an hour working on it at home.  The second photo was the beginning part, 6 hours. We were very lucky for having this beautiful and inspiring model, she is an artist herself, and going to study at the Rhode Island School of Design next semester.   Also, there were several Chinese masters painting this model with us together.  We were able to watch and learn their process how they start and finish their paintings.  They shared their experiences, gave us some guidance.  And they gave a little demo for correcting our work.  I am very grateful for this live-model session, though I was a little bit too greedy - I used an 18"x24"canvas panel, the largest allowed for painting a live model, and it was challenging in duotone.   (February 7 and February 9 2022)

Today was a lovely day, especially outdoors, there was no wind and it was gorgeous weather. Met friends and painted together at this nice location. Beautiful yellow mustard plants were already blooming, apricot trees didn't even have buds or leaves. We could see a church in the distance, and we all used our hatchback doors as umbrellas to make shade for painting. The church bell rang once an hour, the peacefulness made me wonder if I were in the countryside somewhere in Europe. Hahaha, miss travelling a lot...(February 10 2022)

Tonight's drawing class was fully booked.  The model's pose was classical and stable, very professional. I am very sure that she wasn't only my favorite model, everyone likes her.  Changed to use the soft kind charcoals, but they break so easily.  I have to change my habits to draw, usually I draw with my energy, now I have to hold my energy to draw.  So much to learn and practice!  (February 8 2022)

It is the first day of our Chinese New Year.  After my hesitation as to whether I should go painting, I finally decided to follow my passion and go paint.  Though in our culture we celebrate new year for 15 days usually, lifestyle has to be adapted to living in a different culture.  Our model was a very tall and beautiful professional African American model, she was from a very artsy San Jose family.  She sat very still and had kept her facial expression too.  I'm still trying to work on my duotone style in oil, struggling through for 3 hours.  Our model liked the result, it made me happy. (February 1 2022)

I was a little bit behind the schedule this morning, rushed out of the door, drove up the winding road to the location. It was quite windy and cold, my first time painting there, only hiked nearby once years ago.  I set up my stuff and painted behind the trees and shrubs, thought they could help me to block the  wind.  Not! I had to hold my easel with one hand while painting.  There were many small branches and leaves that dropped onto my painting.  How could I not check the weather?  I didn't stop when my painting looked good enough, but kept adding more dark colors.  It was just practicing I told myself.  Then, I couldn't find the parking lot, because I was focused on my painting, I totally forgot how to get back.  Lucky there was another artist who stopped her sketching and walked me half way.  We had a nice conversation chatting about Chinese New Year.  I kept walking, suddenly saw her sketching again... I realized that I forgot the road she showed me, and walked almost in

Today is our Chinese New Year, I was hesitant as to whether I should go painting. In China, we celebrate our new year for 15 days, it is our culture... After a second thought I went to an afternoon portrait session and evening figure drawing session. Both were 3 hours, there was a one hour break in between. I felt a little tired already when the evening drawing session started. Usually I stand up paint and draw, but I chose to sit down and save my energy. Several other Chinese artists were there too. Truly we all work hard, even on our new year's day. I tried to use different charcoals to get a different result. (February 1 2022)