Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

One of the artists suggested to that I start a new painting of the model after the long pose session last week. So I changed the painting angle of the model for this session. A lady artist came to me and told me that my work looked like an impressionist French female artist's work, but she couldn't remember her name. I wonder who that was? I thought my work looked more like expressionism. And I recently switched back to my original style plus several month practice. Glad that several artists told me they liked it. We had two different female models worked for us during the evening figure drawings. The second one was new to me. One of my artist friend she brought a book teach how to draw to me, after she saw me struggling through the session last Tuesday. How sweet of her, she even instructed me how to go through the book during our break. Always treasure friendship, who doesn't?  (June 14 2022)

A formal ballerina was our long post live model today.  She brought a three sit chair with her and her point shoes on her feet.  I was a little bit earlier, but it was hard to get a good painting spot.  Her position was lying down, very beautiful and elegant, but difficult.  Painting through with struggle for the form and corrected the figure through, three hours wasn't long enough.  Not sure I should continue to correct this one, or start over again next session. (June 16 2022)

Arrived at the studio on time, there were a lot of people there already.  But different artists had different opinions about the model's pose.  Of course they had their reasons, color, lighting, a good angle to see the model, or to avoid being blocked by someone in front.  It took more than 10 minutes before the model was settled.  She wasn't a new model, but it was my first time to study on her.  I was trying my own way to paint, which was new to me.  I stopped painting this way for a while, just because of influence from others in the studio.  I never had classical art training, but I have my own way to be creative.  There is never  enough time, I realized that my work had a little proportion issue after the session was over.  Shall I correct it next session, or shall I start a new one? Always like the short pose session, even if it is in the evening.  Tonight's model was an Indian American guy.  he was a good model.  We...

Learned from previous sessions, I brought two canvas panels to the art center, one was 12"x16", the other was 16"x20". After a short hesitation, I chose the smaller size. Matt was a new model for me, he looked like an American Indian, I guessed but didn't ask. Interesting lighting on his body, I barely saw his face, almost completely dark from the angle I painted. I do not usually paint so small, don't even have the smallest brushes.  I could not manage to have his whole body fit on the canvas, otherwise I would have a difficult time to paint it without smaller brushes. He is a good model, but I am not sure if I will attend the second session next week. Usually the pose of the model and lighting are never quite the same.  ( June 2 2022)

  We all love this model, she was fun and happy. Most of models look sleepy or tired after an hour or two, she was always smile or laughing. If we weren't struggling painting, might want to know what she was thinking of. She must be a very positive person. (March 24 and March 31 2022) I knew that I should highlight a little bit after the 2 sessions. This 16"x20" figurative panel sat on a stool in my kitchen for weeks.  Finally I did a little retouch, though it might be need more, but I thought it could be finished up right now...  (April 11 2022)

Painted two session of the male live mode on a panel 16"x20", felt too small to work on. The second session spent most of time to correct the light and model position, because it couldn't be the same. This is another study of figure and duotone, I won't able to finish it.(March 10 & 17 2022)

We had a nice model today, and I purposely got a very end spot to paint her from the back. Unfortunately, she was set up under a red light, and purple cloth covered the chair, felt like in a red light district. I continued to paint by using duotone, only using a 12"x16" panel. She won't be back next session so this is it. (March 3 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)

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)

It was the first figure painting session I managed to go to. I thought that new year with a new start and I should fucus on a style to paint. I had no idea how I could overlook the time, I was late. Rushed into the session started my sketch loosely which I liked. Supposed to continue painting that way. After each break, I realized that my painting was going back my old style. (January 13 2022)

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)

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)

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)

The first 3-hour session female live model work in progress... 16"x20" canvas panel. #2 Another artist suggested to stop. #4 was captured outdoors. Hours chatting with another long time artist friend we didn't really see and talk to each other, arrived home after 9pm, and discovered that I am invited to the Capitola Plein Air Event next week. Wish me luck!  (October 28 2021)

Continued to paint this long pose from last week yesterday, Oct 21. Our model was required to wear a mask, so were we... Corrected a little bit of the shape.  Found out that her head wasn't "plugged" onto her body well, so her face had to be erased this morning, lol...  I didn't paint the model's head at first as she was wearing a mask, and I don't think she looked perfect as a female holding onto that long stick as well.  I got to practice painting anyway.  The first three hours Oct. 14 went smoothly, I was happy with the most of body work.

Two sessions of live model study in oil, each session is three hours. September 30 and October 7 2021. Working on 16"x20 canvas panel, the angle of the model was super hard to work with. During the first session I measured the model carefully from the "real" prospective, and I wasn't happy with the result. It didn't look artistic with a big head in front. Art is not about mathematics measurement, it is about an Artists own expression. Went back to work on my painting next session, I focused on my whole design, followed my own understanding of beauty to correct and created my painting - my visual language. At least so far I felt the painting had a big improvement. Still need to work on her hand and values...

Today's 3-hour session live model study, painted on another used panel 18"x14". The top left was captured outdoors. The model is an artist herself, she really understands how to stay still. Working on a larger used panel was easier, and I liked the background color showing through from the previous painting, not sure if I should painted it over again... Going to another session to complete the painting, wish me luck! (September 16 2021)  Photos were taken from the first session. In today's 3-hour session I continued to work on this work from last week.  The model did not have her make-up on like last week. She told me that she was worried the make-up would melt because it was too hot today.  Never mind, she was a very good model and showed us consistent position to last week.  Glad that I was able to finish the painting.  Only a few retouches when the paint will be dry.  Can't wait for the next session. (September 23, 2021)

Today's 3-hour live model session. Even a very experienced model still changes position, and the light changed too. I should have followed my original plan to retouch the work I did from last week only. Instead, I tried to correct the painting. But it was great to meet a Chinese master painter. Got some feedback from him, and reconnect my expression of feeling, then time was up. Couldn't finish it, felt frustrated...  

Today's 3-hour session live model oil painting.  Getting better for managing time.  Not sure if I should start a new one for the next section, or if I should work on the same one to add more details? The light indoors and outdoors can make the same painting looks so different.  I like outdoors' lighting, it needs to be retouched.

  Today's 3-hour session live model oil painting session. Painted on a previously used panel 9"x12". Managed time better than last time. Tried to take reference photos for the record during each break. Needs some retouch. The light indoors and outdoors can make the same painting look so different.  Or I should say that any different environment can make the same the same thing look different.  Enjoyed doing it!  (August 31 2021)