15 mins sketch of Picasso

This is a very quick sketch. It took me no more than 15 mins.

I drew Picasso on a black piece of paper using a white pencil. Very rough. Very brief. Very messy. But at the same time very interesting. 

I really love the texture of the pencil I was using. It was very soft and dry. It felt like using white chalk on a blackboard. The white was very intense. The problem was I couldn't sharpen it too much and the white powder was all over the place. The process however, was really enjoyable. I really love this speedy sketch. 

LOVE IT! <3

Hope I'd gain better control of the pencil as I progress ;-)

First sketch in 2015!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Here is my first sketch in 2015. Started yesterday and completed just now. Another one of the Irving Penn series. :-)

I found my favourite photographer in the universe - Irving Penn

*In case the way I put it might be slightly confusing: No this is not Irving Penn lol*

I have a habit of googling images whenever I have time. I love drawing portraits of interesting people, but great pictures are really difficult to find. 

As someone who has been drawing (for 3 months ..lol), I can tell you no photograph beats the real thing. Be it still life or portraits, drawing at the actual environment with a natural light source allows the artists to make their own interpretation of the reality. You may hear people saying portraits are artistic representations of the painter, not the sitter. This is very true. The same object painted by 2 different painters must be different. 

Therefore, if someone draws photographs of people taken by someone else, you are actually reproducing the photographer's perspective, instead of creating your own.

This is exactly why art teacher hates his students drawing photographs. (despite I secretly make 2 sketches from photographs per week....lol )

I am very much aware of the shortcomings of drawing photographs, still I think it's a great way to train my skills especially when I have limited resources. But if you have to borrow someone's artistic eyes, make sure you borrow from someone great.

And I am glad I have finally found him.

Irving Penn

If you google Irving Penn what you can find out about him is extremely limited [ Ask Wiki =) ]. I have come across the name when I was looking for pictures of Yves Saint Laurent. And I was completely blown away. His photos were elegant, classic, extraordinary, lively, full of personality, with beautiful light against very simple background. They have everything I love, and everything that I am looking for. It's very difficult to explain why I love them sooooo so so so much. But I find all of his works are extremely captivating. 

As I glanced through his portfolio there were already quite a few photos that I can't wait to draw. And they will be coming really soon :)

Just don't tell my teacher

Duchess of Windsor by Irving Penn

What have I been drawing during Christmas

This is my latest Dali. Might look a little scary but this is exactly how I like it :-P

eyes, eyes, HUGE EYES...

I drew a few of my friends too :)

Dear Mr. Robin Williams

Watched "A night in the museum" on Christmas Eve and couldn't take my eyes off Robin Williams. He had the most beautiful blue eyes and the most amazing smile. 

There is no reason not to capture him in my sketchbook, now full of interesting people :)

Thank you so much for the great movies, dear Mr. Robin Williams

How do I understand art

Art is all about experiments and adventures, no rules, no guidelines. 

Art creates illusion that looks real, or reality that looks surreal.

The best art is always beautiful and ridiculous.  :)

And more Yves Saint Laurent :-P

Good news! Finally found time to draw in my busy December. I have been travelling, studying, reading, exercising...

Bad news, it's yet another Yves Saint Laurent.

I promised myself to move on to draw someone else. There are still a lot of interesting people around but apparently I can't take my eyes off YSL.

It looks like I am hopelessly in love with someone who's dead, and hopelessly gay. He was Prince Charming by definition.

Now read this paragraph from a book that I am reading:

From: The Beautiful Fall: Fashion, Genius, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris

....And yes, Yves was famous for his beautiful, elegant, long and slender fingers.