Outdoor Painting - Neil Road, Singapore

News - Singapore Watercolour Society will be holding its 37th Annual Exhibition - Watercolour Splashes at Ngee Ann Cultural Centre. Opening day is on 1st September 2006 at 6.30pm (by invitation only) and open to public on 2nd & 3rd September 2006. Admission is free.

I went out to paint again last Sunday and this time, at Neil Road, Chinatown with a few fellow watercolourists from Singapore Watercolour Society.

It was a beautiful day and the bright sunshine presented us with beautiful lights and shades that created great contrast in tonal values and colours in our painting subjects - the wonderful pre-war shophouses.

I surveyed the area for a few minutes and picked this spot.


I spent slightly over 2 hours to complete it, rather sketchy with bold strokes. I was seated at an open space without a shelter. Although still under a shaded area, it was very hot and humid and as the sun rose further up, the shaded area shifted gradually and soon I was left exposed directly to the strong sunlight. I was perspiring and had to finish it off quickly...but it's all worth the trouble when I see the result...

Somebody asked "Where's the road sign?"
That's what happened when you have artistic license?
The abililty to observe, plan, execute a painting by
including and omitting objects you see fit in improving
the composition of an artwork. To simply and yet keep
the essentials and add the extras that differentiate a
painting from a photograph!

Just a stone-throw away, three artists are working on their paintings.
Mr Chew Piak San (no relation to me) and Seah Kang Chui on the right.

Ong Kim Seng on the left (arguably Singapore's most well-known

watercolourist who's the author of Mastering of Light and Shade
in Watercolour) and Chew Piak San on the right.

We had an enjoyable day... hope you like it, comments and critiques are welcome as usual.