Veteran Malaysian artist Stan Lee offers free online art classes during MCO

Lee’s sketch of himself at home with his wife as they both work silently on their own computers. Photos: Stan Lee

With the movement control order (MCO) still in effect, sketch artist Stan Lee who used to conduct art classes at his bungalow in Paramount Gardens, Petaling Jaya, has had to shift gears.

“To survive in this world we have to reinvent ourselves every now and then, ” the jovial 67-year-old artist shares over a WhatsApp interview, saying that this seems like as good a time as any to try out something new online!

“I used to run regular art classes in the real world till Covid-19 came along. Now I cannot even pay them to come!” he jokes.

Prior to March 18 when the MCO came into being, Lee held various types of classes including Paint Nights, Social Painting, Corporate Team Bonding, Art & Craft workshops, private events such as birthday parties, Wine And Shine classes, under the name BrushupMy (you’ll find links to previous sessions on Facebook and Instagram).

“But since lockdown I’ve been sitting next to my wife, who is in real estate, and she is on zoom meetings every day. So it began to be clear to me that if people cannot come to me, I would have to go to them!” says Lee, who then enlisted the help of his adult son who lives in Toronto to enable him with some basic online teaching tools and skills.

“It drove him crazy teaching his old man, but I made it through running one online workshop last Saturday with 41 people and some hiccups. This new normal seems exciting and I am already plotting to go against the machine again this weekend, with 300 sign-ups so far!”

'Having always painted alone as a professional artist all my life, I was astounded by the joy of painting in a social setting,' says Lee (standing, middle), who raring to translate such an experience through a series of free online art classes.

Tomorrow (May 16), Lee will host his first free online “Acrylic Painting Workshop: How To Paint A Landscape In A Few Easy Steps.” The two-hour class will begin at 10am and all one has to do is register at http://tiny.cc/KULit. On the same day, at 3pm, there will be a free perspective drawing workshop for urban sketching, which will help you draw buildings in the urban environment.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting, and a shopping list of what you’ll need to have on hand – for the 10am class you’ll need brushes, acrylics paints, 16 x 20 inch canvas; for sketch class you’ll need a pen, pencil, 12 inch ruler and paper. And for both classes, Lee advises you don’t forget to bring your sense of adventure!

Lee started BrushUp when he was living in Toronto, Canada from 2010 to 2014. Prior to moving to Canada after his children had grown up, he worked as a graphic illustrator for many years in the advertising circles in Kuala Lumpur.

“Having always painted alone as a professional artist all my life, I was astounded by the joy of painting in a social setting, which I discovered during my time in Canada. It turned out to be really therapeutic and very relaxing. With an experienced instructor to guide you, you are assured you do not get ‘stuck’, ” explains Lee, before adding: “Art need not be a lonely hobby.”

Through BrushUpMy, Lee has been able to spread the joy of art, and use it as a social pursuit which brings people together – much like music and dancing.

“Many ‘would be artists’ who have joined BrushUp have told me they have bought and stored paints, canvasses, easels and brushes at home but never painted because they found it so difficult to get started! Or if they get stuck, they would just abandon their projects altogether. Well now, all they have to do is BrushUp and they will be well on their way to creating that masterpiece they have been planning all this while. And have fun and make new friends doing it.”

Lee is not ready to hang up his brushes now that the pandemic has driven people back into their homes temporarily.

“Let’s give this online art class a try and see how it goes. Cold sweat and a sense of adventure awaits the brave and foolhardy!” he jokes.

Along with the new venture, he has also developed a new pen name - KULit!

“I have been many things in the last five decades – airbrush illustrator, cartoonist, storyboard artist, painter, architectural perspective artist, 3D artist, street artist and, since last year, art teacher. And it’s time once again to shed the old skin and renew myself not really surprising as I was born in the year of the snake! Hence, I will assume a new KULit.”

For those interested in taking up the online art class you can get more information here.