Before and After

I decided to organize my deviantfolder when I saw this old painting I did years ago.

For fun, I decided to do a speedy rework on one of it, and here's the result.

It was fun. Maybe if I need to relax, or I'm stuck and in need to refresh my creative flow, I might do one of these again.

I'm challenging you guys to do this. It'd be fun to know the improvement on your knowledge or ability or skills.

And if possible, tag me, post your links here, so I can see yours too. ^^

January and ACEOs

I have started digital painting again, as you can see from my previous post. But this time, I tried to challenge myself with a female conceptual, which I enjoyed greatly!!!

I have finished it, lasted me for a while because I have been at it - on and off - especially since I took an obligatory vacation (which I enjoyed greatly btw).

Let me introduce you to her. Her name is Arache, a part of a circus troupe. She uses her skills with threads to perform tricks, make her own clothes and the rest of the troupes. But someone reckons that she uses those threads sometimes for some wicked reason. What do you guys think?

Arache - you can see the full art in my deviant (which I shall shamelessly plug that if you want a print, she's available in deviantart as well...^^ )

I have been to Lingayen, my mom's hometown, and it has been lovely. I've had wonderful chats (syempre may kasamang chismisan) with relatives and lots of tight hugs. Despite the unfamiliar cold, in which I both loved and hated because I can wear sweaters and scarfs, but was too cold that I had the sniffles (and even hugs our dog so she can sleep because she was shivering during the night).

I love this app on android that can just make your skin perfect. Yes, my vain self can't resist not using it, so don't be fooled. I am not skin model material.

// taken on Burnham Park, Baguio.

During that vacation, I'ved also made a few ACEOs (or Artist Trading Cards) to add to the Butterfly series. Let me share those.

Some have been asking if I'll be selling this, and if so, where would I sell it.

Well, I do intend to sell this series. As to where, I am still debating and researching where (Probably Etsy or Ebay?). If you have any idea where I can best sell this, please do tell me so. Leave a comment or email me (email and other possible ways of contacts are listed on the sidebar).  I would greatly much appreciate it.

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Wow, I have a habit of making long blog post. I should try to make it a habit of frequently posting so that I won't have to make this TL:DR -- sorry folks.

inbehalf of my closest artist friends:

credit to Glenda Maye Abad for this cute and fat and assumingly prosperous horse.

Anyway, tomorrow is February! How was your first month of 2014 went? What else have you been guys up to? Have you made any recent artworks?

Swords and Fire

If you asked me, I prefer to draw pretty girls and ladies, sometimes a comic and funny little things, weird things, dark things... But I have never attempted to seriously draw men and warriors except for doodles, portraits and work purposes.

So I challenged myself last December, and it was the hardest to pull out any inspiration. After 3 days of practically being unproductive and staring into my computer, a sudden inspiration came to me. Being a fan of Benedict, and amidst all the Hobbit movie on the cinemas and the mini episode of Sherlock, I finally decided -- whatever -- I will put two things I like and combine it with my challenge.

Hence, the attempt of mixing Benedict + Dragon Fire + some sort of warrior ----

There's something about it that I am never quite satisfied, but anyway, I am calling this one finished~ I am going to update a hi-res version on my deviantart for prints purposes. ^^

Life is soooo changeable.

Hi there~!

It has been a while. I am so sorry that I haven't updated as often as I should have. There has been so many changes in schedule that it got me all confused, leaving me in resignation that this is December, when everyone around is particularly feeling festive, hence, more focus on shopping, activities, parties, and family reunions.

...

Our major exhibit has been cancelled, which I was quite thankful for. Our "Pride is Love" exhibit that has been rescheduled has been ultimately cancelled, due to everyone focusing their energy to helping the Yolanda victims.

Partly, I was a bit sad since I have been looking forward to it, but wholly I was glad, because frankly, at those times, I couldn't concentrate on anything. I am more worried on how to extend help, and also worried for a friend that has also suffered the storm (though luckily, I have already hugged her just 2 days ago).

I would like to extend my thanks in this blog, to all my friends from Japan/Singapore/Bulgaria - specifically to the fans of 이준기 whom I have known for a while for donating to the Philippines.

I have also seen a lot of effort from a particular set of fans who call themselves Cumbercollectives (Benedict Cumberbatch fans) in accumulating donations (seen their efforts thru tumblrs and twitters) for the Yolanda Victims.

I have also seen efforts from other celebrities, and online personalities campaigning and helping.

Thank you.

_____________

Anyway, I have succesfully finished a painting that I lent for a one day Prayer Exhibit, and I am excited to say, this one has been sold and found a new owner~Q.

Wishful Dream

acrylic on canvass 20x20

 Cradle her with love and care Q.

Moving on to our INK exhibit titled : FORNEVER FRIENDS, it is still up in the Chocolate Kiss Cafe. Anyone who has the opportunity to drop by, please do so~♥

Here are few snippets of the artworks that I love, shamelessly and proudly including mine.

Here is my piece while on the work in progress stage.

 Titled PLAY DEAD (watercolor/graphite/colored pencil)

Also, I have started making some ACEO's for sale. This will be a collection, of what--- I will let you know if I finish it.

Thanks btw for all of the reblogs and the comments from before. Any hellos from the comment box will also be a good encouragement (it means there are people actually reading these posts --- though I know, that they are -- often times I find comments on my facebook... but saying hi here is also loved).

2014 is already so close.

How was your 2013?

Pencil Art

Forgive me for being absent for such a while. I've been quite busy -- not busy enough not to go online, but there have been attempts to update this blog, then I'd be distracted by other things, I end up not getting anything done at all.

Last night, I promised myself (I even wrote it in one of my post its) to update this, and so here am I, with lots of things to distract me, yet I pulled myself out of it just so I can do my duty in this private corner of mine.

---

I just realized that it has been a month since I even done any updating. (just awful Annie, awful)

What's keeping me busy? Well currently, a lot of group exhibits:

     ♦ Preparing for a group exhibit I am partaking in --- (tentatively postponed to Nov 27 at QC City Hall -- if you are in the area, please come, anyone is invited)

     ♦ Another Group Exhibit by Dec 1 at Chocolate Kiss.

     ♦ Another Group Exhibit at Megamall (though I am hoping I could make it in time for this one)

I will be updating with more details on these.

---

This past October has just been about pencils and sketches. While I was conceptualizing for my piece on the City Hall Exhibit, I was also loosening up with a few pencil sketches and color pencil sketches.

Here are my sketches [ I used mechanical pencil and a 2B lead on a moleskine sketchpad ]

Just some warm-up sketches while I get the feel of the moleskine paper

Getting rather experimental and brave, I used a whole spread to do this one, and I liked it. So I will probably doing more of this spread sketches.

In the mood for another experiment, this one with a dash of color and is inspired with the character of Poppet (Morgenstern's character from the delightful literary work - Night Circus)

This one is a commission work using colored pencils. I am happy she liked it so much, and also flattered because one friend who has seen this told me that his husband wants an artwork of mine tattooed on him (wow!)

I love working with pencils. I can control them the best, but right now, I am using a lot of experiments with acrylic.

Oh, and a shout out to a friend for giving me two gifts I love so much.

Thank you for these Prim. I love it to bits. ♥

So that's that.

I won't be making this post any longer if I can help it. If you guys have any questions, just fireaway. I am available for commissions this December (you can find my email on the sidebar).

Next post will probably be about the exhibits. Ta-taah!♥

SI SEPTEMBER ART JAM : FAIRY TALE MAYHEM

Last Saturday, 28th of September, our group -- I, Glenda and Tinsley (called the Sessions Illustrated) held our monthly art jam at the AFTERS MANILA CAFE, a delightful place with good coffee/cakes/gelato and otherelse. Our group holds this monthly artjam to be able to have fun while boosting up our creative juices and trying out various cafes in the metro.

Anyone is welcome to join us! So you, who is reading this entry, as long as you have the love for art and sketching, even if you can only do stick people (as some may say) --- YES YOU ARE VERY MUCH WELCOME TO JOIN US~ ^^

Thank you, to all who joined us - KC (secret agent),  Tin (web designer), Cess (web designer), Butch (Comic Book Artist), Elaine (CCAgent), and Jane (ESL teacher).

Our theme this time was Fairytale Mayhem -- causing havoc with the childhood stories, and portraying them in our sketches. Ofcourse, the whirlwind that was unleashed was quite unforgiving, as some had the task to portray Ursula as a porn star, or put Puss in Boots in a gay bar scene.

Whatever it is that took place in that event, it left us laughing while we squeeze our minds to portray random situations that we drew from the choices we, ourselves, created.

Here are the scans of some the great sketches of those who were with us last saturday. Try and guess what the situations are:

As for how was the cafe, it was such a charming place. I think at one point, they over heard us talking and flailing about Sherlock Series (sherlock fans here), and thats why they lovingly made a froth art in one of our orders:

Sherlock + Inking

Think b4 u Ink

Well, at least that's what I wanted to think~♥

Oh, and their selections of gelato are absolutely amazing. I haven't had those because I think I ordered more than enough, and I can no longer stuff myself with Gelato. Next time though, I promise I will.

Overall, it was such a blast. Next time, please come. We want to spread the spirit of creativity and help the professional artists find the fun in art again, and also inspiring the aspiring ones.

Mini Art Haul

I know I got a bunch of sketchpads lying around, but its different when you have a sketch journal, that you take anywhere so you can sketch when a sudden inspiration comes. and since my old journal has been filled to the last page, I need to buy a new one.

Beauties and Benedicts (sorry for the reference, I've been absolutely smitten by this Sherlock actor) ---
I bought myself a sketchbook Moleskine!!!

I know, I know. Moleskine is such a luxury for a sketchbook, and I can hear some of you thinking "Yeesh, such lavish waste of money". Well, I'm sorry. But I done it! I bought one. No more turning back.

Anyway, before I tell you how the moleskine was, let me share to you one of my more humble acquired wares:

WILLINGHORSE BLANK JOURNALS (less than P100)

It's a small 3 part softbound blank journal. And I love these. I would love it more if I had a medium sized one. If only they had one, I might have foregone buying a moleskine and bought one medium sized of these instead. The paper is not as great as moleskine's has, but nevertheless, it's still velvety and it's very affordable.

SKETCHBOOK MOLESKINE (about P1200)

Here it is. It really takes a toll on your budget to buy one of these. I have bought good sketchpads that sells from P100 up to P400, and to be able to shell out more than P1000 ($30) for a medium sized sketchbook would be considered a luxury amongst middle income. And yet, even though I said before, I would have bought the other one if they had the right size stock, I would assure you, if I havent bought it now, I would still want to buy in the future --- I cannot not try it.

Here's what the inside looks like.

The texture of the sketchbook is comparable to its blank journal version, but only a bit coarser and thicker. Preference of papers always vary amongst artists. Some prefer the coarser ones, some prefer the smoother ones, and this has it in the middle. Its smooth enough that even if your pencil is blunt, it still glides most at the surface area, but coarse enough to give off a bit of texture.

I tried sketching on it, and I must say, I love the texture of this. Its really good for pencil sketches.

There. If you would ask me if I will purchase another Moleskine sketchbook again, I can't answer you. According to my experience, this will last me for more than a year, so I'd rather not think about it. If I probably have the money and the ability, I would. But who knows, if I can discover a much cheaper but equally good sketch journal out there.

Here's a recap of what I bought from the store today:

and let me bid goodbye to my old journal.

Goodbye dear friend. 

I shall visit you still from time to time,

since you hold a lot of my sketches and ideas,

my notes and some gathered knowledge,

but for now, go rest unto the shelves.

Take your joyous vacation, 

away from the barbaric walls of my bag.

See you again soon~♥

Apolaki at Mayari

Just wanted to share my work that got printed in the I.N.K corner~

Mom was mighty proud her daughter's name is in the newspaper, as if I won the Pulitzer award or something of sorts~ hahaha but ofcourse, this is a big privelege I got from I.N.K~ nothing of that sorts. *getting redundant in here, probably the meds talking strange*.

Anyway, I am happy nevertheless, because I got my work printed and be seen in circulation~

it's an experience ^^