Here’s a peek at Paul Wang‘s process and palette when he steps outside to find something interesting in the city to sketch and paint:

“After nearly 3 months in pandemic lockdown, we were finally allowed to venture out of our houses. Of course, I was very excited to be out and sketching on-location with minimal restrictions. Old shophouses are one of my favorite subjects to sketch and paint. This type of architecture is a perfect blend of western technology adapted for our tropical living. Some were built pre-war and used to house many migrant families on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors.

I like painting en plein air because I can use all my senses to observe and interact with the environment. Unlike working from a photograph, I can hear the conversations and listen to possible stories from the surroundings. In this sketch, I was trying to imagine the conversations behind those windows and wonder who might be still living in these old quarters. Smell is another important impetus when I sketch on-location. I take all these critical bits of information and infuse them into my paintings.”