Hi there, I am Yen Torng from Malaysia. Still, you can call me “Sam” which is easier to remember. I have been learning to draw since I was young, but not with watercolor. Watercolor is the medium that I hated the most back then due to its difficulty in controlling water and color texture.
My teacher also had a hard time in teaching me watercolor as I experienced so much resistance. One year ago, I decided to pick up the brushes and try watercolor again. It really surprised me when I discovered the “JOY”. A magical moment happened when the water mixed with the colors. The feeling is just so relaxing where it slowly splashed and spread out. Since then, I’ve gotten “addicted” and committed myself to draw almost everyday.
With my love towards floral, I started to focus on drawing flowers such as peonies, buttercups, calla lilies, sunflowers, etc. Starting from loose florals, I challenged myself to draw realistic florals which had a 3D effect. I always gained a lot of satisfaction despite sitting long hours on a chair while drawing.
Currently, I have a full-time job that is not art related. As mentioned, watercolor is a great outlet for me to have interaction with myself, so called “me-time”. That is the time where creation and passion comes in. I feel so relaxed when I am able to indulge in a world of creativity that’s filled with imagination.
I allow myself to think out of the box and feel discomfort for extraordinary art pieces. I enjoy spending time drawing just like visiting a “happy corner”. Confidence has slowly been built up due to the progression that I have made. What I feel is “EXCITEMENT” and I wish to share this with the universe!!
My Materials
Paper: I usually use Campap Arto Watercolor Painting Paper 200gsm / 300gsm as my preferred paper due to its texture and speed in water absorption. Another brands will be Canson Watercolor Paper 100gsm and Moleskine Watercolor Album 200gsm.
Watercolors: Even though Zig Kuretake Gansai Tambi 12 Color Set is my first watercolor set, I prefer Winsor & Newton Cotman 45 Half Pan Watercolor Set given effect. Another set that I bought from Thailand is Van Gogh Pocket Watercolor Box – 12 Half Pans & Brush which is another option that can be considered.
Watercolor Brushes: Silver Black Velvet Brush 6 is my all time favourite due to its high water absorption as well as super softness. I would say I love it so much! Apart from that, Princeton Neptune Brush 4 and Daler-Rowney Aquafine Brush 8 are also brushes that I would use too.
My Source Of Inspiration
One of my inspirations would be an artist I saw on Instagram named Jenna Rainey. Her creativity in drawing inspired me. What I found in common between us would be florals. She draws florals most of the time and it really amazed me. Her softness, yet firmness, in demonstrating floral painting really motivated me to invent my own set of drawing skills.
Another inspiration is through traveling. I would spare some time to immerse myself in the environment and capture pictures from my surroundings so that I could draw them. My secret technique in drawing would be controlling the portion of water and water texture used. If I want something to be more vibrant, I will need to emphasize more color instead of water, or vice versa.
All in all, I realized that drawing is like a life journey. When I choose to take a step forward to unfold it, it offers me passion that I have been eagerly looking for. I have never thought that thing that I resisted the most would become something that I love the most now. It is now the total opposite.
Most of the time, watercolor helps me to express my feelings and allows me to see what I am capable of in becoming a person. I feel so grateful that I have found “WATERCOLOR” as my passion and I really love what I am doing right now.
Sam (Yen Torng)
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Sam, I love the freshness and looseness of your work. Your passion for watercolor comes thru. I think I will go paint a few florals in my sketchbook after being inspired by yours!
Gorgeous paintings
Beautiful,calming art,,thank you for Sharing.
Beautiful, there’s so much harmony in these pictures!
Such beautiful flowers! Truly inspiring!
Your work is lovely and peaceful. Thank you for sharing!
Lovely and meditative! I checked your IG and would like to tell you that it is time for you to move further with your painting subjects, on more complex scenes. I can see that you’re enjoying your little watercolor haiku paintings, but you also have a solid artistic quality that should be pushed further!
One detail that I like from your painting desk is Gansai Tambi red! Oh my, I admire Gansai red and using it to sign my artworks for years. I considered it is a sort of holly red 🙂
Thank you for sharing your artwork!
I’m following you now on IG.
Your botanical work is beautiful.
Sam, your paintings are beautiful! I’m glad you finally discovered the joy of watercolor because the world is richer for your art!
Your paintings are so pretty, thanks for showing them, I absolutely love the cotton ball painting.
Sam.. I have been painting for many many years and your watercolors are incredibly beautiful and I wish I could paint like you do. Your touch is simple, yet beautiful. I especially like the peony flowers. Keep at it. You are amazing.
Lovely botanical paintings!
What an inspirational story and such beautiful art. Thank you so much for sharing both.
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful work.
Sam, your paintings are so delicate, the colors like bits of rainbows captured on the paper. Lucky you gave up resisting and learned how talented a watercolorist you are.
Love your paintings! I’m a Jenna Rainey fan, too! But I think the most inspiration I draw from your story is that you tried again and are now content to grow and develop one day at a time. Thanks for the inspiration!
These are sooooo beautiful and delicate! Beautiful paintings, Yen! 🌸💕
Your florals are so soft and beautiful. Amazing work and story.
Lovely!
So proud of you my dear, Sam! Keep it up ❤
Your art is beautiful! Thank you for showing and telling the story behind it all.
Love the lettering 🙂