Father of Malaysian Portraiture - Mohamed Hoessein Enas

Kelantanese fishermen landing their catch,
a watercolour by Hoessein Enas

Hoessein Enas, Father of
Malaysian Portraiture

Mohamed Hoessein Enas (1924-1995) came to Malaya from Bogor, Java in 1947. Largely self-taught, Hoessein painted in the European style of realist portraiture. He painted mostly portraits of royalty and prominent people of his time. he was instrumental in setting up the Majlis Kesenian Melayu (which later became the Angkatan Pelukis Semenanjung) in 1956. Hoessein Enas was appointed Royal Portrait Painter to then Sultan of Selangor in 1990.

A sketch by Hoessein Enas,
 a traditional fishing boat. 

Although well known for his works in oils and pastel, lovers of Hoessein's works can enjoy some of his watercolour works and sketches currently on display at the Ilham Gallery in Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur.

The Hoessein Enas Exhibition is part of the newly-opened gallery’s inaugural show called Picturing The Nation. About 200 works by Hoessein Enas are on display here, comprising about 30 paintings and the remaining sketches. For watercolour lovers, check of the works by the Father of Malaysian Portait Painting.

Ilham Gallery is at Level 3 & 5, Ilham Tower in Jalan Binjai, Kuala LUmpur. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday (11am–7pm) and Sundays (11am–5pm)
The gallery is closed on Mondays. Admission is free.

Ploughing the land, a sketch of a padi farmer with his buffaloes tilling the land

Phang Chew makes vroom for art

Phang and wife Goh Yoke Lean.

Born in 1945 in Ipoh, Phang Chew is a familiar face in the Perak capital. Not only is he instantly recognised by his peers in the motorcycle business and superbikers but also by art lovers who have been following his journey as an artist. Phang can be often seen painting the street scenes of Ipoh old town or capturing the beauty of the tin-mining town’s outskirts. Sometimes he paints alone or with his artist friends, but on most outings, he is joined by his wife, Goh Yoke Lean.

Mrs Phang is also an accomplished painter.

Looking more youthful than his 70 years, Phang received his secondary education in Yuk Choy High School, where his artistic journey began. Recollecting his early years, Phangattributed his early interest in art to his art teacher Hu Zhui Guang.

“Hu would ask us students to do murals for the school and encouraged us to take part in art competitions if we wanted to see how good we were,” said Phang with excitement in his voice. “That was when I discovered that I have a talent in art.

“When I left school in 1964, I did not have a chance to attend an art college although I liked painting a lot,” he said. “So I went to work with a signage maker instead. But the job lasted a short while before I decided to join a motorcycle company for better prospects as a manager. That led to me setting up my own motorcycle dealership named Motoranda in the late 1980s which sold superbikes.”

Mrs Phang keeps an eye on her students, always generous
with her knowledge.

Despite being busy with his business, Phang continued to paint after work hours. His wife, who was also helping him in business, shared his love for watercolour.  When they were free during the weekends, the couple would seek out subjects for their watercolour paintings in places far and near. These ranged from the scenic hills of Tambun to the old houses in quaint villages in Batu Gajah.

In 2003, at the age of 58, Phang decided to sell off his superbike dealership. “I was getting too old to keep up with the pace and my son was pursuing a different line of career in university. But the main reason I made that decision was because I wanted to pursue my dream as a full-time artist.”

Six years later, that decision led to Phang holding his first solo show in Kuala Lumpur at the Balai Berita gallery of the New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd. Today, leading a more relaxed life fulfilling their passion, Phang and his wife, who are also founder members of the Perak Art Society, continue to contribute to building Perak’s watercolourists. During the weekends, the couple teaches school children watercolour painting.

One of Phang Chew's watercolours, recording a scenery
near his home.

“I started teaching children because it was fun,” said Phang. “I have to produce watercolour pieces quickly for each class and that is a challenge I look forward to each week. As I do these pieces, I find that I have also improved a lot. My students are also very eager to learn, which makes teaching even more rewarding.”

If Phang finds his students’ interest waning, he tells them how lucky they were to be able to have access to proper art instruction.

“I tell them that when I was their age, even if I had money, there was no one to teach me the proper way of painting. On the other hand, they are more fortunate as they are not only able to learn art from a senior artist like me, but they also have access to good art materials to produce good works.

“Painting in watercolour is not just about putting colour on paper,” said Phang who credits his knowledge in watercolour to his Singaporean artist friend Peh Eng Seng.

“Watercolour painting is a very powerful way to express one's feeling. It can be effectively used to represent the vision of the artist on a piece of paper,” said Phang who prefers to paint on site.

“Nature inspires me. When I am out there painting, I feel really free to express myself and capture what is before me according to my own interpretation.”

As the couple enjoys their twilight years pursuing their passion for art, Phang has only one immediate task.

“As a senior artist, I want to keep myself as healthy as I can so that I can do better paintings, hold more solo shows and contribute to the art scene.

(Footnote: Phang Chew passed away in 2018)

The Art of Universal Love

Aminah learns under a few masters,
including the famous Salleh Dawam

AMINAH ABDUL RAHMAN, 53, originally wanted to be a musician. Back in 1984, she had enrolled in a music course with the Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia. The organisation (which began in 1956 as Majlis Kesenian Melayu) was then based in Jalan Tun Razak in an old bungalow.

“There were several disciplines of the arts being taught there,” Aminah explained as she took a trip down memory lane four decades ago to describe her first steps to her current career. “At the time, APS was offering courses in fine art, graphic and music. I was very much in love with piano, so I had gone there to learn.

“However, whenever I was there to attend classes during the weekends, I was fascinated by the fine artists who painted a variety of subjects in various media. Soon, I found myself drawn to portrait painting and that was how it all began.”

Four decades today, Aminah, 53, is both the president of Malaysian Watercolour Society as well as the Honorary Secretary of the Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia. Currently having her first solo entitled “Roses for You” at the APS Gallery in 64 (1) Jalan Kuantan, off Jalan Tun Razak,  Aminah said her artistic career had to take a backseat during the time when she was working for a large organisation.

“At that time, I was in the customer service department and whenever there was a group exhibition that I was invited to, I had to take a few days’ leave so that I could paint to take part. It was not easy to get leave but I had to make do with what I could.”

Life back then was not a bed of roses but despite the challenges, Aminah kept herself in touch with the artistic world by producing small bodies of works for group shows in the country and abroad. A solo was out of the question for her, she said.

“I simply did not have a collection of work for a proper solo which explains why I had to delay my first show till this day,” she said of her current show. “I only managed to do art seriously after I quit full-time work in 2012. I had to make that decision because I realised wanted to paint for the rest of my life.”

After quitting her job, Aminah headed out to Langkawi to learn from Saleh Dawam who was well known for his roses in watercolour. Aminah, who has been an APS member since 1986, had also learned the tools of the trade from old-timers like Khalil Ibrahim, Sani Md Dom, as well as Rafie Rahman.

“When I was in my 20s, I used to join roadside artists doing portraits in Jalan Masjid India. My parents were alarmed when they found out what I did but fortunately they did not stop me from pursuing my dream,” said Aminah who is the youngest child of seven siblings. “At that time, I loved doing oil paintings of landscapes.

“However, I later switched to watercolour which I find to be more challenging,” she said.Aminah, who started out as a self-taught artist, did not have formal education in art until 1991.

“That year, I found the opportunity to attend a one-year certificate in creative art course at the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang,” she said. “The department which offered the course later became what is today, the varsity’s Faculty of Art.”

Why did she focus on roses for her first solo?

“I have always loved roses and to me it represents universal love. It is one flower that is easily identified for its significance,” she said. However, she said that her interest in roses as an artistic subject did not start until her trip to Kuntzstation Art Gallery in Austria in 2011.

“I was part of the entourage of Malaysian artists who were given residency at the gallery. During my stint there, I painted in watercolour on ‘elephant-size’ papers. The technique I used back then was also different. Instead of painting in the traditional approach, I was pouring watercolour,” she said.

“I used a lot of colours and because of that I had to paint for hours under the sun so that I can make sure the paper is properly dried before I add another colour or tone. Otherwise, it will turn through one big mess. It was through this uncontrolled method that the images of rose began to materialise on paper.”

The stint in Austria later led to her joining more exhibitions at local galleries, including the Bank Negara, which is among her corporate collectors today. These days painting fills most of her time unless she had to run errands like tending to association meetings and helping to organise shows. Unlike some artists who paint a piece at a time, Aminah also prefers to work on three pieces at one go.

“The process provides me with a bigger challenge as it keeps me on my toes for I have think very quickly on how to approach each piece as the painting develops, in terms of composition, colour and tonal quality,” she said.

“For this body of works in the ‘Roses for You’ exhibition, all the compositions and their unique colours were inspired from the experiences I have gathered and the roses that I have seen.”

Aminah’s solo show ends on June 7. For details, call her at 012-308 9265

From Penang with love

AS a boy, Koay Shao Peng had always loved to draw. At the coffee shop which his family owned, Koay had plenty of “art paper” at his disposal. And with the resources at his disposal, he would create his masterpieces.

 “They were actually from paper cigarette cartons which I had turned inside out,” the 55-year-old artist said with a laugh as he recalled his childhood.  “When I ran out of paper cartons to draw on, I would collect cigarette boxes and draw on the inside.

“I would tell stories through the drawings and my father’s workers, who lived above the coffee shop, would collect them and arrange the story-boxes on shelves. Each time their friends visited them, they would show them the cigarette boxes and told them the stories I had narrated within each box.”

That early passion for art thus laid the foundation to what he is today. Not only is he an artist, he was also the owner and principal of the Classical Art Centre in Penang, one of the oldest, if not the oldest, art school in Penang.

“In school, I loved to draw so much that my friends would come to me for help whenever they were given assignments by their art teachers,” he said. “Most boys did not like to draw, so they would ask me to do it for them.

“For each drawing, they paid me 20 cents which was quite a lot back then. I saved whatever I could and used the money to buy better art paper and art books to learn from to improve my skills. At the time, there were few places on could learn art the proper way from.”

The self-taught artist, however, did not stumble upon the idea of converting his passion into a vocation until he was in his 20s.

“I was running several businesses previously, including as a stationery supplier,” he revealed. “In 1983, when the country was hit by recession, all my businesses failed. I had just started a family then and I had to find a way to feed my family.”

One day, a relative who was then taking art lessons had approached him for help.

“After I taught him how to work on his art assignment, he complimented me that what I had explained to him was much clearer than what his lecturers did. So he suggested that I open an art school in Penang.”

His business sense kicked in and single-handedly he set up his art centre, one of the two in Penang then.

“I approached the teaching of art from a business point of view because of my background in business. However, I also had to start from scratch and had to do it alone, like getting all the paper work done as well as setting up the infrastructure because I could not turn to anyone for help.”

Over three decades later, the art educator has churned out at least 5,000 students through the centre, teaching and painting.

“Some of my students are fine artists in their own right today. Many of them have also become prominent comic strip and graphic artists as well,” said Koay.

His involvement in the teaching of art was not restricted to the confines of his classes alone. Over the last decade, Koay had also written 10 art guides entitled “Gubahan Fikiran” for use in schools. On top of that, he has also trained teachers in art education, both academically and from the creative point of view.

Although Koay is at ease with other mediums, watercolour remained his first love. He has also won various awards for his works and has taken part in numerous exhibitions and group shows over the last three decades.

Koay has also just completed his third solo entitled “Explore Watercolours” which was held in Petaling Jaya where his pieces on Penang’s heritage buildings were met with warm response by city art collectors.

“Georgetown is well known as a heritage city and as an artist, I have to celebrate that achievement by putting on visual record the beautiful historical edifices and life in its streets as I experience it,” he said.

Triple Gems

This is my latest work, I am playing with lines and shapes, hues and tonal values. It is very loosely painted with the colours allowed to merge and their their own places on this cotton-based heavyweight paper. I am amazed at the images that emerged.

Concubine Lane, Ipoh

Concubine Lane, 2014, 9x11in, watercolour

I have always wanted to paint the Concubine Lane, Ipoh, ever since I saw it some years back but didn't get to it for one reason or the other. I love the play of structures against each other, as if continuing a conversation from the past. The stretch is undergoing refurbishment - the owners of the buildings here are undertaking renovation because some of the structures are falling apart.
I have painted this lane with lots of light to enhance the quiet mood.

Maamor Jantan - Uniquely his own

Maamor Jantan is well known for his Cakcibor (Dragonfly) series.

I cannot find another artist who paints watercolour with his speed and style. As a friend, I have seen how works seem to materialise from his brush. Even as he is talking, his brush seems to have a life of its own, transforming a white piece of paper into a magical scenery of rustic village scenery or a nocturnal view of a kampung. Maamor's most famous is his Cakcibor (Dragonfly) series, however, he is well-versed in other subjects like village scenes, night scenes and such. He also does oil.

A scene of people watching a keroncong traditional concert performance in progress. Look at the colours.

A Volkswagen parked under the light of the night. 

Itik Serati or the Malaysian shelduck is well portrayed by Maamor.

Calvin Chua Cheng Koon - River in his heart

Calvin works in watercolour, oil and acrylic too.

Calvin Chua Cheng Koon, or more popularly known as Calvin Chua, is a veteran in watercolour. Hailing from Kedah, this 53 year old artist is a graduate of the KLCA with a Diploma in Fine Art. He is as active in his works as he is in the Malaysian Watertercolour Society.

A winner of many awards locally and abroad, Calvin has also exhibited in countries including Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Taipeh, and Japan. His River Series has found appeal locally and abroad too.

Children playing by the river.

The river is this artist's theme

Chow Chin Chuan - the bicycle man keeps on painting

Chow Chin Chuan at work

Born in 1961 in the harbour town of Klang, Selangor, Chow Chin Chuan received his art education at the Kuala Lumpur College of Arts and holds a Diploma in Fine Arts & Figure Design. This full-time artist has been exhibition his works since 1982 and has won numerous awards, including the Young Contemporary Artist award from the National Art Gallery in 1990. He has also exhibited in foreign countries, including Thailand, Taiwan, Belgium, Sweden, India and Brazil.

Chow has established himself with his favourite subject - the bicycle against a backdrop of rustic scenes that are fast disappearing these days, Apart from watercolour, he also does oil paintings who are also as exquisite. .

Bicycles are his favourite subject

One of the rare sketches he has done

Rustic scenes like this are his favourite

Liau Sin Fah - from teacher to painter

Former teacher Liau Sin Fah, 59, his first solo exhibition entitled Rhythm of Colour that is being held at WAF Gallery, Straits Quay,in April 2012. The Kuala Kangsar-born, but now living in Taiping, paints in both watercolour and acrylic. He also dabbles in other mediums. Liau has his own art studio in Taiping where he teaches art. His works have been exhibited locally and abroad, including China and South Korea

KuanYin Temple Singapore 3

.

Petaling Street 2

Peace Coffee shop

Ismail Kadir paints on site

Ismail is seen doing a workshop demonstration for Universiti Malaysia Kelantan's undergrads
 at the  Lata Tembakah, Terengganu.

Born in 1952 in Kelantan, Ismail Kadir, is well known among the art circle, especially those who love plein aire watercolours. This gentleman paints almost exclusively in watercolours, preferring to do his pieces on site. His subjects are extensive but his love for rustic villages and rural scenery can be seen in the number of paintings he has produced on them.

With a wealth of experience tucked under his belt, Ismail has been taking part in art shows, almost annually, over the past decade, from Malaysia to the United Kingdom and China. His works are also collected in various galleries local and abroad, such as the National Visual Arts Gallery, Tokyo Art Gallery, Daiichi Modern Art Gallery  etc., as well as by dignitaries.

He is the only Malaysian artist who has been featured in the 2009 issue of the Watercolor Artist magazine.

Lata Tembakah, (56x76cm, 2009)
(Collection of National Visual Arts Gallery)

Padang Bual Village, Bachok, Kelantan,  (56x76cm 2013)

Paloh Village (56x76cm 2012)

Sketching to improve

I was told that if you want to improve your art, you have to learn to sketch and draw and do these outdoor. This advice came many years ago when I was learning under Master Tang Tuck Kan. I have still not forgotten it and have, as much as I can, try to sketch.

I am not saying that this is the right way, but if you want to improve your understanding of your subject, the atmosphere it is in, and especially mastering the values that will make your art more alive, you need to do outdoor sketches. Lots of it.

Of course, some beginning artists may disagree and I am not saying that this is the only way. For me, it is the best. This is because sometimes you may not have the time to do a full painting and sketching do help a lot in keeping you in touch with your drawing and painting skills. Sketching allow you to exercise and hone your drawing skills. With good drawing skills, you paint better too.

What do you use to sketch?

Well, you can use pens or graphite pencils, or even watercolours. I prefer graphite pencils because they are easier to handle. I use watersoluble ones such as Derwent's which work well even without using water. If I need a wash, I just brush on with clear water. It's that simple. This brand also does not smudge easily.

Pens are also good and I prefer a good fountain pen than gel ones. But if you are into gel pens, there are a few brands that are good. I have seen the Pentel gel pens that have fade-proof inks. These are most ideal and should be colour fast. (See below)

This pen costs only RM1.90.

Tan Suz Chiang

Born in 1974, this Johor Baru-based artist is a graduate of the Central Academy of Art. The artist held his solo in 2006, entitled Colours of Life. Painting semi-abstractscenes, Tan has participated in many group shows since his graduation, in and out of the country. This year, his work ‘Blue Melody’ has been accepted in 2013 ISEA/NWS Wales International Exchange Exhibition. He has also won various awards from competitions from US to Europe and China.

‘Blue Melody’ which has been accepted in 2013 ISEA/NWS Wales International Exchange Exhibition

 Colour of Life # 3 - 38cm x 56cm

Another Sky - 25cm x 25cm

Brass Paint Boxes

If you have seen Alvaro Castagnet or Charles Reid's palette, you would have been captivated by the metallic paint boxes both used. They both use Craig Young's palette - a hardy brass-enamelled paint box with 20 compartments. The paintbox is small and fits very well in your palm. The only prohibition is the cost. At the moment of writing, Craig Young's Small Paintbox, which measures 5.5 in by 3.75in by 1in ” by 1” and weighs  12oz, is priced from US$460 (Over RM1,200). If you are interested, Craig's site is here 

Craig Young's Paintbox

There is also another maker, called the Little Brass Box Company. Similar to Craig Young's boxes, this company mails from the UK. Prices start from US$330 at writing time. If you want to check it out, visit its website here.

Little Brass Box Company's palette.

Khoo Cheang Jin paints the streetscenes

Khoo Cheang Jin hard at work and enjoying it. The 'cowboy' hat keeps the sun out.

Born on April 28, 1963, Khoo Cheang Jin is the current president of the Penang Water Colour Society. A familiar face in the streets on the island, Khoo, usually seen with his trademark 'cowboy' hat, can be spotted during the weekends painting the buildings or street scenes with his fellow painters and sketchers. This former Chung Ling High School boy and an architect by profession has exhibited extensively locally and abroad, particularly in Singapore, and has a wide following. He is also a member of various arts organisations locally and overseas, and his works has won many awards.

Chung Ling High, Cheang Jin's alma mater.

Cheang Jin with a completed painting of the building in the background.

Old Houses Lorong Argus (38x56cm)

Sekeping Victoria

Phang Chew - Painter of Nature

Phang paints life around him, mostly of scenes in Ipoh. Preferring to paint on location, the artist says he takes about three hours to finish a piece.

MALAYSIAN veteran painter Phang Chew is no stranger to watercolour lovers. Phang is noted for his almost Chinese-brush technique when it comes to watercolour.
Born in April 6, 1945, Phang stays in Ipoh. Having retired from his superbike business 12 years ago, he has been actively painting. Enjoying his retirement, Pang is today a full-time painter and often accompanied by his wife during his plein aire sessions in and round Ipoh. Phang's works have been widely collected locally and abroad and has taken part in numerous exhibitions, both as a group and solo.

House of 1903 (45x61cm)

Scene of hillside (59x84cm)