Cheah Thien Soong is a celebrated artist born in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. He graduated from Chung Hua High School Seremban, Malaysia, in 1959 and NAFA, Singapore, in 1962. Cheah trained in Chinese ink and Western painting under Nanyang pioneer artists Chen Wen Hsi, Cheong Soo Pieng, Chen Chong Swee, See Hiang To, and Georgette Chen, teachers who profoundly influenced his artistic sensibilities. He furthered his studies and received his doctorate from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in 2002.
Cheah renders Moon Hill, a natural element from Guilin Mountains, in this preparatory sketch. The illustration shows that the hill has a natural arch that curves upwards. Cheah creates lines of different textures and vigour to capture the trees' sway and the mountains' textures.
