now in color

I thought I'd try playing with a bit of color, since it's something I rarely do.  It's always fun, but takes more time than just scribbling out a simple sketch, even in this "sketchy" stage.  

Way back in the day, I used to break out the paints when I wanted color.  Although Photoshop makes experimenting infinitely easier (and more risk free) somehow, I still have a hard time making the leap.   Lack of patience?

Siggraph 2009

I went to Siggraph this year in New Orleans. The gender balance at these conferences has improved tremendously!

Disneyland

Disneyland is possibly the best place to people watch, ever. All ethnicities, all kinds of families, all ages.

All modes of transport...

more cafe sketching

I'm not sure why, but it does seem that I always manage to catch only right profiles on some days, and only lefts on others. It probably has to do with where I sit, and what direction the windows are. Most people do like to face the window, as was the case here. But it does make for a rather uniform looking sketchbook page.

The woman on the bottom left corner had this wonderful, Bardot-like hair. I watched a man try to pick her up by inquiring about her iPhone. I imagine that it went something like "Hey, I'll show you my apps if you show me yours!" But I'm probably wrong. In any case, she clearly turned him down, because he did not join her at the table. Instead, he went back in line, and resolutely did not look her direction for his now, brief visit to the cafe. So I did not get to draw him. I hope he enjoyed his pastry.



Symmetrical objects are really hard to draw, and I am not the most patient of artists. I drew and redrew this several times. Still don't have it right. But it did help to turn it upside down a few times (the drawing, not the object).

I actually sketched this a few months ago. I had always heard of the Art Institute and meant to go check it out, and then one day on a walk, stumbled across it. They have a fantastic view from their patio/courtyard, and it was primarily empty!

Periodically, I get brave and decide to try sketching only with pen. This particular pen has a very nice olive green color, (the subtlety of the color is lost in my scan unfortunately).

Whenever I get a particularly nice piece of paper, or a fancy pen, I always suffer from a kind of "stage fright", as if I am being judged by my art materials. I think this is why some of my favorite sketches are done on cheap paper, with pencil. The end result is that I hoard. I really need to get over this because such an attitude really defeats the purpose of having quality supplies.

First sketch of the new year...

hipster

You know, change that Mao hat to a beret, the shirt into a turtleneck, and suddenly he's a beatnik.

The clothes change, the posture does not. Trying to be cool is a futile endeavor because what you thought was sooooo cool and alternative, tends to look ridiculous when you're 30.

The workaround? Never let yourself be photographed.