✦ Meet the artist
About
I’m Crystal Lau, a contemporary artist specialising in watercolour and oil painting, and the founder of SKY GALLERY.
Art is not merely colour on paper; it is an observation of the world and a timeless extension of one’s emotions.
For over a decade, my greatest joy has been stepping outdoors with my easel in hand — embracing the practice of plein air painting. There is something magical about chasing the light, capturing the subtle breeze, and transforming fleeting natural moments into lasting visual stories.
Plein air painting is more than just a technique; it is a conversation between the artist and the world. Unlike working in the controlled environment of a studio, painting outdoors challenges me to react in real time — to the shifting shadows across an old urban street, or the golden sun rays striking a centuries-old wooden shrine.
Look closely at the world around you. There is quiet beauty hidden in the bustle of daily life. Standing on a vibrant city street corner, I am drawn to the strong geometric shapes of weathered buildings, the distinctive warmth of classic store signs, and the interplay of light reflecting off passing vehicles. Painting these scenes isn’t about capturing every single detail; it’s about translating the rhythmic pulse of the city and its sun-drenched atmosphere onto paper with decisive, confident washes.
Every location carries its own unique voice and light. When travelling, my sketchbook becomes my most personal travel diary. Sitting before intricate traditional architecture — observing the rich warm tones of carved wooden beams and luminous paper lanterns — plein air painting forces me to slow down. It turns a quick visit into a deep, meditative experience where every stroke pays homage to craftsmanship, history, and sacred tranquility.
Plein air painting teaches us to let go of perfectionism and embrace spontaneity. It builds quick observation skills, strong value control, and a deep intuition for colour harmony that no studio setting can replicate.
Through my courses, I want to invite you to step out of your comfort zone, pick up your brush, and experience the world through an artist’s eyes. You don’t need to travel far — beauty is waiting right outside your doorstep, ready to be painted.
While painting is a personal form of expression, I believe art becomes truly powerful when shared. Over the years, my work has been featured in mainstream media, published in art collections, and acquired by institutional permanent collections, such as the Sun Museum. In 2018, I launched my YouTube channel, Crystal Lau Art, to share the joys of plein air sketching and art history with a broader audience. It showed me how art can bridge distances and connect people anywhere in the world.
Since childhood, art class was always the highlight of my week and my most consistent source of pride. I spent countless hours at home with a paintbrush in hand, sketching whatever caught my eye. Soon my school textbooks were filled with drawings — and it wasn’t long before my classmates’ books became my canvases too. Over time I realised that painting was more than a passing interest; it was my true passion. Representing my school in art competitions and earning awards brought me immense joy and built my foundation as an artist.
My journey as a teacher began at the age of 16. That was the moment I discovered something incredible: guiding others to paint and watching them fall in love with art is even more rewarding than completing a painting of my own.
Later I opened my own art studio, a vibrant space that has now thrived for over 15 years. Throughout this journey the greatest reward has been connecting with so many fellow art lovers. While I share my technical knowledge with my students, they teach me just as much in return — showing me new perspectives and deeper ways to feel and experience art. Teaching and learning truly feed into each other.
I am deeply grateful for this online platform, which allows me to reach and connect with art enthusiasts from around the world. Here we learn together, grow together, and celebrate the joy of creation.
To give you complete confidence in learning with me, here is a glimpse into my journey as an artist and educator.
Founder of SKY GALLERY with over 10 years of teaching experience; recipient of the Outstanding Art Education Award; invited artist exchange at the Repin Academy of Fine Arts in Russia.
Permanent collection at the Sun Museum; work featured on local magazine cover stories and dedicated art publications.
Four of the dated rows are Crystal’s honours. The 2016 exhibition poster is the printed poster for the show listed above it — it is not an award. The rows marked Demo are layout scaffolding — they show the table scrolling past its five visible rows and how a landscape, portrait or square scan fits the same mount. They are not awards and will be removed before launch.
Many people want to paint, but stop themselves before they even begin. They worry about “lacking natural talent,” struggle with controlling unruly watercolours, or feel overwhelmed by the layers of oil painting.
Here is the truth: painting is not an exclusive privilege for a gifted few — it is a learnable, structured skill.
In my courses, you won’t find overly academic jargon or intimidating rules. Instead, I focus on warm, practical, step-by-step guidance:
Learn to see the world differently by understanding light, proportion, structure, and atmospheric depth.
Gain full control over watercolour transparency and oil layering rules so your materials work with you, not against you.
My goal isn’t to teach you how to copy my style, but to help you build the confidence to paint what speaks to your heart.
Welcome! Consider this studio your safe space to explore, experiment, and have fun without any pressure.
Looking to refine your brushwork, master light and shadow, or deepen your plein air skills? You’ll find structured, practical insights to help you break through to the next level.
Grab a cup of tea, set up your brushes, and let’s enjoy the process of bringing colour to life!
A question about a course, a commission, or just to show me what you’re painting this week — write to the studio and it comes straight to me.
Courses are one-time purchases — no subscription. Pricing and the terms of access are being finalised and will be confirmed here before launch.
A refund policy will apply to course purchases. The exact terms are still being confirmed and will be published here before launch.