Something New

On one of my recent art tambays with Hannah, we talked about our art. I told her that I was tired of painting flowers, that I didn’t want to known as the girl who can only paint one thing. She agreed saying that she was also tired of seeing my sunflower paintings, “eww”. Of course she said it in jest, but it got to me a bit HAHA. So I decided I’ll try to paint something different, something new. I went with food illustration which is Monique’s specialty.

Matcha Parfait and Halo-halo ♥

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It all started with the left painting. I was craving for Kissako’s matcha parfait that time, so I painted it HAHA. The right one was a request by a friend. I used a Sakura Gelly roll for the whites for both paintings. Speaking of Kissako, we went there last year to have that same parfait. Read more about it on Inggo’s blog. (Yup, it’s back!)

I also attempted to paint Friuli Trattoria‘s margherita pizza and ravioli. I don’t like my first attempt, haha. Its a bit obvious that I tried to save the drawing with inks. I’ll try better next time. I also painted my favorite dessert from said resto: their tiramisu gelato (below, left). The pyramid-shaped thing is their pharaoh’s delight gelato. I thought it looked challenging to paint a white gelato.

Avocado Sans Rival (Left) & Avocado Cupcake (Right).

I find food illustration a bit challenging. From the photo above, I tried inking the paintings to see what it would look like. I liked the effects on the cake, but meh on the cupcake. These are Lia’s Cakes in Seasons cakes. ♥ I already blogged about them here. The avocado sans rival is my favorite!

Puto Bumbong Cake (Left) and Avocado Cheesecake (Right).

More Lia’s Cakes. I haven’t tried the puto bumbong cake yet, but I’m really curious about the taste. Their only branch is in Kapitolyo, so its a bit of a hassle to commute from where I live (QC). The avocado cheesecake is also one of my favorites.

And finally, I tried painting matcha desserts referenced online. I tried to make different line thickness for the white parts and failed. HAHA. The main color that I used here is Winsor & Newton’s Sap green, mixed with a bunch of random colors.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience with food illustration. Its a bit challenging on deciding on how I want to render the drawing: to ink or not, to be realistic with it or as loose as I can. I used my moleskine watercolor pad for this (which I bought years ago and didn’t like). But now I love this pad HAHA. I guess through experience with watercolor? I want to try painting food again soon, but for now, I’ll try another different subject.

Artworks (July 2017- September 2017)

Another compilation post! The last time I did this was last May, I think. So here are the art works that are yet featured here on my blog. Picture heavy post ahead! ♥

An attempt with landscape.

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My cover photo was an attempt at plein air or landscape painting of my client’s farm at Iba, Zambales. I brought my seamountainco set with me, assuming that we’d stop by the beach HAHA. Unfortunately, they were far from the beach.

Left: Practicing hydrangeas again | Right: An attempt at magnolias.

Before & After photo of my phaelaenopsis orchid painting. I turned this one into an individual sticker. ♥

More magnolia practice. I’m also practicing painting white flowers recently. I like the challenge.

Paper tests by painting sunflowers. The left one is the Strathmore Visual Journal paper. The other one is Hahnemuhle watercolor postcard. Portrait practice using my W&N cotman set. ♥

Sunflower during another art tambay at Makati. ♥ This is so beautiful in real life! Andrea gave me a sample of her handmade sparkly watercolor which I used for this piece. ♥

Left: Peony practice on Berkeley paper. I don’t like it, haha. | Right: Peony practice on my Monologue notebook using Mikalaro’s waterbrushes.

Left: More peony practice. I still don’t like it HAHA. | Right: Another peony practice! This was done during another art tambay with friends.

I turned one of my early peony paintings into an individual sticker. Pictured here is seamountainco’s new product: a small tin case that houses 16 handmade watercolors with a separate mixing plate. Its sooooo cute! ♥

And that’s it for now HAHA. Looking at my artworks and my comments, it seems like I’m way too hard on myself. Maybe its because your worst critic is yourself? I’m still not satisfied with the way I do peonies. But I’m trying my best to improve. I think I’m comparing my current artworks with the previous ones. Right now, they are too “controlled” looking compared to my noob days with “careless, loose strokes“. Sigh. Its hard to find the balance that I want.

But let’s keep trying.

Artworks (Dec 2016 – March 2017)

When was the last time I did a compilation post? I think its been months. So here are some artworks I did during December last year up to March. These are the artworks that weren’t featured in previous blog posts.

Self portrait in different styles.

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Watercolor test on a local paper brand. I hate it so much lol.

Fabriano paper test. This is the 63php pack that I found at Fullybooked. They also sell it at National bookstore. Both sides are okay for watercolor. Currently loving this brand. ♥

More portrait practice. Left: Berkeley watercolor paper | Right: Monologue notebook.

Sunflower art I did when Hannah came over to visit one day at home. ♥

I need to make more art. I’m running out of blog posts HAHA.

Winsor & Newton Cotman

After months of deciding, I finally bought my own Winsor & Newton Cotman set!

2016 08 W&N box

Ta daaaaa ♥

Since I can’t afford the 45 set yet, this will do. I ordered mine from The Opinionated Store. It was my first online purchase from a local art supply store. It was hassle free! I just messaged my order on their Facebook page, selected the method of payment (Online bank) and delivery (LBC), and I got it the next day ♥.

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2016 08 W&N closed

So pocket friendly!

2016 08 W&N unboxing 1

Just like yummy candy ♥

2016 08 W&N unboxing 2

With a travel brush!

The W&N Cotman sketchers pocket box is Winsor & Newton’s student grade. The colors included are: Lemon Yellow Hue, Cadmium Yellow Hue, Cadmium Red Pale Hue, Alizarin Crimson Hue,  Ultramarine, Intense blue or Pthalo Blue, Viridian, Sap Green, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, and Chinese White.

I can’t wait to try my new bbs. ♥