The revival of the old piece

One of the pieces that are in the Art in the Library show right now is this very old drawing. It was drawn for a children's book illustration contest in Japan, and also ended up in another show (one of the family shows we have done in Tokyo).

This picture is different from the newer pieces I've been drawing. Since I got the Wacom tablet, I draw and color digitally. I drew this picture using four pieces of paper and a pencil instead. It was colored using Photoshop after I scanned the line drawings.

The digital file of this picture has been corrupted :( But since I've been receiving a lot of compliments and good reaction from many people, I plan to get a quality scan of the drawing and create a poster of it.

There is a stray sock in the picture by the way. I wanted to create a fun picture, kind of like Where's Waldo? By hiding something in an illustration like this can make it more interactive. I like the idea of pictures being more than just pictures.

Sketch-o-daily Tuesday November 23rd

Participated in Sketch-o-daily sketch contest by Bobby Chiu.
http://www.sketchoholic.com/Talent/member/my_contest_items.php?ContestID=943
The theme was "Inbred Unicorn".

I began sketching at work, and finished it at home.I kind of wished I drew in on the Wacom from the beginning. Enjoyed the process of designing the character, but I give the finished piece
65%.
I plan to participate in this daily sketch contests more often, like as much as possible. I like that it forces me to draw more and gives me opportunities to learn at daily basis.

Entered in a competition

Created a drawing to enter in an illustration competition.

It was a lot of work, but had much fun drawing the details.

The jpeg sample that was uploaded at the end was so small, I'm afraid no one could see anything... Oh well.

Hope to do more drawings like this one in the future.

Scott Wade - Dirty Car Art

Found out about this artist who paints pictures on dirty (dusty) cars.
Scott Wade is the name of the artist.

Kind of like scratch boards (whick I liked when I tried them out). I've always enjoyed the technique of "taking away" rather than "adding" myself. I've used this technique even in Photoshop and Painter. I'd use the eraser to paint (wow, that sounds weird...).

Actually, now thinking back, I had first learned the technique when I was like 15 or something. I was taking drawing classes on Sundays and during the summer breaks.
Using charcoal and bread (as the eraser) was the standard technique they taught. It was all about light and shadow, and volume without drawing any outlines.
I'd establish the measurement, then put down the light and shadow, and slowly forming the volume of the shapes by putting down and taking away the charcoal powder on the paper.

For a while, after moving to the States, I purposely tried to shed the habits I'd picked up in those classes. Back then, I felt that the habits (techniques) I knew were holding me back from creating art freely and being creative. I made myself use more prominent outlines and bold shapes. But I guess somewhere in my art side of the brain still exists the Japanese drawing techniques, that I now feel can do good for my art sometimes.