Fabulana

Painting at Emerald Hill

2009-03-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-02T07:17:00.001-08:00

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

2009-03-01T05:43:00.000-08:00

Watercolor Painting @ Danish Seaman Church

2009-02-28T04:18:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-27T06:19:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-15T04:51:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-15T04:34:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-15T02:50:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-06T06:40:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-01-26T21:27:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-20T23:14:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-01-10T08:15:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-04T04:24:00.000-08:00

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...

Note to self...

2008-12-24T00:55:00.000-08:00

Sometimes...you need to talk to yourself...

Aleksandr Petrov

2008-12-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

His works are amazingly detailed and it is scary how he is still using the traditional method of oil pastels on glass...woopeemama...
He won an academy for "Old man and the sea". Then I saw his work again in "Winter Days"...beautiful works...

Check him out at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Petrov_(animator)

Check out his latest work with studio Ghibli at:
http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/mezame/trailer/

Watercolor Palette

2008-12-20T06:34:00.000-08:00

I spent $70 over bucks on sable hair brushes at Straits Commercial - Colorpro brushes from Japan. I have to admit that I am not at all tempted or confident that I will stay on in this media long enough to invest in a proper kolinsky brush...maybe some 10-15 yrs later or after I sold one painting...or whichever comes first...

So the new brushes got me into the mood again and I reorganised my palette, since I've gotten a larger one.

I've wasted quite an innocent amount of paint...but let's hope I memorise the colors and their names. Next will be working on how their mixes will turn out...a bit lazy...but hey...cool!...

Need to get my basics covered and 2 paintings done during this break before we resume lessons next year. The class are going to Nepal for painting and I don't think I am good to go...haiz...after a while bah...when I find my painting voice...

I recently purchased a battery box from Daiso to keep all my Horadam watercolor tubes. Fitted perfectly and my collection is modest enough to fit in a sponge too. Hehehe...

TokiDoki and DevilRobots

2008-12-19T06:06:00.001-08:00

One of the best cross-over since Alien vs Predator...hehehe...

Froggies at Rasa Sentosa

2008-12-16T20:55:00.000-08:00

I was commissioned by Pixel Squad to work on these illustrations for Rasa Sentosa back in 2006. The funny thing about Pixel Squad is...this is the first time we worked together and they gave me the job before they even see my portfolio...haha...

Glad everything turned out well and the clients were happy. The illustrations were on the murals of the children play area in Rasa Sentosa. I haven't seen the actual thing yet and I hope they haven't tear it down...

Artist - Fuyuko Matsui

2008-12-16T06:40:00.001-08:00

She is so beautiful...I am so in love with her...her work is amazing but not really my cuppa tea...
To find out more about Ms Matsui, go to her web at
http://matsuifuyuko.com/

No pic of her gorgeous self on her blog though...I got it thru goggle image...Aawee...who say Beauty and Talent don't go together...for once I must complain...God is so unfair!!! :P

Illustration Oct 24 Fri - Repair

2008-11-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

Finish liao! Finish liao!!!

Now I can finally move on...gotta try working faster next time! My husband made fun of me..."isn't this the topic several fridays ago?"

Sheesh...

Halfdone Illustration Oct 24 Fri - Repair

2008-11-16T07:40:00.001-08:00

I am having a illustrator block...can't seem to continue...

I will probably feel better once I forced myself to finish up the boy and do the remaining touches in Photoshop...

Current mood: I suck...

Nanyang Art Supplies Sdn Bhd

2008-11-09T07:05:00.000-08:00

136 Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur 50000, Wilayah Persekutuan

p: 603-20787066 f: 603-20788525

Must go the next time I am in KL....soon, I supposed...hehehe...

Heartlands:Home and Nation in the Art of Ong Kim Seng

2008-11-06T18:24:00.000-08:00

HEARTLANDS: Home and Nation in the Art of Ong Kim Seng

• 16 Oct 2008 – 30 Nov 20087 Nov (Fri) •

Singapore Art Museum 71 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189555. Tel: 63323222

Singapore Art Museum (SAM) and the National Arts Council (NAC) are proud to present HEARTLANDS: Home and Nation in the Art of Ong Kim Seng, a major exhibition of Singapore’s foremost watercolourist Ong Kim Seng. The show features 35 paintings, together with a companion book and video presentations, of significant places present and past in Singapore’s urban heartlands. The exhibition is supported by the Housing and Development Board and the Standard Chartered Bank.

Half Flat: Arts of Illustrator

2008-11-06T18:21:00.000-08:00

Show Opening: 29.11.2008, 7:30pm
Exhibition: 30.11.2008 - 20.12.2008 •
ADMISSION FREE
Black Earth Art Museum • 352 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427599Opening hours 12noon - 9pm • Closed on Monday.

Thanks to Sze Liat for showing me this piece of info~

3rd & 4th Watercolour Lesson

2008-11-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

For our 4th lessons, we went out to Alkaff Mansion. I was really excited as I've heard of the place even though I've never been there...

I was disappointed by the current status the mansion was in. It had lost all of its former glory and glow...I wish the organisation that bought it will save it...

But Alkaff Mansion remained to be one of Mr Ong's favourite painting haunt...I think...
And I was complacent...thinking that the place is still well-maintained...I never bring my insect repellent! Luckily Mr Ong got bring...he offered a Japanese brand and China brand one...without hesitation, everyone goes straight for the Japanese brand...

Basic painting equipments...

I already have the chair but I need the serving tray...I haven't invest in an easel yet as I am not confident that I will use it...after all, I didn't produce anything during the Amoy Street outing...

While I was still sketching, Mr Ong had already started to paint...he 'cheated' in fact, he sketched with watercolour...hehe...
Not completely done yet already looking so promising...haiz...master is master...

This is my chosen shot...

I finally disciplined myself to at least complete the painting for class correction today. Got paint, got show, got correction, got learn!
I love what Mr Ong had fixed for me! And I learnt! Cannot gabera already...will put in more effort in mastering the water and the color mixing...

Felt more inspired now that I finally painted something on my own. My classmates were super encouraging as well...and they are all really fantastic painters...still learning under Mr Ong!

Works of classmates...

Those really good ones have minimal correction. Those really really really good one...Mr Ong will say..."Can sign already!" or..."This one can sell!"

Classes with my classmates and Mr Ong are really fun and lighthearted...the way painting should be...

Sketch Oct 24 Fri - Repair

2008-10-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

Finally completed the sketch today...in between what little break times I have during work...and time at home were spent trying to complete my first proper outdoor painting...

Late but I will set to complete it before the next topic came out...

For our wedding 1st anniversary...

2008-10-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

I wanted to surprise my husband. I want to draw and paint this and frame it up. I have this image of 2 cute little characters...that's as cute as our representative DDungs...

I even dragged my colleague to Ikea to chose a frame with me...but as it turns out...its very amateurish...I am so very tempted to forgo the entire project and just stick to my forte...vectorising....

At least the colors will be so much more brilliant than what I could conjure with watercolor...haizz...but the biggest boo-boo was...Kelvin arrived home before the paint dry and before I can hide it!!!

Don't care ar...I spent the whole afternoon doing this so he's gotta like it regardless...although I think the faces are a tad orangy...I think I will do another one...and hide it carefully from him this time! But hor on 2nd thought...I think I will just print out the DDungs shot that we took on our own and frame them up and present to him instead...hehehe...

2nd Watercolour Lesson

2008-10-27T05:47:00.000-07:00

Outdoor sketching at Amoy Street...

I am too shy...and I don't know that Singapore has such a lot of Indian Tourists nowadays. Even the Tian Hock Temple's swarmed with tourists. Caucasians and Indians. And you know Indians...being shy really isn't their virtue...so many of them tried to catch my attention and half the time I was horrified and I so wanted to hide my 'ugly' drawing but I have to carry on sketching...

*I only fill in the colors after I got home...

I've paid for this lesson and I am so damn well gonna draw! But I think its my own fault for choosing a spot away from the group. Nice try, Ranna! Stupid is as stupid does...next time I am gonna hurdle together with my classmates and let the better ones be harassed indeed~

I am just complaining for fun...this is really a wonderful training process for me. Impatient...wanna fly before even learning how to walk...haiz...

This is a shot of what Mr Ong did on the spot.

It is damn nice lor! Even though it's half done...The passerbys are added on by him and he even altered the tree...

Must jia you! I am studying under a great master...so much to learn from him...

I didn't start painting on the spot so that really totally took away the drive to complete the painting. I must get new watercolor papers, probably a bit more colors to play with and also...an easel. I noticed that Mr Ong and my classmates got some of those serving trays to use as a desktop...I wonder if which artshop did they get it from?

Watercolour Lesson 1

2008-10-27T04:38:00.001-07:00

I don't know what stirred me but I went to email to the super famous Mr Ong and he found a vacancy for me in his class!

So I went to the class...absolutely clueless about what to expect. I was early, I was the first student to arrive.

Mr Ong asked me where I worked and I told him honestly...he goes..."Oh...Do you know Mr Ho? He's also from your company!"

"Ohh..." I smiled and took a while to digest that fact...then it finally dawned on me..."You mean my colleague is my classmate here???"

"Noo nooo...your colleague's FATHER is your classmate here..."

Small world man...turns out my GM's father is my watercolor classmate. So you can imagine how very young I am in my class. hehehe...this got me to suspect that I managed to get a seat in Mr Ong's class because his student (who had a eye problem) probably needed cataract surgery...