Cherngzhi's Art blog: Notes from Chien Chung Wei's DVD

Notes from Chien Chung Wei's DVD

Chien Chung-Wei is a rising star in the watercolor world.

His wife, Jasmine Huang is also a superb watercolorist.
I recently got a hold of Chung-wei’s DVD and here are some my notes & observations from his Masterclass through the DVD. I highly recommend this DVD. There are much more in the DVD that I won’t share here Go buy the DVD and support the Artist please.

DVD's URL is here:
http://www.boutiquedesartistes.fr/dvd-master-class-aquarelle-sur-le-motif-avec-chien-chung-wei.html?___store=en&___from_store=fr

Notes from his DVD

Only started plein-air 2 years ago. Developed his skills in-studio for the longest time.
Mentioned that in-door techniques can complement Plein-air.
Uber fast painter. He does this by pre-mixing a big mix of his paint (both warm /cool) before attempt. His painting movements makes me anxious. (laughs)

Mixing enough before he paints. He paints fast

His strength lies in design. Simplifying what’s in front. In short, he’s a highly effective painter.

Complete within 1-2 hours.

He terms the mid-tone area as the rainbow color zone ( he deploys the greatest ranges in color temperature shift here, I guess))
Paints in limited palette. Does not hold green on his palette. Instead, his wells have more blues.

No greens but more blues

Design his composition and plan his road map extensively when he sketches with the pencil

"Taking the line out for a walk " - Chien Chung Wei

Block out the darks with his graphite first. He uses line weight to plan as well
He emphasized that "the line is out for a walk" whenever he draws. This is his personal expression of finding rhythm, shapes and composition.
He blocks out the mid-tone and the dark while reserving the light shapes. Typically, he completes the mid-tones and dark by means of pigment concentration. Very little usage of glazes. Rather, he allocates layering to the details. Quite similar to Alla-prima in oils. He reminded me of Ong Kim Seng's approach. Dark first.
Switches brushes a lot. Typically paints with a bunch of them in his hands. He memtioned that smaller brushes are crucial for the darks (my guess- concentration of pigment)
Very daring and confident with his scratches. Even brings out a palette knive and carve straight at the paper.

Visit his website for more of his beautiful work :) If you know mandarin, you can follow him on his facebook account. He regularly share interesting stories and philosophies behind his work.