Finally finished: Road to Cavalry

Painting inspired by a trip to Lanyu, small tropical island near the cost of Taiwan.

 

Oil on canvas, 150x85cm, April 2015

Finally finished: Yangminshan

This was the view from my dormitory while I was studying art in Taipei.

Oil on canvas, 150x85cm, April 2015

And the original sketch for it.

Plein air sketch, Oil on canvas. 38x28cm, May 2014

Finally finished: After Dusk

After dusk. Oil on canvas, 180x100cm, April 2015
Finished and ready for the graduation show.

Finally finished: Into nowhere

Finnaly finished. Oil on canvas. 150x80cm. March 2015

Above Prague, part 1

Weather studies from January to March 2015.

Twilight in the Cemetery

How to paint that mysterious time between day and night? Cameras are unable to capture it nor did I see many artworks that would manage to do it. Shapes dissolve, colors shift, everything changes so quickly at that time. I think figuring this out shall be my long term goal.

Twilight in the Cemetery – Sketch. Oil on canvas, 60x35cm, March 2015

 

 

Plein air in the famous cemetery in Prague.

I was so fascinated by the bare trees above ancient tombs of Olsanske cemetery. These trees, not the graves are what actually make the place so creepy.

Oil on board, 36x44cm, February 2015

When you compare the two paintings you can notice that I made some small changes after I returned to the studio.

Sketches from Czech Republic

Bunch of random observational sketches I made while wandering around my country.

 

Ink paintings from Taiwan

These are some of the Chinese ink paintings I did while I was studying in Taiwan.

Into Darkness – insight into the painting process

Enjoy some insight into what had to be done to finish this painting.

I was always captivated by the absorbing darkness of dense pine forest. When you stand on the right spot, it almost feels like it is going to devour you. I wanted to paint that thing. And this summer, I finally got around to do that. Bellow is a moderate size oil study. I also took lot of photos for aid.

 

The idea I had in mind was little bit different though. So I did what I always do when I want to do some deep exploration – digital painting. This was the sketch that I decided to go with.

 

And this image is a snapshot of what I painted after the first session. My goal is always to fill the canvas as soon as possible, this was also the case.

 

And the final painting. Executed in oils on 150x100cm canvas. You can see that I made some further changes in composition along the way.

 

Sketches from Venice

Best things in Venice.

I’ve just returned from a week long trip to Venice and well, I think I saw everyting. 🙂

So I would like to share with you couple of things that blew my mind most there.

Obviously Palazzo Duccale – middle age architectural marvel and Biblioteca Marciana, another wonderful sight. (both on the photo)

Santa Maria Della Salute. This is classic – a triumph of barrock architecture. If you stand in front of it you will understand why.

Tizian’s dark and violent Martyrdom of st. Lawrence …. it’s in Chiesa dei Gesuaty and it seems that most tourist are not aware of it at all. You will have all the time in the world to contemplate this splendid piece there!

Tintoretto in Madonna dell’Orto. Unbelievable composition. Again, it’s far from main roads so you can have nice quiet moment to enjoy this!

Bellini in Galleria dell Accademia. Giovanni Bellini was true master of color. You can feel it when you see this with your own eyes in Academia. Other famous altarpiece is in Zaccaria and is at least the same quality.

Tintorentto and Tizian in Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

Don’t skip this museum. Tintorento decorated it’s walls and ceilings with 66 paintings, inculding his greatest masterpieces! You will also see a wonderful painting by Titian there.

Sketches from Taiwan 5

Last installment of Taiwanese ink sketches. This 4 months long trip was definitely life changing experience. I will share more soon.

Oils from Taiwan

These are oil paintings I brought back from Taiwan.

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Sketches from Taiwan 4

Fourth and not yet last installment of Taiwan sketches. I must say that ink has really become my new favourite medium for sketching both outside and in the studio.