TuaEe

Tua Ee (大姨) is my mother's oldest sister. She took care of me and my siblings when we were little like her own. I had always enjoyed visiting her when I had the chance during school holidays, and talking to her over the phone was always a joy. I had lots of fun taking worry-free naps in her house, and fixing broken things around her house with just my Swiss army knife. I was often rewarded with a big smile, endless of compliments, and a full stomach.
She always cooked the best meals, baked the best cookies, and I was never complaining about have to finish up so that she didn't have to worry about leftovers.
I called her every year during Chinese New Year, and wished her that she'd be blessed with good health and happiness, and often times, we would be giggling over the phone.
This coming Chinese New Year however, I will no longer be hearing her voice, nor will I be able to make her laugh. She had left us in her sleep, peacefully and quietly. I am sad that I was not able to be at her funeral to tell her goodbye for the last time, and that she has a strong and permanent place in my heart, right next to my cousin Ping See, which I will always revisit.

(Pencil on Moleskine Sketchbook 5.5x3.5")

Sorry I had not been drawing or posting. I will not promise anything, and I appreciate the thoughts and your time to read.

Guardian Angel

About a month ago, the daughter of my co-worker and friend of mine got involved in an accident. The road was dark and probably slippery too, and she crashed into a tree. People nearby managed to pull her out of the wreck. She's healing well, and doing better each day, and her injuries were mostly from lacerations, despite the front end of the vehicle was crumpled beyond recognition. She couldn't remember the whole thing, which is probably a blessing, but most of all... the car did what it was supposed to do, protect the driver. When I looked at the picture taken of the wreck, I couldn't imagine how one could have survived it. To me, "someone" was looking after her.

I was also just thinking if I was 16, and if me or my friend got in an accident like that, how would that affect me. Will I ever drive again? Will this be something I can tell my kids and grandkids one day? I don't really know. But one thing that I used to do when I was 16 is drawing greeting cards for friends(because I couldn't afford to buy them gifts, and hand drawn cards are always unique), so I did just that for her eventhough I don't know her. 

I got all the management team to sign the card and gave it to my co-worker yesterday. She happily reported to me this morning that they like the card, and found it meaningful. I'd say, mission : Successful :) 

Here is the front of the card (9x6"). And this 350Z has gone to Heaven but not forgotten :)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is almost here, but I am not a very festive people. But that does not stop me for drawing festive subjects right? Take care everyone, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! :)

I am attaching the outline, so that you could print it out and have kids to color them if you like.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know I have been ignoring my blog, and I actually had not drawn anything for a while now. Being a homeowner, wow...it's not easy and it's robbing what little time I have left for myself to do art work.
It was the combination of flying back and visit my family in Malaysia(it was an awesome 3 weeks vacation for me and my wife, I think my wife would have enjoyed it more if she didn't get sick) and trying to find my routine again.
I am working on it and slowly getting back into it. I just want everyone to know that my blog is not dead, because I won't allow it. I may not be posting as much, but I will post something every once in a while.
Take care everyone, and have a great Thanksgiving! :)
Oh yeah, almost forgot. I am attaching this also, so that you could print it out and have kids to color them if you like.

Green Eye

It's St. Patrick's day today, and I am not wearing green, and I am not going out as well(eventhough my car needs a wash desperately). I don't think I will get pinched even if I go out, being a 6'2 tall Asian guy can be pretty intimidating, and I always have excuse of being cultural ignorant or something like that :) But I don't want to get cyber-pinched too, so I have decided to draw something green.

Mixed media on Moleskine Sketchbook (5.5 x 3.5")

I've also included some steps of how it got from just outlines to semi-realism state. Hope you like them and HAPPY SAINT PADDY'S DAY.

P.S.: Don't pinch me, or I'll get really angry, and you won't like it when I am angry....- Hulk(before he turns green that is) ^^

Self Portrait

After thinking for a while, I finally decided to do this. It's not easy but I thought it'd be a good exercise.
I looked surprised, because that's the expression I had when my bestfriend decided to do a Google Hangout with me, with his newborn baby girl, and they are 10,000 miles away. It was the first time I felt so connected to his family and home again. I can't wait to go back next year and play with this little girl.He snapped a picture of me and his girl, and it quickly became our little 'thing' :) I may looked surprised, but that warm fuzzy feeling which I felt inside the whole time, can still be felt every time I think about it.

(Pencil+Marker on Moleskine Sketchbook 5.5x3.5")

Here I'd like to congratulate my bestfriend, his wife, and the little baby girl. I am so happy for you guys words can't describe.

Thank you all for visiting and for your comments.

A Tool

Finally my first week of working in normal working hours. I am truly enjoying the weekends like normal now, and I do sleep better at night after getting off the swing shift. Though not everything is perfect, like for example, my PS3(PlayStation 3) broke on me last weekend. I really wanted to draw last week but I was too busy trying to find out what was wrong with it. It wouldn't play the games on the Blu-ray discs, but it would play the Blu-ray movies or DVD movies just fine. I did many formatting to the hard drive full format included(which took 18hours) and it still didn't work. Finally I just took my bestfriend's advice to just clean the Blu-ray laser lens.

I have never taken the PS3 apart, so I thought I needed some tools. This is one of the tools I used(my wife bought me that for Christmas and I love it because it's got magnetic bits, it extends, and designed by the Germans. 

                                                    (Moleskine Sketchbook 5.5x3.5")

So I cleaned the lens with rubbing alcohol, dust off some parts, and cleaned off the excess grease on the moving parts and relubricate them with gun oil, and put it back together. And guess what, it worked! =) I saved $100 of repair bill, and probably saved $250 from getting a new PS3, and I earned lots of confidence from opening the unit, and I can confidently tell people that I could service their PS3 if they want me to, that is priceless ^^

Just so you're wondering how the Blu-ray disc drive inside the PS3 looks like, here it is:-

Thank you all for your comments =)

KaQin Turning 4

I had been sketching KaRyn, my baby niece who's turning 1 soon, and I almost forgot that I have not been doing the same for my older niece KaQin.
She's turning 4 in a month time, and I could totally see how much she grew since the last time I drew her 2.5 years ago. This is how she looks now:-

(Moleskine Sketchbook 3.5x5.5")

And these are the sketches of her I did of her 2.5 years ago. Time sure flies and kids grow so fast!

Thank you everyone for your time and comments. I do not have time to reply all comments, but when I do find the time, I'll get back to them.

Pascal

Watched a good movie yesterday, Disney's Tangled. It's been long overdue, but I love almost all Disney animations, 2D or 3D. I am easily touched by movies like this, and I told my wife how much I liked it. And then I told her "Okay I am gonna draw" "Draw what?" She asked. I said I don't know. And then she suggested "Why don't you draw something from the movie?" So here's the very cute chameleon named Pascal from the movie(hopefully I don't get in trouble for this). I've always liked chameleon because I thought they are so cool(especially when their eyes work independently simultaneously, like 2 separate radars.

(Moleskine Sketchbook 3.5x5.5")

Thank you all again for your comments, and time to write them. 7 days of 12hours shift had costed me quite a bit, exhaustion to name a few, and a slight twist on my right shoulder which saved me from a potential 20 foot dropped. I didn't get any treatment, just letting it heal by itself, and it is still weak and hurts every time I try to push or pull hard with my right arm. But the 7 days off after the 7 days of work helped a lot. We went back to Louisiana for 4 days, celebrated my father-in-law's and my birthday since they are just 3 days apart, ate a lot of good food(Seafood Gumbo!). So everything is good except that Meela is getting spayed tomorrow and I am worried for her.

Meela

I have a hectic schedule. I had to drive back to Louisiana to drop off the car, and me and my brother-in-law drove back on the same day. It was 5am in the morning September 30th, and by the time we got back home it was 2am October 1st. While I was in Louisiana I met with my publisher and revised 3 pages of the blacklines and with hope, it's finalized for good.
And then on Sunday, October 3rd, we drove to Nashville and back to get this girl, Meela. =)

(Moleskine Sketchbook 3.5x5.5")

She's a British Shorthair, and close to 5 months old as of today. She's very playful, but very quiet, and has got a pair of beautiful amber eyes. She follows people around like a little puppy, and she sleeps like a champ. After sketching Bosco and Athena, I thought that I should at least sketch our own pet. Hopefully this won't be the last, and I'll try to do more of her as she grow to be bigger each day.
I'll start my 7days-in-a-row 12hour shift tomorrow, won't have time to sketch until afterwards. Happy drawing everyone and thank you all so much for your comments and remarks.
(Update on Athena post : The owner almost cried receiving the portrait of her little puppy. Too bad I wasn't there to witness it, but I am deeply gratified)

Betty

I am not sure if Betty will be upset that I scanned her "gift" and posting it here. I am doing it anyway because I am using this as a little "Thank You" note to her for her constant feedback and support. =) This is to you BettyfromTexas.

My car

This is a post long overdue. Been busy at work rushing complete things I needed to learn, and shift work is definitely wearing me off in such a away that it's almost impossible for me to draw after working 12-13hours. And on my days off I'd be running errands and was busy moving in and getting the essentials done. Along the way we celebrated my wife's birthday, bought some furniture, and then there's a car.
Yes I finally bought a car, my very first in the states, and I am really happy about it. Taking Betty's advice, I decided to sketch a part of it.

Why only a part and not the whole car? Hmmm... I ran out of space on my Moleskine, plus I also thought about having a little quiz. Open to all EDMers only, the first one to guess what car it is correctly(Make and Model), I'll send something nice(hand drawn) to your doorstep/mailbox. Yes, my very first giveaway! YAY! So only ONE guess allowed  per person, unlimited comments and feedback allowed though ;) and it'll last until someone gets it right. I'll then contact you for your contacts and all.

Plants Vs. Zombies

I have to admit, I love video games. I wish I have more times playing them, but they do occupy a lot of time, almost like watching movies and very often requires a lot more concentration and good hand-eye co-ordination.
I was at first a little skeptical about this Plants Vs. Zombies game(available in all game consoles, computers, and smartphones) that it's just a simple game with simple designs, simple musics, simple structures, simple objectives, and simple graphics, made by perhaps people with simple minds. And boy was I so wrong =) It is the simplicity of the game that helped me to remember why I like video games in the first place, to have fun and forget about stress in life for just a moment of course.
I've probably spent more than 50 hours playing this game since I got it, defending my home against brain craving zombies using my plants, and I can't remember not laughing or giggling everytime I play it. It's the same feeling I get when I watch cartoons(and yes I love cartoons too, and I think the cartoonists are the most creative people in the world because they make people laugh).
So all I am saying is that, people behind Plants Vs. Zombies are not simple minded at all, but really creative and fun people. Perhaps that's why Electronic Arts (or EA, video game giant company) plans to acquire Popcap(the company behind Plants Vs. Zombies, and games like Bejewelled) for the rumored amount of USD1.3 billion, pretty impressive right?

5x8" Large Moleskine sketchbook

Thank you all so much for your comments. I felt sorry for my Moleskine sketchbook as I've neglected it for a while now(again). It's hard to be consistent nowadays with the 12-hour shift job, and the packing to move by the end of the month. Yes we're moving AGAIN =) but hopefully for the last time in at least 2-3 years. Appreciate all the wishes, and I shall be posting again when I have the time to do so right after settling down.

Black Eyed Peas

Yes the band =) They really churned out a lot of funky and catchy tunes throughout the years, and one of the latest I often heard over the radio is called "Just can't get enough" so I went on Youtube to look at the video, loved it! You can watch it here.
So here's a sketch I did just a few days before(because I knew I was going to be really busy at work for 7 days non-stop, and I was right), and it's based on the music video of course.

(Moleskine sketchbook 5x8")

Thank you all so much for dropping by and leaving comments. You guys are always so kind and encouraging and a lot of times when I am really tired or stressed(not often) from work, I always keep in my mind that at least I have this, life is good(yeah I guess LG is right ^^)

Random

It's been longer than a month since my last post. No I hadn't been drawing, yes I had been studying hard and working on my tasks at work to get 'qualified'. Hopefully I'll have more time to draw more in the future, but I've already pre-decided that I am going to draw everyday when I retire...perhaps in 30 years time...hahahaha.
Here's something that I drew on my Moleskine sketchbook randomly off the images I googled. I used pretty much everything I have on my pencil case, pencils, graphic pens, colored inks, and color pencils. I am liking those grey inks ^^

2'nFro

I was thinking a lot of people have sketched Raena for some reason, so I didn't want to miss the party. But I also remember that she's part of a very interesting project called 2'nFro and Dan Kent is also in it, so I thought it'd be fun to do their profile pictures on my Moleksine.
I thought about doing a really rough one, like comic style, but then I got carried away with values and tones again. I know that there's something absence here which is similarity, but it was fun doing it anyway.
So Dan and Raena, this is for you guys and your fun project =)

 Thank you all for your comments!

Concept : Family

More concept lines, but these are for separate stories and separate authors. I am just throwing ideas out there and waiting for their feedback.
It's hard trying not to get too 'deep' into them as I knew that they are still just within concept sketching phase, but I sometimes do forget and I just had to stop myself.
Thank you so much for all your feedback and comments on my previous post. I really do appreciate the encouragement and the warm welcome from everyone of you. It's almost like coming back to a cozy home after a long travel. You guys are all AWESOME! ^^

Concept Lines

I know that I said I'd be posting more, but like I said... I get distracted very easily sometimes =)
Holiday's been great, work has been okay and it was my first week getting into shift last week.
So I tried getting back in touch with my publisher to see if my pencils are still needed for the previous projects I took on, and they said yes.
I just thought I'd like to share some of the few lines I did for the passed couple of days for the project. It's a story about grandparents' relationships with their grandchildren. And they are still in the very rough phase, just to let the author see and get the feel of what's coming. If she likes it, then I will refine them and add colors. ^^
Thank you all for your comments and it's really great being back drawing again.

Christmas Cards

It's been long, close to 2 months since I last posted. I am sorry, I've been busy.
Mainly because I moved to a new place in Mississippi along with my new job here. I still work in a power plant, but my role is very different. It's almost like starting a new life here, trying to furnish the apartment, buying 'toys' and getting distracted all the time, and of course 10hours of work a day. But that's okay, I think I am getting used to the schedule now, and I should have time for art from now onwards(except for Christmas and New Year Holiday ^^)

I received 2 Christmas cards from my co-workers the other day, and I felt a very warm welcome sent together with the cards, which I just have to reply. So here are 2 cards I drew and made for Jim and Sandra.

 Jim is always out working in the cold. So I thought he'd appreciate a friend to keep him company(although we don't have snow here in Mississippi yet)

Sandra has a cool car. My wife and I sat in her car once, it's very nice! =)

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who's been looking at my blog, and leaving comments. I miss Oni, I can't forget him, and I know he'll always be in my heart. I appreciate your kindness and concern, but I am moving on. I won't get another cat just yet, but someday I will.

Lost

I let our cat Oni out last night at 11pm because he wanted to, he never came back. It's been 24 hours now, and all I could think about is if he's okay, has he got water and food? Chances of him going deep into the woods is pretty high, and I don't think his survival rate is that high since he's been a house cat almost all the time. My wife and I are both very depressed at present time, and we're preparing for the worst, that he's not coming back.
No matter where you are Oni, know that we will always love you, and that you have a home here. You can come home anytime you wish, our hands are always opened for you.

Thank you all for your comments and wishes. I won't be hearing anything from Texas within this couple of weeks although the interview was good, the sad news aside I actually might have a chance to work in Mississippi still. I will keep you guys updated.