Cross the Bridge 承德 避暑山莊

 Last year we visited the Royal Summer Resort in Chengde of China that is about 3-hour bus ride north from Beijing.  This beautiful and spacious resort was used by the royal family in the Qing Dynasty during 1500~1900 AD in China.  Now this place is open for public.  It has rivers, lakes, bridges, hot springs, gardens, meadows, and many historical buildings.  This place is an ideal destination for artists who can yield many paintings with all subject matters.   Here is a view from the hot spring.  Don't you just want to cross the bridge to check out the pretty flowers on the other side of the water?

Oil on canvas, 20x24

Catch the Wave 戲水

 I've painted this little girl who was playing at the Catalina beach a while back.  I painted her again this time in a different composition plus 2 sea birds.   

Oil on canvas board, 12x9

White Shawl 白披肩

 Jean modeled again for us on the third day of our workshop with Fongwei Liu.  Here I did a figure of her and hoped to capture the elegance of this beautiful lady. 

Oil on canvas board, 16x12

Jonathan 年青人

 On the second day of our workshop with Fongwei Liu the supposed to be model did not show up, the workshop organizer, Qiang Huang, ask his son Jonathan as the sub.  Jonathan is an energitic 15-year-old young fellow.  He sat well for us, but the sitting-still was too challenging for this teenager.  Anyway I did this figure and hoped to capture his youth spirit. 

Oil on canvas board, 16x12

Jean 珍女士

 I took an oil workshop from an accomplished artist, Fongwei Liu this month.  The focus of this workshop is on people - portrait and figures.  Jean was one of the models in our first day.  Here is my first live painting of Jean.  She is a great model to paint.  Fongwei is a great teacher.  I've learned a lot of techniques and tips that I can use to improve my paintings of people as well as all other subjects. 

Oil on canvas board, 12x9

Sunflowers 向日葵

This painting was done a while back.   I recently rebrushed it to make the colors more in unity.   I like this version better.

Oil on canvas board, 12x9