I've started drawing again!

Most people even if we're not close would probably know me for my artworks. I started posting drawings on my Instagram account since 2013 and ever since, my Instagram 'fan base' grew. I constantly posted different things though, life, art, photography - my Instagram never had a set theme. I posted as I liked. But over time, I didn't draw as much, and so slowly the frequency of me posting artwork on Instagram became less and less. So naturally, my 'fan base' started to become stagnant. Don't get me wrong, I'm not all about likes or followers, but when I see that number diminishing, it indicates just how much I've been slacking.

I'm not happy with it either. How I've missed drawing. Even though I'm currently in a creative industry, not being able to express myself through my favourite ways made me feel upset. Especially with my semester struggles (read here), I never make time for it anymore because sometimes I get so darn tired at the end of each day. 

But the other day, after all my assignments were submitted, I just realized just how much I missed it. So, I decided to make myself brave and ask indirectly to my friends on Instagram " who wants their portrait drawn ?" And from there I got a few requests.

This time, because I was drawing people's portraits, I knew it had to look good because they are people I know. If the portrait looked nothing like them, then that'd just make me look bad. And so that's how my Friends Series started.

It was like a chain reaction. After drawing one person, a friend of that person wanted one too, and it just spread for a bit. To date, I've done 11 portraits in the past 5 days, and I still have some that I haven't started. They're pretty simple. Nothing like my graphite portraits I did years ago or even my watercolour postcards, but for now, this will do. This is sustainable for me, and it still keeps me happy. So for the next month that I'll be on holiday, I hope I can keep at it. 

Also, I've created a new account just for this purpose. Feel free to check it out! :)  

https://www.instagram.com/hellomiwaa/

Just Married ♥ and some things I wished I'd done

Yesterday was a nice cloudy day. Absolutely perfect for an outdoor photo shoot!

Yesterday was the first time I agreed to do a paid photo shoot, and the brief was post-wedding. Honestly when she sought me out for a photo shoot, I was super nervous. I'm used to helping people do photo shoots, but they were always free of charge, so obviously there was less pressure on what I had to deliver. With it being free and all, people can't demand as much.  

So yesterday was a turning point in my photography "career". After some confidence boosts from friends, I decided to just go for it. After all, someone has to be my first customer. 

And so yesterday happened. 

It was pretty interesting (and totally nerve wrecking!) to be photographing people who aren't from my circle of friends. Giving instructions on how to pose, proved to be more difficult when I'm not as comfortable with them. Especially since I'm quite a newbie, I don't think I have the right to boss them around ahahahhaha. But obviously I'd have to suck it up one day and have to be able to direct them because both the client and I want pretty photos.

A night before the shoot, I decided to do a bit of research on Pinterest on Couple Photography. I jotted down some ideas and was supposed to keep them handy during the shoot. With all the nerves, I actually forgot to bring the sketchbook so I only managed to do a few of them that I had at the top of my head.

Also wished that I took more candid photos. Specifically, more useable candid photos. If I'm photographing my friends, their candid photographs could be used for blackmail of some sort. I couldn't very well do that with my clients, can I?

Lastly, I wish I wasn't so hard on myself. I love photography, I love art and I love most things that I do. But I constantly seek people's validation which I wish isn't the case all the time. Sometimes even though I love my work and personally think it's good, I wished someone would validate it, which I think shouldn't be the case. We should always be confident in our work especially if we, ourselves love it and think it's good. 

Again, it's a journey for me and I aim to better myself in that aspect though it'll take a long time. Slowly, but surely.

All in all, it was a good experience and I love the results! 

And then there's me; 

   

For the first time

The other day, I was talking to a good friend about our short/long term goals. The conversation went something like this:

Friend: I want to open up my own business one day so that I become my own boss. 
             I think that way, I can spend more time with the people I love.

Me     : That's great! Me, I don't know, I might make some side income through my artwork.

             Maybe sell them if I think they're good enough. I've gotta get good first.

             I'm trying to save up and make a bit more money now so that I can buy a house later 

            in future.

_______________  and the conversation continues  _______________

The next day, it was just the same old same old.

Woke up at 7 am, made some coffee, and started on a new drawing while watching Suits (Click here to watch the incredibly cute bromance between Harvey Specter and Mike Ross). By the evening, I was done with the drawing and thought it looked good so I posted a photo of it on Instagram (I have tonnes of drawings which I scrap because I hate people judging my bad art work lol, yes, I'm sensitive, sue me). 

Same old same old ... up til the evening.

Suddenly a friend messaged me through Facebook, asking me if I'd like to help draw a portrait of her friend as a birthday gift.

"I'll pay for your help, of course"

At that point, I suddenly became nervous because this was the first time ever that anyone has ever commissioned me to do an artwork. What if it's not good enough? What if they don't like it? How much should I charge?

So many questions were running across my mind at the time. Then I remembered the conversation I had the night before, and before I could register anything in my mind, I've already accepted her offer.

I was so excited that I couldn't even brain it.

The minute she gave me a few photos as reference, I started the outlines and worked on it that night and the day after. 

And guess what? 

I received another order the day after from a another friend!

Now both drawings are done, one has been framed and delivered, the other one framed and waiting to be picked up. 

I'm truly grateful for both these opportunities. I may not be courageous enough to take orders officially but both these drawings are definitely a reminder to me that dreams can come true - we just have to be brave enough to take the opportunities even though it's outside our comfort zone. After all, what are dreams if we don't start somewhere, right?

Want in on my little secret ...

.. to drawing anything?

I'm not an expert on drawing. Trust me I feel shitty looking at other people's work all the time. Not even kidding.

But some people have asked me what my secret is to drawing, especially drawing portraits.

So here goes my little secret;

It's practice.

I cannot stress enough that practicing anything will do wonders for absolutely anything.

I only really started drawing portraits seriously a year ago and trust me I sucked big time (Click here to see one of my first few portraits, trust me you'll laugh really hard).

But trust me when I say everybody has to start from somewhere. Not everyone is a gifted De Caprio or Van Gogh. I truly truly truly believe that being able to draw is not just a gift we were born with, it's something that has to be discovered, developed, perfected over time.

The difference between mediocre artists and great artists are that great ones have passion, patience and willingness to keep on practicing.

Over time, we'll find our own style, favoured media, discover difference techniques and everything else that comes with practicing. As for me, I haven't discovered my style yet but I guess that's exactly what's keeping me going.

So there goes my little secret. Now, get on to it!

Happy practicing! 

Hello Loki!

The other day, I bought a ukulele on a whim. I missed my piano, and buying a decent second hand electric piano may cost me about $500 and I’m not ready to part with that much money.

So a ukulele it was! Of course I bought myself a budget uke. Spent $30 for a Green Mahalo U30 from ebay and decided to call it Loki (yes, I name my stuff - my phone’s name is Roger, my succulent’s name is Phillip and my laptop is Zo)

 Say hi to Loki!

My first thoughts when I got Loki was “Oh my God, you are so light!” then it was “You’re so cute!”

I was really happy with him,being a first timer and all. He makes a pretty decent sound too, so I'm good with that.

At first, I couldn’t get him to tune properly. I spent a whole evening trying to get the tune right and was finally successful by nightfall. After that I gave a try at a couple of chords and strumming patterns. Thankfully my piano lessons helped with my rhythm but! It definitely didn’t help me strumming itself. Up ‘til now, I still haven’t really gotten the hang of it. It’s either I strum too loud, or end up strumming too soft. It also doesn’t help that my fingers hurt from pressing the strings. People say it’s normal for beginners playing any stringed instrument so keep that in mind if you ever want to pick up a guitar or uke!

Today, I woke up early and thought I’d give Loki a treat by paying him some attention and I think he’s happy. I’ve been learning new chords, learning new songs. I still haven’t gotten the strumming perfected but I reckon it’ll get better with a lot of practice.

All in all, I’m glad that I bought Loki 

And I feel so blessed that He is giving me another day as an opportunity to explore more of what life has to offer.

Make most of your days! Try picking up something new and test it, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and just keep on practicing :)

Much needed escape

I'm finally over with my design critiques (last Thursday) and now I'm giving myself a much needed escape.

I started sketching random things again and boy does it feel good.

 This was supposed to be Miranda Kerr but I don't know, somehow she ended up looking a bit more like Natalie Portman. Oh well, close enough >.<

I've always loved the view outside my window and decided to give it a little sketch.

Do you see the funny looking paint brush and also the palette (top left of the first photo)?

I can tell you, these are my best buys yet. I've used them for so many projects and drawings now and for a beginner in water colour like me, it makes my work look pretty decent.

Paintbrush: Pentel Aquash, $7.65 (got it during a sale at $6)

Water colour: Koh-I-Noor, set of 24, $15

If i was back in Malaysia, I wouldn't even think twice about paying RM21 and RM45 for one paintbrush and one water colour set. I would have gone with the all time favourite Buncho which cost RM8 ($2.60) but well, they don't sell them here. Think of all the 7 Buncho's I can buy if I didn't buy one Koh-I-Noor! Aaah well, I don't regret it one bit. Now's the time to pamper myself with good art supplies without feeling that broke. Life's good.

Cute or creepy?

When I look at it, I don't know whether to say this looks cute or creepy? D:

A different type of frame

Ignore the picture. They are soooooooo going to kill me. Hahaha.

Conteng-conteng

The two colours that always manage to catch my eye are put together in the picture on the left. As for the picture on the right, well, I'm just into drawing maxi's right now. Hehe.

The Colour Queen ♥

Mira at work (: ngehee.

Creative juices

I'm itching to start drawing again. It has seriously been a long time since I'd spent a lot of my free time doodling and drawing things and I miss it. Even the piano hasn't been played for quite some time. I think I should give it all a go again.

This is a new year promise (: