Painting at Emerald Hill

This post is 2 weeks late.

I started off rather nicely but didn't gather enough patience and time to work it out...so it ended up like this...ugly......

Half done...

After

I got another plant from Mr Ong again. A tree this time. To cover up my screwed up perspective and half done windows...life sux...my work sux...but I like the staircase...but the background still sux...

Happy Sweet 16th Samantha

This girl bugged me shamelessly at 12am..."Hehe...It's an important day now!"

Bloody hell...msg me at 12am in the middle of my rest. I didn't reply but I was inspired, to do a portrait of her! And so I got up and immediately did a sketch of her...

So here's what I did...

She's a pink princess wannabe so I thought a gown is what she wants...and party hat and cakes and etc...only thing was...I didn't have time to draw her a Prince Charming.

The revised version did have her fav cousins - Limmy and Junny...but again...I ran out of time so VIOLA~

Final Output

I am pretty amazed at how fast I worked this time...also partly cos I stole some elements from Illustrator de default symbol library...woohoo! I will probably spend sometime to improve my illustrator workflow and also to create some unique symbol on my own.

Tutorial - by renowned illustrator Charlene Chua

Watercolor Painting @ Danish Seaman Church

Our location last week was Danish Seaman Church on Mt Faber.

As my camera was down, and I rebuked my husband's suggestion to carry his D200...I have to paint the remaining based on my memory and imagination.

This isn't so bad because it actually allow me to spend more time to think about the shadow, shades and color mixing...instead of bothering about the accuracy of the landscape.

Before
After

I suppose I am getting better indeed...although I honestly don't felt so. Each painting is as much gabara-ing as before...I really need to spend time to understand my colors. Mr Ong added the coconut tree in front to break the monotonous layout. Nice touch...then other than enhancing the shadows...and darkening some of the windows...that's about it. The only thing that puzzled me was that...where I thought I've screwed up, Mr Ong thought its nice. Maybe its because the highlight, shadows and midtones are in place...I supposed.

I still think my painting looked kiddish...oh well...

Will make it a point to understand my colors and reorganise my palette this week!

My husband replaced my old G4 with a G5 iMac...its pretty cool. See how nice it goes with my iPod nano...tehehehe...he's in the spare room right now, clearing up the place so I can work with more proficiency.

After class today, we went into Art Friend...

To reward myself for completing 5 paintings, I bought a short-haired kolinsky brush from Straits (for better detailed shadow control), cartridge papers for watercolors(for illustration) and Windsor & Newton Indian Ink and Cobalt Ink(for illustration as well. Outline and color)

The actual reason why I am getting the ink is because of the bottle. I had one years back when I was a art student...it was really hard to search for and I really treasured this little bottle of Indian Ink. It was used up and dried out...RIP...

*My husband paid for the above items...to show his support...woohoo...

First Time Writer and Illustrator

I attended the First Time Writer and Illustrator workshop again this year...again...yes...I attended previous years as well. All the while being ambitious and wanting to write and illustrate a book on my own.

But...you know when you aren't determine enough...your deadline is forever. Just like 'asap'...means no deadline...so I never got around to doing it. This year however, is different...I actually told someone that I am an illustrator(though I kept thinking that I am not qualified for that title yet. Maybe illustrator apprentice will be more appropriate) and then I skipped the session the next day and viola~ someone mailed me on monday for a collabration.

And it happened!
I completed the work in time and hand-submitted today! Which is the deadline! I actually met the deadline!!! Oooohhh...super happy...I finally did it!

Showing the snapshot of the binded dummy book from my husband:

It was a pretty good joint venture and I am probably going to complete the book whether selected or not. Just to build my portfolio...hehehehe...

But I felt the accomplishment by submitting already. Thank you for the energy to work through the nights, God! AMEN!

Quote for the week

Marcos Chin - "I remember being a senior in art college and trying extremely hard to find a style that would get me more work; the thing that I didn’t realize at the time, was that my style would find me."

"And moving forward that is how I continue to approach my craft - I try my best to draw in a way that interests me, and to come up with ideas that move me - the moment I become bored or frustrated I focus on my process and just let the work that I am doing figure itself out. It’s a very non-linear way of thinking, but it works for me - putting myself metaphorically into a space that is uncomfortable and then blindly moving through it that helps to evolve my work (and style) on it’s own. Again, I don’t search for a style, the style finds me."

"Moreover, don’t worry so much about what others think about your work - hush those demons in your head that challenge your process and confidence while you are creating - this industry can be very difficult at times, and very hard to navigate through if you are constantly questioning yourself and your work - instead, just do the work, be prolific; over time your work will improve."

Excerpt from his interview with IllustrationFriday.
http://illustrationfriday.com/blog/2008/04/24/if-interview-marcos-chin/

Kelvin's Bday Present

I did a practise a couple of days before...which really sucks and I really did contemplated framing that first version instead...hahaha...

Am glad I didn't...part of the push was also because the size wouldn't fit the frame!
So I did this painting yesterday and surprised my husband this morning...hehehe...



Mixed media (color pencils for some shading)with what little time I have left after my watercolor class in the morning, shooing Kelvin out of the spare room(afternoon) and dinner with my in-laws. I am quite satisfied with the end result BUT...I think I screwed up a little with the lip area...but nonetheless, it is the first time I did a portrait in watercolor...so...have some mercy lah...

Watercolor Painting @ Buangkok Kampung

The last kampung in Singapore...

The atmosphere in the village was amazingly familiar...neighbors greeted one another...greeted the visitors...left their doors open...I am so thankful that I got to grow up in a kampung and I really rutted the day I was old enough and I told my mom no more going to the kampung..."I don't want to feed mosquitoes anymore!!!" were my actual words.

Ok ok...back to my work....

Before

I have to admit that the colors on the house came out very strongly because the first wash, I used a wrong color. After I got home, I used the correct color and tried to cover my mistake as much as I could.

Anyway, what I am satisfied with myself this time is:
1) Tried working with more details in the foreground.
2) Hinted details in the background and inside the house.
3) Exerted patience in waiting for the paints to dry and added a few shadows successfully.
4) Avoided using the same shadow color for the entire house.

After correction from Mr Ong

1) Top right corner, I left an irritating out-of-place shade of blue. (Kanna scolding from Mr Ong but I am SO HAPPY I made the mistake cos I got to watch Mr Ong paint the branches in from scratch!!!)
2) Mr Ong added more effective shadows on the house,
3) More shadows to the plot of green on the left.
4) Ground shadows from the plot of green on the left.
5) Darkening the wooden plank on the leftmost to tone it down and stop it from vying for attention from the house.

Wonderful. Many lessons learnt. Mr Ong also lent me a stack of children illustration booklets from the 80s. I am so going to scan them in and learn. You will be amazed how closely those drawings resembled the late Mary Blair. Illustrator for Disney's classic hit Alice in Wonderland and It's a Small World afterall.

Painting revealed

This time, I remembered to take a pic of my painting before sending to my teacher for review.

I did most of the work on the spot already and all I need to do is add in the green in the background. Quite relieved that I didn't screw it up further to warrant a total re-do. I should have anyway...to practise...anyway...

Before

After

I still have the same problems working my lighting and details. Technique also lacking...haiz...but I must not give up. Will definitely work on this scene again...

Prelude to my painting...

Lesson was resumed on the 17 Jan. I did a painting on the spot...well...3/4 done. Still need to touch up so no pic here yet.

The new easel is gorgeous to have and really get me in the mood to paint. Usually I will do only 1/4 on the spot...ehehhee...

I dragged my husband along with us and this is a pic he took...wow I looked so pro...only thing is...why do I held the brush like I am holding a paint??? Must be doing details...hehehe...

Totoro Forest Project

http://www.totoroforestproject.org/

http://totoroforestproject.org/tfp_blog/

This organisation is founded by Mr Hayao Miyazaki. Details from the website:

Hayao Miyazaki has been actively supporting the preservation effort of Sayama Forest for more than ten years. This 8750 acre park in the outskirts of Tokyo is also known as Totoro Forest. It's in these woods in fact that the concept for the film "My Neighbor Totoro" was born.

In the past few decades, the forest has been subject to urban development. Only continued support to the Totoro Trust Fund can help preserve this much needed island of green in the midst of Tokyo's urban sprawl. We intend to donate the entire proceeds of the project to this worthy cause.

This event can also be a symbolic gesture, sending a strong message to the world in terms of environmental and social awareness. Imagine artists from all over the world coming together to donate artwork to help conserve a forest they have never seen.

Watercolor Lesson 7?

Today is our 1st watercolor lesson in 2009! (Lesson 7 already meh? Can't remember...lost tracks...but I know for sure before we close for holiday, Mr Ong gave a demonstration)

I promised myself that I will do 2 paintings...one for submission today and the other for standby in cases where I cannot produce...

My plan was disrupted by a Nintendo Wii and as a consequence...I have to spend time from 9pm to 2am for 3 consecutive days to finish up one painting...

This is my painting on Mr Ong's easel...

I forgotten totally that I have to take a 'BEFORE' photo!!! ARRGGHHH!!! Mr Ong corrected a lot of mistakes lor...and blended away the 'cauliflowers' (referring to huge blot of unjustifiable blotches)...HAPPY! But he chided me saying this painting is "40% Ong KimSeng liao..."

Well...I am still new mah...and at least I learnt mah...

This is the final result...Gorgeous~

Thank you Mr Ong~ I will work on my shadows and I promise not to repeat colors for areas supposed to have different perspective....

I finally got my easel today!!! The salesgirl immediately inform me the tripod is here when I stepped into their store~ So happy! I got it immediately without further ado...

The quality is simply gorgeous...color is great and I think the quality is equivalent to Manfrotto of tripods...

All good things comes to those who wait...ahahaha...I've been waiting for 4yrs and 3months now, for the right easel to come along...and finally it is here today...

I am so delirious that I will name my easel 'Donnie'...

OIC Portrait Day - 2009 Jan 03

Yesterday was my first participation with the OIC team...
I was pretty nervous and its a good thing I dragged Mr Foo along. My husband was sick and he went home after lunch...2pm to 7pm was quite a long wait...but later on I realised that he knew some of the folks at OIC.

Couple posing for the artists...

Mr Foo and ShuFen

It was great to catch up with Shufen again! She's every bit as bubbly and cheery as when I last saw her in...2003? WOW...where did the time go???

Shufen was groaning in hunger so we bid the group farewell and adjourned to a (not-so-near cafe) at Chinatown.

Mr Foo wondering when is his sandwich arriving...

Food finally arrived! Looks really yummy...with the wooden fork...haha

Shufen's recommended this photography book. I love the cho lian of Mr Takashi Homma's daughter in his pictorial of her and Tokyo...and my rootbeer float...

Chalkboard...seems so long ago...

Me and Shufen~

These are my drawings on that day:



It is by God's grace that I met such a wonderful bunch of artists who organised such a fun event...

I know I have a lot more to improve on and it is truly by God's grace that I sold one drawing...to cover my participation fees and the rootbeer...now I am even more inspired...