Vin & Shine

Okay, it's time to share my story with all of you about my new commissioned painting for my clients / couple Vin & Shine. In 2009 year, Vin discovered my art on Philmug forum & contacted me for adding him in my commission list. I felt quite pleased that Vin waited for me patiently. In June 2010, I have finished other artworks, I finally contacted him. Vin and Shine were overly excited that I was ready to do a commission for them.

We discussed about the concept, theme, colors, elements... He requested me: Hong Kong place, Tagaytay, beach, garden, Thailand dishes, traveling, his favorite stuff onitsuka sneakers, DSLR camera, his zodiac sign "dragon"... for Shine's skirt, iPod, flipflops, her zodiac sign "horse", etc. I said to him, "Hmmm! Your explanation reminds me of my past project Live your Dreams, right?" He said excitedly "yeah! Sorry if it could be complicated." Then Vin showed me his photos... Awww, they are happy adorable travelers!

So I referenced & observed those pics & made two rough sketches. They chose the first one.

Before I started painting, I finally bought my new acrylic paints. I think I love Golden more than Liquitex & Rembrandt / Talens. Because Golden acrylic paints are more vibrant, brighter thicker & softer! I have no idea that Golden is quite expensive. But still, I love my few special Liquitex & Rembrandt vibrant colors so I keep using them. I should buy more Golden materials when I'll visit Manila again.

My art progress pics.

Whew, it's done. Vin & Shine already love it! The size / medium is 10" x 17" mixed media on canvas. Many crazy elements & colors made my eyes tired, haha! Congratulations on your new wedding, Vin & Shine! May God fill you both with pure happiness, love, strength & more blessings!

Coming up. I'm still working on it. Ciao!

My sculpting skills are back again

Hooray, my sculpting skills are back again.

I really miss doing my sculpture stuff. I love sculpting more than painting & drawing.

My custom Yoka toy is not a bear, but Panda. :)

Goodnight.

Rainy Day

I made a new graphite drawing. I'm going to donate this piece for the charity in States. I'll post the whole image in October. I'll give you the detailed information about bidding next time.

Yesterday, I brought my GF1 camera & Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens and took bw pic in my garden during rainy day. I felt greatly sad & speechless about the Manila hostage and HK victims, it was quite heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to them. Rest in Peace.

The Fox and The Cat

Finally, I am posting my works on "The Fox and The Cat" for the comic book Silverbook / Image Comics' "Fractured Fables". I'd love to share my story with you guys. In 2009, I received an interesting email from my friend Gerry Alanguilan's pal Whilce Portacio (Image Comics co-creator) for participating the contribution comic book. I was super thrilled & happy that Image Comics co-creators Jim Valentino and Kristen Koerner Simon liked my art. So they asked me if I'm interested.. Yes, I said "Heck yessss!" Please read the full article about Fractured Fables on Newsarama.

In the beginning, I chose the story "The Fox and The Cat" from Aesop's Fables. Because they are my favorite animals, hehe. Then, I was worried about the writer. I must admit that I'm not excellent at writing skills. So I got idea to contact my friend Nikki Dy-Liacco, who wrote her winning story "Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots" (that's my first winning children's book). So Nikki was super thrilled to participate the comic book and create a revised story about the Fox and the Cat.

Nikki was so busy when I waited for her story longer, I was worried about the deadline. Then I got a story from her and I made rough sketches quickly. I submitted my sketches to Jim & Kristen before they gave me critiques. Indeed, my first rough comic panel sketches / texts were so confusedly crowded and they had lack of extra spaces. I know I'm not a good comic artist because I rarely do comics.

Then I asked my friend Jordan Santos (who is a comic geek & Adarna House product development officer) to check Nikki's prose story & my sketches. He said "Wow, it's a prose story & no page or panel instructions!" He said I should do a comic script, just like a movie script & add more panels. So I got it. I made my panel instruction and revised sketches.

Jim & Kristen finally approved my sketches, I was hurried to prepare my traditional stuff in November 2009.

Then Nikki asked me if she could add more stories. I said I wished but I can't. I didn't start painting my final comic panels before the 14-days deadline (hahaha, stress stress)! So I thought of myself "Mall! do one comic panel per day without doing errands! Go go go!" So I created 8 comic panels for 8 days and sometimes I missed my food schedules. Then the next day, I scanned them and added them with Photoshop traditional textures (I didn't have time to add textures with my small paintbrush!) Then next day, I sent my high-res images to Image Comics before the deadline! WHEEEWWWW! After that, I was totally dizzy and pale. Mhmm, I didnt eat well so my super hungry belly got mad at me. I know, I was super stressed.

After 7 months, Image Comics have launched copies at the Comic Con, hoooray! Sadly, I wish I could attend Comic Con in States... Anyway, I grabbed images from Image Comics site.

I finally received my copies past few days ago. The book looks friggin' awesome, I really love it! I must admit... When I looked at my illustrations, they made me wanted to revise them hahaha! But it's okay. I really enjoyed doing my challenge and learned from it when I was crazily frustrated and stressed. :) Please click to view the large image.

More amazing artists Camilla d' Errico, Paul Fricke, Doug TenNapel...

You can see more preview images of many talented artists on Shadowline Comics page. Thank you very much for everything, Image Comics, Nikki & Jordan! If you're interested in buying copies, please order it on Amazon. In time, I really hope I'll be good at doing comics. This week, I have finished my commissioned mixed media painting for my client Vin & Shine. I'll post the whole image in September.

And I'll be ready to paint my Yoka custom toy soon for my client Brenda.

My Late Drawings

Hello guys! How are you all doing? I'm writing this blog entry when I'm sick... cough! cough! AaahhhhAAACCHOOO! Yeah yeah, I got painful sore throat and colds so I don't work on my artworks for 3 days. It's so good to write here again.

Before I did my Alice artworks for Gallery Nucleus, I created & submitted my four graphite drawings to Outerspace Gallery, Manila in February 2010. I know, I didn't post my drawings on my blog for 5 months because they always postponed the gallery show. Finally, I have pulled them out. I figured it out that they have problems about their gallery so I understood them. Anyway, I'd love to share my drawings with all of you. I must admit that I love my Innocent drawings more than these late pieces, hehe.

"Untitled"

Graphite on Paper

I can't remember the exact measure, maybe 15" x 20"

I was greatly inspired by one of my favorite low-brow artists, Audrey Kawasaki. Nope, it's not for sale. This drawing belongs to my friend / famous Filipino low-brow artist, Luis Lorenzana. He wanted to trade artworks with me).

"Untitled"

Graphite on Paper

estimated 15" x 20"

Sorry, it's not for sale again. I gave my big drawing to my dad. He wanted to show my drawing off to his doctors, friends and patients in his clinic, awww. (Eeee, did you see my new sexy black sandals? I love them!)

My two framed small drawings.

"Whatever"

Graphite on Paper

8" x 10"

10" x 12" framed

"Swing"

Graphite on Paper

8" x 10"

10" x 12" framed

I made a small drawing for my sister Erica. She was upset because I was forgetful to buy a gift for her birthday. So I did my drawing for her and she was super happy. I told her "Promise me, silly Erica... Don't ever sell it to anyone!" Erica smiled and laughed mischievously then I rolled my eyes.

Currently, I was working on my next commission for my clients Vin & Shine (they are sweet couple, aww! I'm so excited about their September wedding!) Argh, I need to buy a canvas stretcher!

And surprise, surprise.... I received a Yoka custom toy. I really miss doing my Mellow toy. I can't believe... Yoka is bigger than Mellow! I can't wait to do it for my upcoming client Brenda. Are you all excited about my next custom toy, guys? Indeed, I'm intensely thrilled... *Mall squeals and she coughs badly. Her sister Erica shakes her head and pats Mall's back hardly when she still coughs....* Okay, ok, that's all folks, I need to sleep now. Goodnight and Sweetdreams!