Mobile Speed Paint

Recently, I downloaded the free version of Sketchbook for my android phone.  I've played around with it a few times just to test out the tools and features. I found it to be rather fun and convenient for those days I forget to bring my sketchbook.

So a few nights ago, I was hanging out at my gf's place after we had dinner. That's when I decided to actually try the app, and put it to use. I found it to be a bit difficult to use only because I'm still getting familiar with all the features. Also due to the fact that I'm not used to painting with just my index finger, on such a small scale. I find it hard enough just trying to text without any typos, or weird auto-corrects. But I managed to get something decent out of it. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. I'm definitely looking forward to doing more!

My apologies for the head-tilting orientation.

Completely Ran-dumb!

About a week ago, I had a somewhat strange encounter that I thought was slightly awkward.  When I arrived to work, I was greeted by a man in the parking lot.  As we were walking in the opposite directions, I initially thought his acknowledgement was just a friendly gesture.  He even complimented the necklace I had on, and asked if he could take a picture of it.  As he was talking about how the necklace was, somewhere along the lines of, "cool and artsy," he suddenly sees my sketchbook and asks if he could "check it out."

the 'artsy' necklace I was wearing at the time

Just as I hand him my sketchbook, he all-of-a-sudden has to leave because the people he was with (family perhaps?) were waiting for him.  As he is anxious to get on his way, he asked, "Do you trust me?!"   He then asked where I was going, as his implication was to take MY sketchbook along with him, then eventually meet with me later to return it.  He noticed my hesitation and later identifies himself as a military sergeant and flashes his driver's license and military ID.  Then as a trade-off, he hands me his digital camera for security purposes.  Basically, since he had my sketchbook, he gave me his camera as sort-of a collateral for when he eventually returns........weird.  Fast forward to later.....

The guy eventually shows up at my work, with my sketchbook.  I saw him from afar and came over to greet him.  As I extend my hand, expecting to shake his, he ends up simply slapping the book into my hand and says, "What did you expect?!"  Then just walks off.  Wtf?!  On top of that, I also notice something added to my sketchbook. Not only on the inside, but also on both the front and back covers!

The cover of my sketchbook is covered with stickers/decals that I've collected and attached myself.  One of which, is a mustache sticker on the front cover.  So when the book was returned to me, I noticed that there was a face drawn on the cover, as part of the mustache!!  Then, I found out that there's also a drawing on the back cover as well.  Later, I discover a page that has been completely covered in.....nonsense/chicken scratch/creative expression/I don't even know what.

Front cover: my mustache sticker with his added face

"Bye-Bye," on the back cover

The hard-to-read page in the middle of my new sketchbook

At this point, I'm totally confused.  Who does something like that?!  I was a little taken back by the whole thing.  I wasn't sure how I should be feeling.  Part of me was thankful for his "artistic" contribution, but another part of me was a bit upset at the disrespect for another person's personal belongings.  It's one thing to borrow a sketchbook just to look at, or gain some insight, or get inspiration...but I felt that it kinda crossed the line when I didn't get it back in its original condition, only to be surprised at what was found.

Before, I was debating whether or not I should remove the page from my sketchbook.  Had I known he would be adding a page to my sketchbook, I would have added more photos to his digital camera.  But  now, although I'm not really fond of looking at it, it merely serves as an interesting conversation starter.

Random Spark of Inspiration....

While taking a break from working on a side project, I was just thinking of doing a speed painting for practice, and suddenly I was struck with inspiration..

I went straight to the sketchbook (a brand new one), but what started out as a sketch, ended up turning into more of a full-on illustration.

Personally, I felt that this piece was appropriate for the month of February.  Earlier this month (Feb 6) was the birthday of Bob Marley.  His music created a legacy that preaches fatih, devotion, and revolution.  So, with Valentine's Day in February, I felt that this fit into the theme of "love."  February also happens to be Black History Month.  As a singer-songwriter, and musician, Marley introduced the world to reggae music and became the first Jamaican artist to reach international success.  He remains as one the most beloved artists to this day.  So here's to Bob Marley and reggae music; here's to the month of February!  One love.

Robert Nesta Marley
Feb. 6, 1945 - May 11, 1981

"Whatchu talkin bout Willis?!"

An illustration inspired by this year's Super Bowl contenders...particularly Ray Lewis, of the Baltimore Ravens, and Patrick Willis, of the San Francisco 49ers.  During the playoffs, before the Ravens even made it into the Super Bowl, I was seeing/hearing a lot about Ray Lewis on the news, sports channels, and even YouTube.  Not only is he an outstanding player, he's even more outstanding as a leader, inspirational speaker and role model.

BUT....as a bay area resident, I grew up watching the Niners.  So with the Super Bowl approaching this weekend, it's SF mania!  Sports fans are already excited with the SF Giants World Series win in 2012.  So with the Niners in the Super Bowl, hopefully, it'll be another Bay Area championship team.  This weekend's game should be very interesting.  GO NINERS!!

Some of the process, starting from the initial concept sketch

Tis the season...for pumpkins!!

Recently, my siblings and I have made it somewhat of a tradition to do pumpkin carvings for Halloween.  Over the years, the level of detail and success has definitely progressed.  The ideas behind our designs are usually related, or fit some type of theme.  For instance in 2008, in honor of the election, we decided to do each of the presidential candidates.  Check it out, here.  Then in 2010, my brother did Manny Pacquiao, and I carved Floyd Mayweather, Jr.  Lately, however, our designs have been somewhat random.  Although, I think it's kinda cool that some people in my neighborhood actually make it a point to come to my house, just to check out our pumpkin carvings!  (it warms my heart, hahaha).  These are our pumpkins from last year.

from left to right:
Brian Wilson of the SF Giants (me)
the former Apple CEO, the late Steve Jobs (sister)
Linda Blair from The Exorcist (brother)

With this year's Halloween now over, I just thought I'd post the recent pics of the pumpkins that my siblings and I carved.

Mine was inspired by a recent Google banner commemorating the 70th birthday of Bob Ross.

Happy little pumpkin!

My sister actually had the time to carve 2 pumpkins....

And finally, my brother did Al Pacino as Scarface.

 Definitely had fun with this.  I'm already gathering ideas and looking forward to next year!!
**side note**   The presidential election is tomorrow....go out and VOTE!!

"I am Gotham's Reckoning."

So this halloween I decided to do something a bit different and actually try to make my costume.  It seemed a bit ambitious, but I decided to be Bane from The Dark Knight Rises. Although I didn't get to take as many pictures as I would have liked, I managed to get a few pictures of my process.

Initially, I had some help getting the right size to fit my head.  So my girlfriend actually helped by taking measurements and eventually created a template out of some spare cloth.

The cloth was then used to trace the pattern onto a soft foam fabric.  And with some good photo references, I was able to capture and incorporate some of the details.  The "coils" are made from plastic wire covers, that I got from an automotive store, which were cut in half length-wise.  For the details, I didn't want to make it too elaborate.  Instead, I just wanted to get the "likeness," so I focused more on just the general shapes, and correct placement.

The mouthpiece was created from a dust mask.  I cut a square-shaped hole in the middle of the dust mask and patched the hole with a thin foam sheet.  This was just so it didn't protude so much, and it also provided a flatter surface to glue the tubes onto.  Later, I drilled in some tiny air holes. As for the tubes on the mouth......I had several ideas for the material.  I eventually decided to use a combination of rolled foam sheets, tapioca/milk tea straws, and a few bendy straws from the dollar store.  Based on the photo references, the tubes have various textures, and there are actually supposed to be two more tubes on the bottom half that extend below the chin/jaw-line, but I chose to leave those off for functional purposes.  Again, I was just focusing on capturing the likeness and not getting too caught up in the details.

Then it was a matter of attaching the two together.  I made it so that it basically wraps over/around my head, and attaches/detaches with velcro glued to the sides of the mask, and along the inside of the mouthpiece.  I later found out that the velcro wasn't really necessary, as the foam fabric was able to stretch a bit, making it easy to slide on/off my head.

Finally, it was time to paint.  Basically, I just spray painted the mouthpiece black.  Then, with some acrylic, I dry-brushed the tubes, along with the details on the sides/back.

The vest was created using a regular t-shirt.  I cut off the sleeves and the collar in the shape of a vest.  From there I used a synthetic "leather" material for the armor.  The straps are made from strips of fabric and some cheap belts.

Final Bane costume

And now...."you have my permission to die."  Happy Halloween!

YOU ESS AYE!!

 Something from my sketchbook.  With the Olympics over, I just thought I'd share.

The most decorated Olympic Athlete, with 22 medals total, including 18 gold.

"MP"