sketchbook 31/10/09

I didn't have the energy to wander further a field so I returned to Dufferin Mall to sketch people in the food court. What I noticed right away was the large congregation of older european men talking to each other in smaller clusters. I also noticed that most of these gentlemen had really unique shaped ears and noses. Something to sketch, you say?! Absolutely!

sketchbook 30/10/09

I house sat for sister again. She works in a vet's office and is a softie when it comes to animals. So since the last time I was there, she added to her menagerie a hamster named, Peaches.

To house this small fur ball she and her husband bought a state of the art cage called the habitat ovo, a modular system that allows a person to add on more space to the main unit. Very colourful and fun to watch as Peaches ran a circuit while Charles, the cat, eyed her like a walking snack. Very fun, indeed.

The Varsity

Well a few days ago I accepted a request to illustrate an article from the Varsity, The University of Toronto's student newspaper. The article was about the differences in male/female brains and the nature vs. nurture issue.

Here are the roughs from thumbnail right up to inking and the finished piece… and I'm going to bed now.

sketchbook 28/10/09

After completing the previous two spreads by fill hem entirely, this spread really feels unfinished and naked.

sketchbook 27/10/09

Pre and post client meeting. Thanks to all my unwitting subjects for being such good models. Mwah ha hah ha.

sketchbook 26/10/09

Two things I realized while drawing this spread. I might have A.D.D., which would account for the numerous vignettes on the spread and I like my papermate pen. I was trying a new pen for the middle portion of the page, but it didn't have the right resistance on the page that the papermate ink has. I'll give the new pen another try since it was my first attempt at it (however, I'm forced into using it because I bought an entire box of the new ones and my frugal nature will not allow me to buy some more PM until i use up these ones… boy oh boy)

The Varsity trials

Last month , the University of Toronto's student newspaper, The Varsity contacted me about becoming one of their illustrators. I guess it's flattering that someone would seek me out and invite me to illustrate for them, however, it'd be a bigger honour if they paid me for my drawings! However, I do understand that it's a student run paper and funds are limited. It'll also give me a chance to work with a real brief and timelines. Good practice for the real world, I guess.

The concept for the original request was to illustrate a student juggling too many things, such as school/deadlines, work, family, OSAP. I didn't have the time to submit anything for it, however, it gave me a chance to work on two new approaches to illustrating an image. Neither image really speaks to me, but I thought I'd throw it out there to see what you all thought.

sketchbook 23/10/09

Oh it felt so good to get back to my sketchbook. Went to the ROM to get the most of my membership..it's coming to an end and I need to pack in as many days there as I can.

It was serendipity once again, because there were some sketchers there who I got on paper. Actually it was a mini field trip for two people who appeared to be taking a drawing class with the woman who I got down on paper (lower right side).

sketchbook 16/10/09

First chance I got to sketch in a few days. I felt like a born again sketcher.
The lady in the image got a bit nervous I think towards the end of my drawing her. I guess i would too if I had a semi bald asian man openly looking at me in spurts!

But it was nice to get this in before more reality comes barging in and takes me away from my sketchbook.

sketchbook 10/10/09

Now that I think about it, there were quite a few older folk around me having coffee.

sketchbook 09/10/09

Went to the Dufferin/Gladstone library today. This definitely will be one of the locations I come to during the winter to sketch. Location 2. Check!

I drew this with a mechanical pencil and I didn't realize how unresponsive a MP can be. However, I got looser towards the end and that's when I started drawing the pople at the bottom. The Dufferin/Gladstone Library's s story foyer are is great for sketching pople from above. I'd like to call it the poor man's gesture drawing class.

sketchbook 08/10/09

Scouting for indoor sketching locations for the inevitable winter ahead. I found myself returning to the Harbourfront Centre and drawing Aaron and Bejamin, two glass blowers I've sketched before right here.

It also gave me the opportunity to practice drawing faces. Benjamin's pretty close, but Aaron's a ways off. I'm sure you'll be seeing more drawings from the Harbourfront Centre once the snow starts to fly.

Sketchbook 07/10/09

Trying something new. Moving away from creating a black outlined drawing and using pencil to capture the scene, following by watercolours. Verdict is still out but I will continue on with this process for now.

sketchbook 06/10/09

Today I went to the Ontario Science Centre. I think The last time I went there was about 25 years ago (I kid you not).

So many things have changed in terms of new exhibition wings and the introduction of an IMAX theatre. However, like a salmon returning to spawn, I returned to the things I knew as a kid. That meant the large electric ball, for lack of a better term. Essentially a participant places their hand on the ball and shakes their head up and down until their hair stands on end.

I sat in on the first show and Doris was our host who enlightened me and 5 students who came on a field trip. She did a great job since it was a really tough crowd and by the end of it, she really got the kids going with her show and passed on a bit of knowledge about electricity.


Another point of interest was the Amateur Radio "shack" located on one of the stair landings. It was manned by two volunteers, Bill Thomson (depicted in the drawing) and Peter Dederer. The "shack" that they manned looked like a modified orange trailer with a window cut out from its side. This I thought was a perfect frame for my drawing.

A little about Amateur radio. Each Amateur Radio operator has a call sign and the Ontario Science Centre's sign is VE30SC. Radio frequencies are allotted world-wide by international agreement and several bands of frequency are designated for amateur use. Speaking to Peter, one of his joys of being a ham radio operator is connecting up with people from all over the world from different avenues of life. Image talking to a Prince in the United Emirate or a truck driver in Spokane (I guess the former would be unlikely, but I could definitely image talking to a truck driver in Spokane). So who needs facebook! just pick up a ham radio set and you're all set!

In addition, Peter gave me a go at tapping out a bit of Morse Code. Tapped out my name but I held the first letter a bit too long and Peter thought my name was "Til". Gotta work on my Morse Code.

sketchbook 05/10/09

I forgot how enjoyable drawing with pencil can be. I think I'll stick with it for a bit.

Shameless plug for family and a new friend…

My cousin Anna Quon, had her first novel published and she was in town to promote and do a book reading from it. It was only a matter of time before this would happen. She's a super talented writer and even better person. Way to go Anna!
You could purchase her book at the Women's Book Store here in Toronto or through Invisible Publishing, Anna's Haligonian publisher.


Attending Anna'a book launch was, Mike Holmes (NOT the TV home renovation celebrity). He also has a graphic novel out and was in Toronto to promote it at his own book launch/reading yesterday night. His book is called, "This American Drive". It's a book about his American road trip with his Texan girl friend, and the experiences they encountered, the food they ate, places they saw, and did I mention the foods they ate? (You really can't go wrong when a book includes, food, travel, and illustrations that depict the trip)

sketchbook 02/10/09

While waiting to attend my cousin's book launch/reading I grabbed a cup of coffee and did what I usually do in this situation.

Joy Eliuk--Potter/Ceramic artist

I had the opportunity today to sketch Joy Eliuk, a really talented potter/ceramic artist. I went to visit her in her home studio and wedged myself into a corner while she cleaned up a few cups. Not only was she a great model, but we had a really good time talking. I found out that before she decided to take her pottery on as a full time career she was an interior designer. Her design sensibility certainly comes through her work. She also was really generous with her time and knowledge about pottery, but most of it escapes me now. (Sorry Joy.)

As a side note, drawing Joy today made me confront two of my weakest areas as a drafts person. The first being facial resemblance. This image of her does not resemble her at all, and I promised her that I would set the matter straight and tell the blogasphere that her nose is not that big! (It's a really nice nose in reality). Second, I hate drawing circles in perspective. I get uptight about it and that screws it up even more.

But here it is, and I'd like to thank Joy once again for letting me in her studio and being so generous with her time and knowledge.

So if you're interested at all in throwing clay and will be in Toronto, she holds classes and you should contact her through the above link.

sketchbook 01/10/09

I thought i'd sketch behind the counter of a Starbucks since I've spent so much time sketching things in front if it.