Illustre 2010

I've got a banner up at this exhibition. It's going to be crazy and would love to see you there. It'll be open till 4 November, at 187 Rundle Street, foyer of black sheep advertising. :)

Quick Artist Mention

It's been a while since I've updated the blog. I've been going through one of the most trying times of my life. Probably the hardest I'll say to date. Circumstances have been forced onto my situation that decisions are forced to be made and I'm not happy at all. I'm just wondering to myself how am I going to get by each day but with the help of my friends, they're willing and volunteering to help me through. I'm deeply grateful to them.

My dearest friend Michael Politakis is finally back! He has been away at the Illustration Academy learning and becoming great at his own craft. I'm so happy that he's taken this opportunity for himself and also, a chance to travel. He's passing on the Illustration academy vibes to another friend, Andre and I.

Also, we drew more inspiration after visiting one of our teachers back at uni's exhibition, Robin Eley. He's going into fine arts and his work is getting better and grabbing more attention. I wish to be able to paint as well as him one day!

I'll do my best to get back into drawing and painting. It's hard at the moment for me to focus and also I have projects coming along too so wish me luck!

Other than that, I've been looking at Michael Zavros work on his website. He has some great realistic styles and do have a look at his website.




Photo from smh.com.au

Cramping

Random Moleskine Doodles

Artist Alert: Yuta Onoda

She has beautiful work and love the way she uses her colours. Do check out her blog and website.

Kit Design Entry 2010

Trying my hand at illustrating a packaging for Kit Cosmetics.
Sketch --> Painting --> Final Design.

Wished uni taught us about using pantone colours. It's a simple design which I'm semi-meh-happy with.

Sneak Peek

Sneak peek to a work in progress

Try drawing left hand!

I tried drawing left hand at life drawing tonight. A fellow artist decided to try it and it turned out to be the best piece he's ever done. The first piece was done by left hand. Think I might continue that in future. Second was done using my usual right. Maybe artists and illustrators should learn to use both hands. If you're determined, maybe feet too!



Tried using blue chinagraph in the picture with the girl with glasses. Fail! Maybe I'll have to use it to sharpen edges and lines but not smudging. I also drew a small portrait of my two day twin for her birthday. Glad she liked it.

Happy Birthday to me and my friends who share the same birthday.

More stuff from wednesday's life drawing. :) I'm still working on concepts for Kit Designs 2010.

Creature Comforts

Oils Practice

Decided to get back into using oils. It's a beautiful medium and would use it more often if I had a better ventilated area to work in. I had to keep my balcony door open at all times and the cold air rushing through.

My set up is sitting on the beanbag and working on the easel. Turn the small heater in front of me at times. Put some music in the PS3 to blast away in the background. Now my job is to keep at it and practise acrylics too.

Currently reading Twyla Tharp's "The Creative Habit".

Three colour scribble using burnt sienna, white and black in my brown sketchie.

Lesson learnt from this: I'll be using Q tips and cotton wools to smudge. Can't afford to lose anymore skin from my fingertips. Kraft paper is heaps rough.

Wish I had more time to finish this at life drawing. I've got black pastel powder embedded on the sides of my nails. Love that look.

Oh well, need more supplies again.

Another press ad redone.

More scribbles

I was advised by Harry that I should have some press ads in my design portfolio and to start off, I'll have to scout around for ads that could look better. I get Swish newsletters in my email from time to time and it's heaps simple but could do better with their fonts and info. This is my version for one of their newsletters.



Even though I was tired and feeling sick, I managed to be a little loose during life drawing. According to Harry and Tom, I did well last night. Working on kraft paper is easier than working on the bright blinding white paper. Everyone's got their process. I'm still working on mine.

Thanks to my smiggle to-do list, it has set me on the right track and getting more work done, including my laundry. You can buy them at Smiggle.

Bought a Kraft sketchbook from Etsy. Inspired to try it out after looking at Tom from life drawing work on it and Miss Audrey Kawasaki. Not many people make these books so I was lucky to find this lady who does make them. It's a little pricey for an A5 but it's the best I could find. You can buy the little brown book at Etsy

Also, bought myself a to-do list book from Smiggle to help me get back on track after Dad and Granduncle left Adelaide. Good investment as it's always sitting in front of me, reminding me what I have to do.

Miles Davis

White conte & white charcoal pencil on black (A3)

Another life drawing session

Moleskine Doodles

2010

New Year.

Big blow to the new year when my Grandaunt passed away on 22 January 2010, 1.50am in Singapore. We were close and she was an important person in my life. Influenced me in drawing and taught me finger painting in primary school. I still remember the goldfishes she helped me in my art homework. She used to draw caricatures of me sitting in her blah green beetle. She too, played the piano wonderfully. She was like a grandma to me. Everything happened so fast and I miss her terribly everyday.

I'll do my best and make it here in Australia for her and for me. She was the one who helped me get here in the first place. I miss you, Lau Ee.

I've also set up a new discipline this year to put something in the moleskine everyday.

Did my first life drawing class for 2010. Posting up the better pieces.