Thanks for your patience!

Hey guys/gals (especially Vivian),

Sorry for leaving this blog for so long. Its been about 4 weeks since my last entry and I apologise to you all. My camera went out of juice and I didn't think of buying a new pair of battery as I was caught up in an exam (a lazy guy's excuse). But don't get me wrong though! I did try to meet my quota. This is my final version of Scolari.

Hope you find this slightly better

The day after my exam, I was 'tarik'-ed by my friends to Jogoya to spend BIG. I never get to understand why it costs so much though, but I must admit that the sashimi was really, really fresh. So I guess that was the premium.

Just say me and my bouncers got into a little bit of misunderstanding

The HELP University College-Branch DAP committee members. Do you know that DAP also stands for a type of fertilizer??

After that, I got on to a slack for about a week where I 'da-kei' (play computer games) practically every hour of everyday. Despite this though, I drew.

Actually there was a '7-chickens-a-week' challenge that my bloody teacher wagered me. It happened during one of the weekends when I came to him holding a newspaper cutting of a Serama Chicken and told him how much I will improve in my watercolour skills if I just paint enough of it. I told him that hypothetically, I could rediscover my skill if I just draw one of them every day and might even have a slight improvement by the end of next Saturday. His only reply was a wry smile.

So that was it. I soon found myself stuck with the stupid chicken. However, after my first attempt, I just couldn't bring myself to draw the second one because I realised that the training that my teacher gave me shielded me from any deterioration in my watercolour skills.

My first watercolour in 6 months

So basically, I can't really find any room for improvement (with the standard that I have, I don't think that I can improve it any more) so I let him have a look before my next attempt. I have to say that he was quite pleased with it and noted that I did not lose any of my touch. There are still room for improvement though!

Then, I was also provided with the task of designing my first ever serious watercolour painting with a picture as a loose reference. I copied some, modified a little, and then scratched my head on what I want to relate.

Then suddenly, it dawned on me that painting is really a very hard and technical subject.

First, I have to consider what I want to tell. A good painting should also bring a message to the beholder as of what a painter is narrating.

Then, you have to justify the mood of your narration by contemplating on the composition of the drawing such as the structure of the painting, vantage point and the placement of objects (as well as how they should inter-play among one another).

After that, you have to think of the actions of the subjects and choose the best that comprehends the composition of the painting and effective in portraying the message that you want to convey.

With that, it is down to your drawing skills to bend the drawing to your will (which I suck big time).

After that is completed, it is down to colours. One should have the discipline to pick colours that accentuate the mood and message of the painting as well as have the knowledge of when and how to use contrasting and compromising colours. The size and approximation of objects must be considered when a colour is picked.

With that, the final step is down to your painting skills. Again, the technique applied must amplify the mood and message of the painting.

All of these flashed across my mind in less than 2 seconds. Suddenly, I felt not to paint any more. As you can see below, my draft really sucks.

Watercolour painting (draft). Apart from the guy on the right, everything came out of my mind. No real story to tell and the actions are awkward

Still picking the colours. Haven't been able to spend extra time to complete my painting though because I'm now officially a Vacation Trainee!

My dog tag for the next three months. So addicted am I that I can't go to toilet without it (also a security pass)

Yup! Working for 3 months in an accounting firm. Don't ask me to buy you lunch though. With my unemployment certain in the foreseeable next quarter of the year, I need donations from all of you.

Well, by this time, I'm sure you thought of my pastel. Have I abandon it for watercolour? Well, below is what I drew yesterday. I think you can recognise it. A popular figure. Bout 30% completed.

Indy. A bit lousy in mixing colours

So that's it for this post. Extra long. I hope you enjoy this post and give as much comment as possible.

Regards,