9.24.2014

Daily Post #24: Carousel Girl

Practicing painting in black and white~

PS--Since I didn't start out with a sketch like I usually do, there is no "process" this time.  Painted on 4 layers total:  One for the horse, two for the girl, and one extra for miscellaneous holes.



9.22.2014

Daily Sketch #23: Cabana

Since Summer is sadly fading away, and it is now officially cooling down with Autumn, I thought I would do a warm, sunny spot under a cozy wooden outdoor seating area.  New colors are created by bounce light and sun filtering through the cabana coverings in this private corner.  We have a fresh jug of water with already melting ice and glasses prepared for a small party of three with a wedge of lemon for each.  Big elephant ear leaves linger over the edge of the seat, inviting us to an exotic place in our imagination, far from reminding us about the urban reality beyond the mustard walls...

Song:  "A Summer Song" - Chad and Jeremy


9.17.2014

Daily Sketch #22: Floyd Mayweather Jr.

There's been a lot of talk about Floyd Mayweather Jr.  AKA "Money" via the web, word of mouth, and even radio.  Undefeated for 47 fights and 26 of those wins were by KO, I wanted to practice drawing the a heavy rendering hand of Mayweather just prior to action.  The style is borrowed from an artist in the film and animation industry.  The blue background is for the cool pre-game state he's in.  He looks like a nice guy...before he steps into the ring, that is.

I think I'm going to have to do a faceoff with Mayweather vs. Manny Paquiao sketch in the future, since that will be an epic fight that we will never get to witness.

Focus is the key.




Process:



9.16.2014

Daily Sketch #21: Cage

Haven't done a self-portrait for a long time, so I figured I take the picture of myself taken on the last weekend of August at the Disneyland / Disney's California Adventure Ferris Wheel Ride with the sun setting against my face as reference. Life is really rocky right now--a trifecta of problems.  Haha, but who does have those?  Relationships, jobs, debt...the list goes on.

This sketch is dedicated to those who still have the fight in them and who know they will persevere forward in this mad concrete jungle we've evolved into.  Determination.  Courage.  Delivery.



Process:


9.12.2014

Daily Sketch #19: Ethnic Girl

Lame title, but it is what it is~

I thought it was really cool to see a fair, blonde little girl in tribal garb.  It's not what we usually see, and I love the mix of cultures or cultures I've never seen or experienced before.  Her pose tickles me with the slightly tilted head just barely perching on her tiny hands.  Was she ending a dance performance?  Was she just posing for the picture?  Even the blurry background behind her tells us we are not in North America.  Is it a golden deity statue?  A temple?  Earthy tones with a deep blue to contrast with her tri-toned hair [including white-grey dreadlocks!] and pale green eyes.  I loved everything about this, I just had to paint it~!


9.11.2014

Daily Sketch #18: Old Potter

Taking a break from the landscapes and practicing people again.  I've been drawing and painting a lot of old men--probably due to the recent passing of my grandfather.  May he finally rest in peace.  I will be doing a portrait of him in the near future, but for now, I want to exercise my sketching with other people's fathers and grandparents.  This is the first painting I've done in a single layer without much of the crtl Z combo--just a lot of painting over and erasing.  Reminded me of animation and art by William Kentridge.


9.10.2014

Daily Sketch #17: Growing Old is...

...not for the weak.  My father just came back from Brazil from my grandfather's passing.  Unfortunately, I was not able to visit and attend the two stressful weeks before the funeral.  For 18 years, my grandfather had lived with cancer.  I did this sketch of an old man, still fighting to lift weights and continuing his boxing training even in his older state while my grandfather was still alive, living off of an IV bag in the hospital.

We take advantage of how slow older people are, but in reality, they are the most experienced out of all of us.  They've lived an entire lifetime that we'll never truly know about except from their stories pulled from their fading [but glorified] memories.  I appreciate older folk, even if they have become bitter and cynical, because at one point, they too, were once happy and very much in love with their careers, spouses, children, and life itself.

Stay strong.  Eat Healthy.  Live long.



9.09.2014

Daily Sketch #16: Brazil

My father was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  My grandfather raised his children there and that is where he passed away and is buried.  This image reminded me of a memorial.  Was a nice quick drawing then painting under the lines.

Song:  "Girl from Ipanema" Justin Imperiale Remix - Ezel / Tamara Wellons


9.08.2014

Daily Sketch #15: Urban Landscapes - Spain

Mixing line art with fast coloring--want to get better at drawing accurately, and pinning the big blocks of color before I get too noodling with the details.

Song:  "Snake Charmer" - Ottmar Liebert

"Home is where the heart is."


9.05.2014

Daily Sketch #14: Urban Landscapes - Italy

Ok, I think I just need to spend time in this country!  Florence streets look beautiful no matter what time of day.  Huge architecture masterpieces housing other glorious works of art surrounding the alleyways and small cafes...  Dreamy sigh~

A quicker sketch today--rougher edges and shorter lines.  Song:  "Sarah Smiles" - Panic! At The Disco


9.04.2014

Daily Sketch #13: Urban Landscapes - France

Been recycling the romantic cities because I suppose those are the places I really want to go, and probably need in my life right now.  Picked soft pinks, purple lines, and a yellow wash for a light undertone.  I need to go back to the Eiffel Tower on a day without the overcast sky.

Song:  "Sally's Song" performed by Fiona Apple.


9.03.2014

Daily Sketch #12: Urban Landscapes - Italy

Another Italy one--more revolving around the culture.  Loved the moped, the flags, and subtle lighting [most of the street was in shadow].  In my previous sketches, I only had the environment; this time, I included the people.  Since Pizza was the theme, the colors went from grey to green lines, and red-orange shading.  Red and green peppers, red onions, red tomato sauce...  Oh, and the Italian flag, too!



9.02.2014

Daily Sketch #11: Urban Landscape - Czech Republic

I visited Prague and Ponesice with a CalArts group of 17 in 2011.  Take a look at my Tumblr photos HERE!