happy new year

everytime of this year, its time to check how many goals had been met and what are the new resolutions.

Happy New Year.

Random walk to georgetown : 31 Dec,2010

Twas a good day walking to georgetown with chun keat. Strolling a town, looking at things at tourists perspective will help us discover things that we might overlook as locals. Love how locality shaped the town itself, making it different from other town. It is always blissful to be purely happy in the consumptions of food and sights. In my case, boundless of paper, pens and watercolour. Mistakes makes things beautiful, that is the drive that keep me sketching.

lonely christmas indulgence

To be honest, for 24 years so far. This is my first lonely christmas. My family has gone back to kuching and travelled all the way to sibu for a wedding reception after being in Penang for 1 week. Chun keat has gone back to Kangar for another wedding reception also. It was a happening weekend with church retreat and all the people i have met during december. December is definitely the best month of the year because i get to rest. I really meant rest this time, lots of sleep, spending quality time with family and being at home. This time round, i have not spend much time on friends in kuching because i am simply too tired to meet up and socialise after a tiresome semester of studio. Sorry about that. Plus, did i mention i torn my knee muscle?

After a compact period of december, when everyone goes back to their own home. I am here, home alone for christmas. It wasnt that bad, just a lil homesick and lazy. Spend time doing nothing, lying around and then in the afternoon, did something i consider luxurious to entertain myself-making Note Pocket. It can be carried along and used to make gift cards whenever i feel like giving thanks or even doodle some sketch at a non-specific location. Credits goes to the craft channel which i browse through youtube earlier.

To create a luxurious ambience, i even use my batik clothes as table clothes while working.

i dont know but sometimes narcissism is a need to make us feel good.

the close up. I name it because personally i like to

express through notes and cards.

There is a pocket for paper refill in case i run out of paper, there is an emergency

outlet ;o)

the inside of the Note Pocket. Have not made any mini cards yet.

Just inserted blank paper.

These are the things that made me happy (not studio).

Am looking forward to the ending and starting of another year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

bliss

To me, the most blissful thing is to finish all architecture studio work and have a good rest. In this case, thesis industrial viva. After it ended, Chunkeat and i treated ourselves with KFC voucher in one of the colonial style KFC, having a simple meal and do some people watching *hehehe*.

Felt so blissful when i get to escape like this. Not very blissful when i have to get back to reality with tonnes of work. Not blissful when deadline is catching up.

Sketched this after my meal. There is pretty plant outside the window. The outlet is clean and comfortable. i like kids shrieking and chatting. They make the place so much livelier and happier. They talked with a light mood, obviously very excited to have their kfc meal. I remember i was like that when i was young. Those good old days.

种子发芽了！

9月17日，非常纳闷，就随意种下了几颗种子：绿豆，红豆，木瓜中子。用了一个塑料罐子，放了几片facial棉花。每天都浇水，等待。有时，我好调皮，把喝不完的茶倒了进去。等了大约6天，种子慢慢发芽，到了第七天才生出第一双叶子。我好开心。原来这小小的成长也是个奇迹。而小小的奇迹是我每天的加油站。有了小小的奇迹，我会更加为生活加油。

种子的生命力很顽强。

我呢？是时候加油了！！！

Dentist

I never like to visit the dentist. I found that the sound that the machineries made drive me nuts and i would shrink my body upon hearing it. The dentista is a kind lady, has a short hair, but wear a smile all the time. According to her, i have some decay on my molar and she would put temporary medication for the time being. Would have to see her in 2 weeks time for permanent feeling. Despite disliking to go to visit the dentist, i still thank God for the existence of dentist that helps to ease my pain.

sketched this when i came back, not able to eat my breakfast. i find drawing things without scale is so fun and hilarious, lol.

proyecto pequenito 1 : wedding potrait painting (4 hours)

i did this for my church brother Peter and Sophia who is getting married this 25 september 2010. Came out with this idea to watercolor potrait. Was a little skeptical as i'm bad at drawing human. So, the materials needed : aquarelle water color paper, 8'X12' photoframe, pocket watercolor set, and the sample photo that i'm going to paint. Computer playing the singapore series " The Pupil" which helped me passed the time pretty fast :)

so step by step in painting this romantic drawing :

1. measure and sketch the figures on the watercolor paper.

2. apply colors, start from background, then human figure, then detail it up with more strokes and shadows.
3. Outlining with a sharper pencil. In this case, i felt pen artlining the figure could be a little to harsh, so i suggested pencil. Detail the drawing with strokes.
4. Frame the drawing and i'm done!

Time taken : 4 hours

Amelie's cafe

its sketching day for me and my 2 best friends in uni, Suping and Peihoong. We came out with and idea to sketch in this little charming cafe in armenian street, just beside Cheah Kongsi. in short, i just fell in love with the cafe. charming, homey and lovely. i wish i could have a similar concept of cafe too, but with vino and tapas, churros and chocolate.

sketch practice

i'm poor in drawing human figure. always resulted in bad proportion. but this is a good exercise to practice on different movements and angles. seriously need more practice on human figure before age is catching up.

went jogging yesterday. drew this on the spot. this is where i jog everyday. the weather was extremely pleasant. the alligators were there with me.

Suffolk house and Wesley Church

Went sketching with Chunkeat some time ago in Suffolk house and Wesley Church. It was an incredible day. We had tau sa pheah and sketch under good weather.

the suffolk house. Though it was nicely restored, but i wasnt very happy because they charge RM 10 for entrance (visit only). Its a bit too pricy. The guards was in front of the gate, not very friendly for visitors. Nevertheless, the building is beautiful.

Wesley Church. i always wanted to sketch this beautiful church and my dream came true.

Good old Salamanca

i shall never forget Salamanca. the good old place where i spent the best july ever.

now this is a sketch of Salamanca. 

 this sketch is about the famous bridge overlooking the beautiful skyline of Salamanca town.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower , La Tour Eiffel  is an 1889 iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris that has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tallest building in Paris, it is the most-visited paid monument in the world; millions of people ascend it every year. Named for its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, the tower was built as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair.

The tower stands 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building. It was the tallest man-made structure in the world from its completion until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930. Not including broadcast antennas, it is the second-tallest structure in France after the 2004 Millau Viaduct.

Amazed by the structure, i decided to have a sketch practice since it is uni mid-term break now. i did really enjoy the process. Sketching and painting is really a luxurious enjoyment especially in busy days.

step by step in painting this :

1. Sketch and paint the base

2. Start outlining the eiffel tower

3. Outlining the rest

4. Tada, its done and i'm in Paris now!

7 minute paint

Bro Joe came all the way from Whitestone Alaska to preach such an encourage words that empowered all of us. I made this card in 7 minutes after the saturday meeting. He loved the sweet note we wrote to him. i enjoy the weekend. 


Free hand drawing without thinking much, water color and then outline. all in 7 minute or so. 
have a good week ahead. 

i imagined i have my first debut

probably this is vain imaginations, but its pure fun. I like to do random drawings and then play with it as i liked. Tulips has been my all time favorite, the next flower that i like is the Madonna Lilies which  i grew to like it when i was working in AlvinLeong Photography back then. It has been quite sometime in the field of architecture and its a long field to rediscover many things and people, how things evolve and revolve, how i grew to love art, cultural, language and music. Its like vino and tapas, very closely related.


Por Mi Amor, is dedicated to my love, who has  been bringing joy in my life, and sharing sorrows with me all this while. If i would ever sing one day, this debut is for him.

sketchpad cover 2 - sarawak

Tonight i missed my home, so i sketched something and did some artwork on Borneo, Sarawak whilst Jerry Kamit's Sape Rainforest Music is playing. Everything seemed to be serene ( exclude all the workload to be done ). Life is good when we take things a little slower. I always like the way how people in my hometown live, a little laid back, but the quality of life and relationship is far better than any where else.

I'm always fascinated by native tribal arts and warriors, the history of the warriors and town and settlements in Sarawak and how Sarawak is painted by the westerners who colonised in the earlier days. it certainly is so different from today after changed by time and people.

Tonights exercise is luxurious. Sketch, watercolor painting on watercolor paper, hatching, and then compose in photoshop. i like the idea of sitting still doing some reading and drawing with the rainforest music on. Serene and tranquility are the words to describe the position i'm in now. Bliss.

the latest hobby of mine is to design some possible sketch covers according to the states of malaysia, maybe more places to come. i never know.
I call this the art corner of my room, displaying of past projects and also canvas painting i did last year. Clips with notes and random sketchings and also not forgetting the keychains from Bali and also Chunkeat's family. This is probably my favorite corner of the room.

Jerry Kamit's rainforest music. It feels good to listen to it.

sketchpad cover

its been a little boring in the night. so i sketched a bit, then played with photoshop and figured maybe i could make a little sketchpad like this for georgetown sketch. I dont know, perhaps i need motivation and a little money to do this small project which will satisfy myself. maybe sometime soon, once i get the drive to splurge a little on this. back in kuching, mum is my source of inspiration because she likes to watch me sketch!

apparently i'm back to penang already. Seen the old georgetown. The weather is still the same old hot and polluted. Very penang. Found some kakis (chunkeat,suping and peihoong) for sketchcrawl in penang. almost certain that it would be fun!

i think sketching has become my habit now. everything i see, i'm so tempted to sketch!! i figured, that is probably good because its not only capture by my own eyes and fingers, it add to personal touch.

Dibujo de los edificios en Kuching. Hacer calor hoy, pero disfruto mucho porque he hizo muchas cosas : andar en las calles, hacer fotografia, hacer las analisas de studio, y tambien comer kolo mee, mi comida favorita.

hacer calor hoy, pero tienen un poco lluvia mas tarde. Me gusta los arboles, las calles y tambien los arte y cultural local.

y para ti? eres muy bien?

Drawing the buildings around Kuching today. It is very hot, but i enjoy it because I did many things: walking in the streets, taking pictures, doing studio analysis technique, and also eat kolo mee, my favorite food.

Its really sunny, but it rained later. I like the trees, streets and also the arts and local culture.

How bout you? everything is fine?

dibujo en mi ciudad

me gusta dibujar. Los semanas pasada, yo dibujo que mi ciudad en Kuching con mi jefe y los amigos de UPM. Los museos en mi ciudad son muy bonitas porque los son edificios muy antiguo. me gusta los details en dibujos.

Ha ido muy bueno y me gusta encuentro amiga nuevo de Limkokwing, Azie. Creo que ella es muy talente y simpatica. Ha fue un buen dia.

I like to draw. The last weeks, I draw my city in Kuching with my boss and friends of UPM. The museums in my city is very beautiful because they are very old buildings. I like the details in drawings.

It has been very good and I like meeting new friends Limkokwing, AZIEA. I think she's very talented and friendly. It was a good day.

patio de mi casa

me gusta el patio de mi casa porque tiene muchas plantas y siempre verde todos los días. A veces, me gusta sentar delante de mi patio. Mis perros les gustas también. Mi papa le gusta mucho plantar. Cuando me visto a la pintura, extraño a mi casa.

i love the patio of my house because there are many plants (potted plants) and it is always green all day long. Most of the time, i like to sit in front of the patio. My dogs love it too. My father, who have green fingers, loves gardening. Whenever i see this painting, i miss my home. It is drawn during the chinese new year, yet i only get to paint it today with photoshop. few more days, i will be back home after a tiring and torturing semester.

sabah sunday market

sabah sunday market - a space where most chinese congregates on a sunday morning.
just got back from sabah which was a refreshing trip for me. One of the days in Sabah, chunkeat and i dropped by at a shaded cafe which faces a very interesting corner of the market. love how the vegetation crawled around the trusses of the shadings, the trees in between the buildings, the seatings, the potted plants as well as the red umbrellas.

didnt get to finish my sketch because was called into the bus.

table top

one thing that fascinates me always is how messy-ness could actually turn into art. Messy-ness vs tidy-ness. Messy is a better word to describe me. Messy is carefree. As for architecture , i believe tidyness would be a better word for us to practice with. Tidy plans are way better than messy plans. Tidy sketches vs messy sketches, i'm a bit of this and that.

sketched this way back in beijing where my table top is stuffed with many things : books, guide books, toilet rolls, vitamines, hair conditioner, bags, food and boxes.

beijing-winter visit

temple of heaven is one of my favorite building in beijing, as it looks as if it is in the heaven with it dominating the skyline without any landscapes or other building around it. I described this to one of my sister in church but she didnt quite get it, probably this could only best explained by visiting it yourself!
i visited the birdnest. Though this iconic building has been both praised and criticised by many, i cant deny that it does fascinates me at some point, although sometimes i wonder why they need foreign architects to design instead of the local architects!
the forbidden city is really huge and magnificent. I am truly awed by it and vowed to study more about chinese architecture and how it developed. The building itself is a great history and i was very impressed how the architects as well as the government gone so far to restore and conserved the building. There are 2 schools of thoughts : to spent money on new architecture or to spent money on conserving old architecture. There are great debates on this. For one, cultural and heritage architects strongly feels that heritage architecture should be well preserved for younger generation and are of great value. UNESCO, for instance has spent great sum of money to preserve historical buildings as well as site.

On the other hand, there are also some young and new architects that feel that old buildings should give way to odd and modern architecture which explore more on form rather than the site context itself. This is, however, covered by their explanation on how the building could sustain itself. There are different ways of tackling this issue, depending on how we think. Birdnest may be very a little contradicting to the land of China which is previously well symbolised by its regional architecture, Nowadays, China is represented by the Birdnest. Many years later, people might go as far as they could to preserve the birdnest.

School of thoughts change as time changed. History continues to develope. What happens today becomes a history in the future. So does the trend of architecture, that's why there are many periods of architecture. The timeline continues, so does the style of architecture continues to develope. We need to move forward gracefully, in terms of transforming the style gracefully in regards of context and environment, not just of pride and vain. In my point of view, practical can be humble and lovely. Comfortable and clean design is favoured. Overdesign is pride and self-centred.

beijing-winter

i enjoy sightseeing in the bus in beijing, although most of the time i see withered trees. It is a poetic sight indeed especially during late afternoons, the withered trees are kissed by the gentle ray of sunlight.
the sight outside the bus window pane inspired me to sketch to record it. Sketched using charcoal pencil.
somesights i saw in beijing are just amazing, which i greatly missed. The hutongs, the people, the food, the coldest winter, the language and the culture. To date, it might be the best place i have visited so far.

日本の子供

i'm always fascinated by humans. every gesture seems to be interesting. while cameras could very well capture moments, i think that sketching brings more personal feeling to the picture itself.

Sketch this when i was waiting my flight to Beijing, China last year, November at the LCCT, Kuala Lumpur. The japanese father has 6 kids who looks identical by their mushroom hairstyle. They are very playful and cute.

my first attempt of life sketching after so many years of hiatus after leaving limkokwing university.