One on One with Nature

I just came back from a painting trip up the coast, where I ended up sleeping in my car in safe areas, and getting a hotel every other day so that I don't smell like a bum.

I left Wednesday and made my way up the PCH, to San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay area.  Stayed a couple nights there, until Friday night, where I headed East to Bakersfield for some friends' get together for the weekend.  

After that, I stayed in Big Sur/Point Lobos/Monterey/Carmel area for the next 3 days.  

One of the most beautiful coastlines I have ever seen.

Unfortunately I didn't get much painting done during these three days as the weather was really against me.

If it wasn't foggy, it was raining, and if it wasn't raining, it was overcast.  Still tried to do a few, but really, I just enjoyed the area.  

If you guys have never seen these areas, I would highly recommend it.  And definitely take the PCH/Highway 1 up.  One of the most relaxing drives I've ever been on.  

After this trip that I took, I really feel that I found my focus again.  

I've made 'some' headway with Gouache.  And I of course had to try a couple iPad paintings.

The 2nd one is the iPad painting.  I had another iPad painting, but it decided to crash on me, and I ended up losing it.  

By far, out of all my paintings, I feel the bottom one is my most successful.  

I once had a teacher that talked about getting the 'truth' of a scene.  I feel I got that the most with this piece.  I tried to really push the color on this one, yet at the same time try to find the 'truth' of the piece.  

Can't wait to get out there and do some more plein air painting!

Quick iPad Sketch

Just a quick sketch from my brother's condo of the 405.  

Gou ACHE.

Under the Colorado Bridge this morning.
The sun was thinking about coming out, but decided not to.

I went back to gouache again.  Hopefully I'll be making some headway with it.

Morning painting

Went out this morning to do a landscape painting.  About 2 hours?  Tried out the iPad.  I kinda like it, but I definitely need to have a better setup for it.  Namely, an umbrella for SHADE.

MIA!

I know, I know. I've been MIA for the past year. I've recently graduated from ArtCenter. I'm going to try to be more diligent about posting from now on. I'll start putting up quick sketches and paintings and whatnot. In the meantime, I've created a new portfolio site.

www.alexchao.net

Enjoy!

Matte Painting

So here's the final for the Matte Painting concept I did earlier.

Cast Away!!!!!

Here's a project where we were supposed to build a raft out of parts from a ship (as if the ship exploded or crashed or whatever) and put a fire as a 'special effects' shot in a layout. Been messing with this painting for a while now, and I figure I should just call it done. Anyway, enjoy! Crits and comments welcome as always!