Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

We had this new model I missed the first session, had to catch up to paint this portrait in three hours. She sat stable, had a little Mona Lisa smile kind of expression on her face. Continued to painting in duotone, might touch up later. (March 22 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)

I thought my study was done after a 3-hour session, because we had a different model the following week. Glad that this model came back, and we could continue finishing work on his portrait study.  The light on his face had changed, so did his position.  Not only spent 3 hours correcting my work, totally invested more than 10 hours for this 12"x16" work.  And I have to wait for the painting to dry a little bit to see if I am satisfied with the result.  I worked in duotone, so it is challenging in a different way.  (March 8 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)

Pray for World Peace !I brought my portrait study for retouching today. Surprised to see a different model, he was our evening live model for drawing class. Lucky I brought a new canvas panel to work on. Our model was a new one, and he had a little difficult time to stand still. I continued to use two colors, and it was a good exercise session. (March 1 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)

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 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)

One of our Chinese artist masters, Eric Guan, has a studio in Palo Alto. When he wants to paint a model he invites other great painter friends paint with him. Another artist friend, she helps to organize and schedule models for us. We all appreciate the great opportunity of painting together and learning from masters. The other day I took Eric's advice that I should focus on my own style. Because painting with others, it is quite easy to copy each other. Today's model she was young and beautiful. Even though I painted next to Eric, I decided only to use two colors. Three hours painting together, we were all happy with our own results. I know that I have a lot of improvements to make, but I wasn't distracted by other's style. (January 19 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)

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)

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)

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)

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...