Written by Hello, my name is Brian Tai and I am a self-taught artist specializing in watercolour. I am currently 40 years of age and I am Malaysian. I have a degree in Physics studies. I started to learn art when I was 13 years old. The reason I went for art lessons was to get higher marks in a school art exam.
As time past, I began to develop interest in art, especially watercolour. I enjoy the colour combination, the watercolour effects which are amazing!! My art tutor is a patient person. I really thank him for all of his teaching as he demonstrated most of the paintings to me before I painted them. This is the main source of my knowledge and technique to paint watercolour.
My artwork subjects are inclusive of landscape, cityscape, scenery, nature, plant and flowers. My style is focused on light and shadow because I like the contrast effect of watercolour which make the painting look vivid and realistic. I also like to add some objects like people and cars to the painting. I am getting many positive responses from friends about the way I paint which motivates me to continue my journeys in art.
I usually paint my focus point (main subject of the piece) in detail and others part of the painting make it simple or a blur (usually applying a wet on wet technique). This technique will enhance the focus of viewer’s attention towards the focus point of your artworks.
Times changes a person’s thinking. It happens to me as well. When I was young, bright colour (like yellow, orange, and red) were always my favorite because it makes the painting look brighter and happier. As I mature, I’m beginning to apply colours like brown, navy blue, dark blue, dark brown, grey, and dark red as it make my painting look more premier and higher standard.
I usually use a Chinese brush for details and a big flat brush for the blur part to make it simple and smooth. My favorite colours are Winsor & Newton watercolour because of its high lightfastness. For paper, I always use cold press St. Cuthberts Mill which suits my painting style. I use Arches only for commissioned paintings or exhibitions due to its price.
The size of my artwork is usually 12″ x 16″ and 20″ x 16″ A2. My mallee painting is 5″ x 7″ which is a commissioned painting for a cafe. I’ve done one large painting of fruits & vegetables for my friend’s dining table decoration that’s circular (42″ in diameter). It took me 2 months to complete and it is commissioned. I also did one 100cm x 100cm sunrise painting for my friend’s office. In the coming months, I will do a few more paintings for customers who are moving into a new house.
Once in a while, I do acrylic, oil painting and pencil sketching too. I did many watercolour & ink sketches of buildings and nature. I like it when people find inspiration in my art. For instance, many friend’s feedback to me that my landscape painting let them refresh and feel nostalgia for a place they went before, their hometown, etc. One of my demo paintings of a “tree” for my students made them recall a time when they were a teenager and knew of a similar tree!
The is value to art and the same time I made many new friends through art from all over the world. Last, but not least, I enjoy doing art and hope all of you will enjoy my painting and the work of other artists.
Brian, your work is brilliant. You have a remarkable talent. I also applaud Charlie for bringing you on board for this guest post. He has an eye for talent. xo
Hi Brian, you art is amazing!
Brian, I love the way your paintings are vigorous with life and how you trust the water and paint to take the each painting to its own destination. There is a lot of power in each scene, caused in part by your economy of control (hard to do!) and explosion of color.
Outstanding work!
Thanks for your courage !!
Brian, your work is amazing!