Sinking

"Let them think what they liked, but I didn't mean to drown myself. I meant to swim until I sank- but that's not the same thing"
-Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness

Let the Summer Begin

School has been absolutely exhausting, but it's over. And about time too, I was so fatigued. My head was aching and my body had the chills all over. I generally don't get sick, so I was feeling pretty awful which... didn't exactly help me focus on exams. I'm still recovering two days later.


Despite the astronomical load of work I've had to do, I still managed to find some time to sketch (though I wish I could say the same about sleep).

Watch out for...

To a certain degree everyone has these thought tendencies but I believe we, as artists, are more susceptible to distorted thinking. Severe cases will fester unhealthy mentality about one's work and self. While it's one thing to be your own worst critic, it's another to be a self-condescending dictator. Be mindful, recognize these thinking patterns, and aim for something more realistic, but most of all don't forget to be kind to yourself.

I'm digging the new Coldplay music video. haha. so cute.

Elegant Lettering

Isn't this super pretty? Well thanks! I think so too!






But unfortunately it's not my work. Oh poo.

A gift from a friendly Parisian. ^^

Nudity

Figure drawings from the past few sessions. We have this new model who's just fantastic. I love it when the pose can just draw itself :)

Help!

...save the arts in public schools!



(It could be the because of the lighting but that "crayon" is actually assembled with a tapioca straw, green construction paper and black marker)

Our Lady

Re-posting seems like I'm "cheating" or something to that similar effect. Hm. Well it was originally here and as a submission for Illustration Friday, I didn't really want to edit or rearrange that old post. So here, it's special enough to have its own post now.
(Although it's been many months, this Notre Dame drawing still stands to be the best architectural piece I've done since.)



Oh Paris... I miss you :(

Discovering...

NEW figure drawings

Last semester I was studying and practicing a lot of figure drawing and saw improvement each week. It was awesome. Here's where I currently am this semester:

More Old Stuff

I remember being really tired when doing this one ^

The sun was blazing in my eyes and my feet hurt from walking so much... ^
From top to bottom is my parents' kitchen, Alacatraz as viewed from Fisherman's Wharf, and the Dutch Windmill by Ocean Beach.
The Dutch Windmill day was kind of strange. heh, in a good way. I walked there from my house (in my head it seemed a lot closer). I then started to chat with this old man sitting next to me and told me about the newly wed couple taking pictures by the windmill. And not like he was proposing but of out curiosity, asked if I was married... heh well can't say I've ever been asked that before.

Afterwards I was sketching and this woman sat besides me. Again I found myself chatting. She was an artist too and... a tarot card reader too. Naturally I asked, and she said sure (still had to pay though. darn it!) She asked me to think up a question in my head. At first I thought about my future career/ success but ultimately thought something else. Despite that, a lot of the cards ended up being about money. hmm sounds like a good thing. :)

Then Nelson, Chris, and Priscilla showed up to sketch also. How kooky! :P

breezy

Two Sketchbooks Ago...II

Sometimes I don't think I know what I'm doing. My head feels like a pretzel.

Two Sketchbooks Ago...

Two sketch books ago was last summer, during and after the month long stay in France. Looking at the them I saw my enthusiasm and growth. I don't know why I hadn't used some of my pages for my portfolio earlier, but I'm getting on it. Here's a sneak preview: This is an artisan bread maker in action by Pier 39. He was working behind a large panel of glass so tourists could watch him roll out dough bears, dough crabs, dough alligators, etc. There was even a button and speaker people could press to talk the baker. It was pretty cool to watch (and sketch). But with so many people around, a couple of them brought attention to the baker I was drawing him... I (reluctantly) showed him the sketch. And I don't think he liked it. hahaha. Yes I exaggerated the nose but he, as well as a not-so-quiet tourist, didn't find that to be particularly appealing.
Ugh there's just too much pressure in showing portraits to the persons I draw. If I know they're going to see it, I feel like I have to capture likeness and flattery. Then I end up not being able to draw them at all. I don't want people to not like it.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.