Jayson Yeoh came to us LIVE from Malaysia on Friday, April 22nd at 10:30am Pacific via Zoom to share his watercolor techniques and favorite color palette.

Why do you paint?
I think that the love for drawing is a gifted habit. Maybe it doesn’t really need too many reasons, as long as I can continue to paint, I feel that my life will be very happy and joyful.

How long have you been painting?
I’ve been engaged in my painting career for about 30 years.

Did you have formal art training?
No – but I’ve been interested in art since childhood and have always worked diligently to learn the different aspects of art through books and artist exchanges.

Are you a full-time artist or do you have another job?
Besides painting, I do online watercolour lessons and also conduct a few of the drawing classes for primary and secondary school students.

Who inspires you?
As a self-taught artist, I personally feel that every artist’s work is part of my learning experience, no matter which medium they use. Among the more renowned artists of the past, I’ve admired the works of Tom Wesselmann and Frank Webb – I truly believe that their creative spirits have influenced me. From the current art scene, excellent artists like Alvaro Castagnet, Angus McEwan, Joseph Zbukvic, Tan Kang Chee and many more inspire me. However I strive to blend my own thinking, spirit, instincts and heart into my work.

Do you paint en plein air or in studio?
Actually, I enjoy both. Sometimes I hang out with my friends for plein air painting, but most of my work is carried out at my home studio.

Do you paint from memory or photo references?
When I’m in the studio, I mainly refer to photos that I took or sketches I have drawn during a trip or daily life.  I believe that art has no boundaries – some of my creations are combination of both imagination and reality.

Do you create one painting at a time, or do you work on several concurrently?
I prefer to complete paintings one at a time so I have a clear direction on each piece.

Do you paint every day?
Yes indeed – I believe that by painting every day, I can effectively develop better drawing and painting skills.

Do you have a favorite time to paint?
Usually morning – I feel fresh after I have done my exercises.

What music do you listen to while painting?
Usually I don’t choose to listen to music while I’m doing my artwork. But when I do, I prefer peaceful music, especially piano, which makes me feel more relaxed and it’s easier to fall toward the feeling of the artwork. It also makes it easier for me to concentrate when drawing.

Tubes, pans or sticks?
I like the 15ml tubes, when fresh paint is squeezed out of the tube, the colour is rich and easy to use.

How long does it take you to complete a painting?
Normally it will take up to 6 hours to complete a half sheet, while a full sheet will need more time. It also depends on how complex the painting is.

How do you know when a piece is finished?
That’s a hard question. When the art lets me feel satisfied, then it is telling me to stop.