Sketchbook - Color Pencil Onew # 2

This is a reference photo I used to create the base of another color pencil drawing. Once again, Onew (a member from the Korean group SHINee) makes an appearance.

The topic of home had been lingering in my mind when working on this drawing. I associate Onew with the idea of home, only because his personality appears to be down-to-earth, easy going, and calm. That's how I would like my future home to be. 

My job also had some influence on the end result. Working in an architecture firm has made me more aware of architectural details. So much of my recent work includes quirky houses decked in mountains of tiles and patterns.

Enjoy the photo progression!

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       Click on the images to enlarge

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Onew #2. May 2013. Rembrandt Polycolor Pencils

 I would love to do a collection of people as homes. It's a nice topic I hope to explore in the future (not including the many other projects I seem to start and not finish, heh).

Side note: I'll be retaking a photo of this drawing. The skin came out paler than it actually is.

Sketchbook - SHINee Color Explosion

I mentioned in a previous post (click here) that a Korean boy band named SHINee inspired me to draw again after a personal crisis. This is another SHINee member I decided to draw. His name is Kim Kibum-although, he goes by the name Key. I used this photo as a reference for the base sketch. It's been awhile since I've drawn faces, so I was worried about the end result. It took me a few hours to get a rough sketch down before I started coloring.

I struggled with the collar and shoulder design. I realized the pattern clashed with his hair. I had to figure out a way to erase the pattern-especially since the layer of color pencil was heavy-without destroying the integrity of the paper. I gently erased as much of the pattern as I could (Color pencil applied on lightly is easy to erase. Applied heavily, it's a different story). The color had dulled down enough that I applied a new layer of color pencil. I do like the end result, especially since some of the previous pattern shows through. It gives the collar and shoulder more dimension.     

SHINee's Kim Kibum. 2012. Color pencil.

It took me more than a month to finish this while juggling between work and other projects. It's even more difficult to finish full color pieces since I work full time now. That breaks me heart a little, but I try to figure out ways around the time crunch.

Happy Friday everyone!

Artist Reawakening - Onew I

I had dropped illustration for awhile since I struggled with personal and financial issues when the recession hit a few years ago. It really crushed my creative spirit. One day, I randomly stumbled onto a music video from a Korean boy group called SHINee. For some reason, listening to their songs lifted my spirits.

After some time (2012), and feeling in a better mood, I decided to work on a color drawing to see if my hands remembered how to utilize art utensils and materials.

- This is the reference image I used. Onew is the leader of SHINee and my favorite Korean singer. 

I drew a rough version of Onew's face and started to let ideas flow on the page. Then I broke out the color! This was my first time utilizing Rembrandt polycolor pencils.
 

Sunset Onew. 2012. Rembrandt Polycolor Pencil, tan cardstock.

I felt so relieved once I completed this. It felt really good to know I still had the heart to illustrate ideas.

Then again, when your passionate about something, that passion never really leaves you, does it?



This piece holds a special place in my heart. I didn't think listening to music would motivate me to dive back into drawing again. It triggered an artistic reawakening in me, something I truly needed.