The World according to Terragen

It's that time of the year to change format! As you will notice in my recent postings, I've put off my oil painting for quite awhile. Apart from the fact that my art supplies are running low, I don't want to be too 'specialised' in traditional oil painting. I'm trying out some new art platform - this time it's Terragen, a photorealistic landscape renderer. I could just create a whole new world without lifting a brush - traditionally or digitally speaking. Once I've created my terrain, I just need to fiddle with the built-in camera angles and positions to arrive at the best viewpoint that I can capture. So, beauty really is in the eyes of the beholder.

Terragen has actually been around for around 5 years now and its free for non-commercial use. Although the images are computer generated, to get to that final image which I like doesn't come without lots of work in terms of color picking, presetting, scaling etc. In short I have to adjust all possible parameters to create my desired terrain, followed by grass cover, sand, rocks, snow, clouds, water level and atmosphere. Most of the time, as I've mentioned, is spent playing around with the camera. Below are some results from a first-timer:









Perhaps soon, with the appropriate plug-ins and without transporting to any other platform, Terragen will allow me to introduce other stuff like birds flying, boat riding, fishing or even mountain biking! We can only imagine what the future holds. Until then, here are some hauntingly beautiful landscapes rendered by experts. Give Terragen a try and travel the world. With luck, you could find yourself in the Land of Hobbitts!

Flight of the Homeless

We Stand Together

In conjunction with the World's Human Rights Day sanctioned by the United Nations on Dec 10th. Here is a message from last year's event: Poverty is a cause and a product of human rights violation.

Take time off to attend a unique human rights festival organised by the Malaysian Bar Council at KL's Central Market on Dec 9th 9 a.m. with the theme: “As I Believe: Freedom of Expression through Art, Music, Culture and Conscience”

Attacking the enemy fortress

I don't usually play attacking chess, but when the occasion arises its usually a do or die situation for me. This game below which I have just played over the internet at Playchess , as with most Open Sicilian games, has many tactical traps and complicated ramifications. Its pointless going for material gain when the position demands the breaking up of the king's castle and probably a few heavy piece sacrifices. This, coupled with the fact that it is a 5 minute a side game, makes it an exciting evening, at least for me!

As for the local chess scene, here's some breaking news - Yeoh Li Tian has managed to obtain 4th placing in the recently concluded World Youth Chess Championship Under 8 category in Turkey. This is the best achievement ever for our country. We may not be a traditional chess playing nation but the nation can also be proud of its 4th placing in the Asian Indoor Games held at Macau last month. We were just behind China,India and Vietnam, all of whom have strong grandmasters in their respective countries (The current classical world champion is Anand Viswanathan from India). Furthermore, Malaysia won bronze in both the men and women individual events and achieved 5th position in the team blitz category. Alas, such impressive accomplishments were not reported in the mainstream newspapers.

Playchess is one of the top chess servers with thousands of players at any one time playing in the main hall, including many of the world's top grandmasters. If you happen to be there at the right moment, you can look me up (my handle is Converse32). Come join the world's premier internet chess league!

The Two Towers

Just try to imagine Earth without wars and mass poverty,
Without raging forests and haze,
Where all human species are of one race,
Where each share the wealth of Earth's abundant resources;
There you find no chemical pollution,
no clogged drains,
no alien invasion,
and no mass migration either.

Supposingly, you have got your wish,
Now, try to imagine....
this Earth where most of her 6.5 billion peole could be spirited away tomorrow,
to be transported to a galaxy far, far away,
and be rehabilitated on the importance of love and benevolence.

A Misty Winter

I'm currently on hibernation mode, as far as oil painting is concerned. You see, my regular art supplier, Singapore-based Art Friend, has relocated from UE3 Shopping Complex to the high-end Gardens @ Midvalley. However, it seems to take them quite some time to reopen (probably early next year). I can't paint without their Daler-Rowney's Linseed Stand Oil brand, which I normally mix with my white. Otherwise, I may have to pull my brushes in agony!

So, in order not to lose touch, I've returned to doing digital art, though it took me awhile to relearn all the different 'technical' strokes all over again. Still, I think it is a blessing in disguise and such a joy to discover new tips and tricks posted all over the internet. Anyhow, I can't wait to paint on Real Canvas again.

Wat Arun @ Chao Phraya

Wat Arun is one of the most important and beautiful landmark in Thailand. When I did manage to visit the temple by boat recently, I was completely mesmerized by its grandiosity and intricate design. You cannot fail to miss its images on T shirt prints, postcards and souvenirs. It is said that the best time to view this structure is during sunset and looking from the eastern side of the river. This is truly an important Asian Heritage. With a little bit of digital surgery, I hereby present to you, Wat Arun, from different perpsectives:








A visit to Wat Arun, by canoe, under a galaxy of stars. A dream come true!