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Customer Reviews |
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 Too Lengthy - by JoJOBee from CA US
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It's interesting to learn about the artist and I greatly admire him but I honestly fell asleep during this DVD. It would have been better if it had been edited to be more concise.
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This is Extraordinary! - by Joanna Daneman from Middletown, DE
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The video series by artist Cheng-Kee Chee gives you a noted professor of art in your own home. This is extraordinary! How many of us wish we could have had the opportunity to go to art school? Here in this six-volume series, Professor Chee lectures to us about art history in China, where he was born, the change from Social Realism, the only artform allowed by Communist China in the earlier years, and the rebirth of art later on. He discusses Taoist principles in his art, going back to timeless Chinese philosophy. This is like having my very own professor giving me insight on philosophy and art history as well as showing me a way to paint in water media that mixes East and West in a fresh,flowing and loose manner. I can't think of anyone who wants to learn watercolor who wouldn't be thrilled with this series.
DVD Volume 1 is an interview and lecture by Professor Chee about his philosophy of art, and his four creative principles.
1. Thorough knowledge of the subject (the objective outer-world)
2. Strong feelings of the subject (the subjective, inner-world)
3. Understand and orchestrate the design (composition, design elements to make an exciting painting)
4. Competent craftsmanship (drawing skills and handling the medium)
The second two principles are the process, which can be shared and learned. The first two principles are the content, which comes from the individual artist's heart. The Taoist way means to use a natural way, making the process of painting effortless. Chee asserts this is common sense, like paddling a canoe with the current rather against. How does this apply to painting? Chee reminds the viewer that Taoist philosophy of Yin-Yang means to harmonize the opposites: right side of brain (emotion) with left side (reasoning), dark and light, all elements in opposition yet in harmony.
The principles of creativity are constant, while the process evolves as each artist grows in his or her craft. Chee has five different processes to paint specific subjects.
1. Traditional approach to watercolor, where the subject is pre-selected.
2. Saturated-wet process for painting colorful subjects
3. Splash-color technique, used for landscapes with large geographical subjects like mountains and ocean or lake. Chee shows us how to use texture on treated illustration board to suggest the varied surfaces of rocks, water and land.
4. Crinkling technique. This is used to express leafy textures, floral forms, wooded subjects. Sized Oriental paper is used for this technique.
5. Marbelizing technique. This is used to express imaginary visions, misty scenes, abstracts and semi-abstracted scenes. This is either like marbelizing paper or fabric or creating a monotype.
Right here, you can see how Professor Chee has organized techniques you may already have used in painting, like adding texture or wet-in-wet, or monotyping but he has linked each technique to a type of subject. This is a valuable guide to your subject (traditional street scene? blooming spring orchard?) where the artist can choose a technique that suits the subject and allows for effortless painting. After you view some of Chee's extraordinary paintings and learn this secret, you will be inspired to run to your studio and give them a try.
The next section of the first DVD is how to search for images to paint. Chee discusses what he paints or sketches on location, how big a painting he might do plein-air. He also shares his sketch book with the viewer, a quick way to capture ideas. Chee paints directly into the sketch book.
There is a chapter on searching for the abstract patterns. Creating an abstract can be more baffling than creating a realistic subject. Chee gives the artist a process to make an abstract (using the marbeling technique and a viewfinder) to find an abstract design. The abstract design can be used as a pattern on which to superimpose a realistic design as well.
The DVD ends with an interview to learn more about this talented artist who was born in China and grew up in Malaysia. The interview covers background, influences, inspirations, personal style, and how to survive as an artist. Chee also discusses the direction art is heading toward. There is a section on jurying and competition, as well as much more. This is much more than I expected from a DVD series. I expected a series of demonstrations on painting technique, but what you get is your own art professor, standing at your elbow, talking about life and art and life as an artist. I would rate this series essential for anyone who aspires to learn watermedia and possibly sell or show their art. But even if you paint for your own pleasure, this is like taking a university art course.
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High Quality. - by Jan Jones from Fallbrook, CA
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I watched the first two DVD's by Chee and they were very high quality. That is what made the decision to purchase the rest. Also, I'm purchasing for an art association in Fallbrook and since he was here a few times and we know him, it made the decision to spend the money for the association this way. Quality for our money is important.
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Now he lives in my studio - by Suzan D. from unspecified
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Oh Susan (CCP Service Department),
Thank you so much for all of your loving and careful help.
I am truly grateful to you. I will be ordering again and next time I will be certain I have the right card.
I am so excited that you are doing the Cheng Khee Chee series. I have been wanting to study with him for ages and have not had the opportunity. Now he lives in my studio.
Suzan D.
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Creative Catalyst Productions Inc.
