Fangirl moment.

I apologise for having to indulge in a fangirl moment. 

Backstory? I think most of us have that one band / musician that we grew up with. You know the one you listen to when you're cramming for exams. The one you are blasting in your room after you've argued with your parents. The one you are hysterically singing / crying along to when you've had your heart broken. The one you are jumping around your room like a mad monkey singing after the last exam for the year. Yeah. That one. For me that was (I confess) Nickelback. Yes, yes, I know that there's a lot divided opinion on Nickelback but yes, for me it was Nickelback. 

I had long giving up hope that they would come to Singapore but after 24 years (and almost 20 years of me listening to their music - which I still do on an almost daily basis), they did!  

 I was intially hesitant to buy tickets to their free-standing only concert - at 5 foot, I'm pretty much at arm-pit level... which doesn't exactly make for much fun in a mosh pit. Like if I held out a lighter at a rock concert, I might set someone on fire... 

But it was Nickelback! Of course paying a premium of S$20 for priority admission so that shorty here could go and stake out a nice spot. 

oh. my. god. No regrets. I don't think I've been this happy since... like I don't know how long... days after the concert and I was still "woooooooooooooooooo!". 

[Feed the Machine. Lullaby. Hangnail. Animals. Something in Your Mouth. How You Remind Me. We Stand Together. Photograph. Burn it to the Ground. Million Miles an Hour. Rockstar. Hero. Far Away. What Are You Waiting For]

My photos suck because I was too excited. But that's how close I was to Chad Kroeger! They of course played their mainstream hits but I was so chuffed that they played some of my favourite non-mainstream songs! Not to mention that I was surprised that Chad Kroger could still sing! AHHHHHH!!!! I love live music... live rock music... LIVE NICKELBACK OMG. 

I don't think words can really describe how excited/happy/fangirl I'm still feeling but OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG maybe cuts it close. One hour 45 minutes of pure joy! 

*contented / excited sigh*

*ahem* *pats down blouse and regains composure*

Back to the Zentangling.

Diva Challenge #387 feat. Hawy:

A long overdue post

Recently attended a Brush Lettering class with Leah Chong of Leah Design - I must admit that whilst I was skeptical, the reviews of her classes and what she says she will deliver are pretty accurate.

I tried to learn Brush Lettering on my own, with purchased worksheets from The Postman Knocks but I felt like I didn't really know what I was doing and I didn't feel or see any improvement. Don't get me wrong the worksheets were gorgeous but perhaps I'm the kind that needs a bit more guidance. 

I must admit that at first I was a bit shocked at how young she was - most classes I've attended were taught by at least middle-aged people who've spent yonks learning to do what they do. However it became clear almost immediately that Leah knew what she was talking about and was skilled in transferring knowledge. 

Even though I only attended the first of the 3 classes with Leah, I feel that I know a lot more than I used to, that I'm writing a lot better than before and I'm a lot more motivated to keep practicing. She's young and cool and open to continuing support (e.g. sending her pieces of work for her to crit so that you know whether you're headed in the right direction or what you should and should not be doing). 

These are the gift tags that I've written up for office valentine's. I think they aren't that bad but of course, there's always room for improvement: 

In case you're wondering why the message is so weird - the are getting personalised bag clips clipped to bags of snacks.

Also sharing my first zentangle tiles of the year: 

Started when I was feeling crap so used some of my favourite tangles on a home-cut Canson Watercolour tile. 

knightsbridge.funsin.shattuck.meer.huggins.frunky.andromeda

My Diva Challenge #384 contribution on a bijou tile, feat. Anthem. I love Anthem and am grateful for the Diva for sharing it. 

Inktober (part 1)

Thankful for Inktober and CZT Stephanie's Zentangle prompts - they are a welcome exercise to re-centre in view of recent events. 

Working on the Inktober Challenges in a small S$2, made in Japan thrift store sketch book. Playing more with "out of the box" tangling because well... I need to think out of the box. 

Doing each "spread" with a different drawing pen, just for kicks - as well as to force me to dip into my collection of pens (which I embarrassingly admit to being relatively extensive).

Days #1-3 - Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.2: 

My comments on the pen: disposable plastic nib pen - until I found the Faber-Castell Ecco Pigment, this was one of my top picks. The ink is not "black black" but seems to be a deep grey (which I do quite like). Readily available locally (albeit slightly pricier than the Sakura Microns) and they come in a multitude of sizes - 0.2 was the one I found to be most comparable to the 01 Micron which I understand to be 0.25mm. Of course, it is notable that they seem to be endorsed by the very talented Johanna Basford of Secret Garden (and more) fame.

Days #4-6 - Faber-Castell Ecco Pigment 0.1: 

My comments on the pen: disposable plastic nib pen - one of my favourites but unfortunately I cannot buy them locally loose - they only come in packs of multiples. I bought mine whilst on vacation. Sizing is a lot more limited and I found 0.1 to be the most comfortable to draw with. Pricier than the Sakura Micons but IMO worth the extra cash. 

Days #7-9 - Tachikawa Linemarker A.T. 0.3 (which also doubles as Diva Challenge #371): 

My comments on the pen: cartridge refillable fountain nib type pen - takes a while to get used to because of the directional nature of a fountain nib. It's wonderfully lightweight. Ink's a bit wet so you have to be careful when drawing (I ended up with accidental smudges here and there - hopefully they are not that obvious). I suspect the wet ink, combined with the clearly not artist grade paper makes it tricky to apply graphite as the paper tends to "rub off". I need to experiment more with this pen.    

Also sharing, for what it's worth, my upcycled tile templates - I carrying them around so that I can draw the tiles in my sketch book when I want tiles. Cut from a pen set packaging - I love fish and I thought it'd be such a waste to toss the box. 

I miss you already Dad

Dad passed away on 23 September 2018 very suddenly. 

I don't know what else to say but that I miss him. 

We miss you Dad.

...

Feeling great that the Diva is back!

Sharing something old and something new!

Catching up on old IAST challenges! This was IAST #251 featuring Stix. 

IAST #256!

 mazorito.pokeleaf.msst.hexa.antidot

Also feeling great that the Diva is back sharing her challenges! 

Diva Challenge #366 - back to basics!

printemps.hollibough.knightsbridge.crescent moon.flux.tipple.florz

I really enjoyed the back to basics tile - and i forced myself to use a "basic" tangle that I've always avoided - crescent moon. Yes don't laugh... Crescent moon. 

So in the same spirit, I moved Crescent moon into this week's challenge. 

 

Diva Challenge #367 feat 'nzeppel. 

crescent moon.flux.tipple.'nzeppel.printemps.paradox

Faber-Castell Art Festival and more!

Warning: Loong, image heavy post! (But do read on... I'd like you to) 

For those in Singapore, the Faber-Castell Art Festival is currently ongoing at Marina Square and will run till 3rd June 2018. If you haven't checked it out you might want to do so. 

Like a little fortress, the fair sits in the central atrium of Marina Square and has several "components". The predominant portion of the fair relates to the children's / school supplies (many of which are on pretty good looking deals). Most things appear to be on at least 15% off with a selection of items on "1-for-1". 

However, for the "hard core" don't dismay!

There are corners dedicated to their "higher end" pens and artist grade art supplies *drool*. Waaay out of my price range but hey! Window shopping is free!

There's also a small art exhibition area which is cool to check out - all pieces made with Faber-Castell products of course. 

I loved the robot / gundam / transformer made of Faber-Castell connector pens *hee hee* 

And perhaps best of all, workshops!!!!! There are workshops EVERYDAY! [It's unbelievably hard for me to find interesting workshops that fit in my work schedule...]

My sister treated me to a 2 hour workshop with local artist William Sim, "Nature Study with Colour Pencils". She went as well of course! This is what I did in the 2 hours: 

Not too bad if I don't say so myself... considering in particular that I've always maintained that I suck at "true to life" drawing, colouring and painting. The wonders a great teacher can do! He was patient, encouraging and gave a lot of "tips and tricks" that I didn't really know about drawing / using watercolour pencils. 

I didn't know much of William Sim before (but my sister is a fan girl). Now that I do know of him, it's really worthwhile taking some time to look at his works - I promise you it's worth it! Here are his pieces that are on exhibition: 

William is holding one more session of this workshop! It's an awesome workshop so do check it out! 

The child in me is also rejoicing at the "fun pack" that comes with joining the class! Woo!

- a tin of 12 Faber-Castell Art Grip Aquarelle - these are AWESOME! 

- 3 graphite pencils

- 1 dustfree easer

- 1 clic & go brush

- 1 clic & go watercup

Bask in the glory of my "fun pack"!  

And of course... all window shopping is never that fun right? Wondering how a pure graphite 3B pencil will work with Zentangle. 

Speaking of zentangle... back to the zentangling! 

IAST #243: Zenbuttons was great fun! Used a different method to do a watercolour background with my Koi markers. Quite liking the outcome!

pokeleaf.florz.chillon.betweed

koi watercolour markers direct wash 

faber-castell ecco pen

Then follows slew of tiles that left much be be desired... and also left me chanting "there's no mistakes in zentangle... there's no mistakes in zentangle... there's no mistakes in zentangle... ". Hence, BE BRAVE! And share the not so great tiles too... right? 

Tried yet another method of watercolour backgrounds, this time with a Koh-I-Noor watercolour pan  that I got as part of the "project pack" of a workshop I attended at Overjoyed some time back. The outcome was a little "powdery" but after a few swipes with a tissue it was fine. To add experiment to experiment, tried to tangle on it with a "pointed pen"- a Zig manga nib holder and a Nikko G nib with Yellow Gold from the Kuretake Gansai Tambi Starry collection. Took a workshop on this a while back at Heartistry - thanks CZT Mabel! CZT Mabel is giving another class on this soon if you are interested!

More experiments were abound with a black background (using my Sakura Identity marker) and 5 colours of Sakura Moonlight pens (and a white of course). ("there's no mistakes in zentangle... there's no mistakes in zentangle... there's no mistakes in zentangle...")

Also experimented with Staedtler Karat Aquarell watercolour crayons with some round gems (the box of 12 that I bought were on sale). 

Also used these crayons for the background of IAST #244:

auraknot.paradox

staedtler karat aquarell crayon background

micron PN in navy.staedtler fineliners.warm grey copic liner 

Also sharing Joey's weekly challenge #217 feat. cadent:

cadent.knightsbridge.aquafleur.tipple.mooka.y.a.f. 

koi direct watercolour

staedtler pigment liner

Started out with a regular cadent then got bored and went a little crazy... resulting in a weird looking tile... ah well.. live and learn. There's no mistakes in zentangle right?

Diva Challnge #364 feat. Puf

puf 

staedlter pigment liner

Joey's Challenge #218 feat Dicso:

dicso.florz.printemps.knightsbridge.huggins

faber-castell ecco pigment liner

Now, if ya'll will excuse me, I need to go and see if there's more workshops at the Faber-Castell Art Festival that I can sign up for!

Watercolour wash phase 1!

Been going through a watercolour wash phase! 1st few times I'm trying watercolour washes in my sketch book as opposed to on loose tiles.

Diva Challenge #362 feat. Somnee 

somnee.cruffle.moonrock

sakura koi watercolour wash

Joey's Challenge #215 feat. Whirlee

whirlee.neuron

Tried something a little bit different with the orbs, having chanced upon CZT Stephanie's tutorial on gems using watercolour markers. CZT Stephanie's tutorial features a pink gem with Tombow markers. I did mine using grey Sakura Koi markers. Thank you CZT Stephanie for a beautiful tutorial. If you haven't tried it you should check it out!

Having done the watercolour marker gems, I thought I'd revisit colour pencil gems.

These were done in omni intense colour pencils with a derwent blender. After all, Practice makes Perfect right? And at this juncture, I must show one of my recent purchases - I read an article online that says you are a true stationary geek if when you go overseas, your "souvenirs" are from the stationary shop.

Mea culpa!

One of my souvenirs from Ipoh! That I used to draw my gems of course!

Continued on my gemmy journey with Joey's Challenge #216 feat. Friendship

squid.friendship 

sakura koi watercolour wash 

uni-pin in black and blue 

omni intense colour pencils 

I love how my "friendship" kinda turned out like a row of smiling blue whales. LOL.

Diva's Challenge #363 - Laura's Auras - wasn't quite sure what it meant but I thought it had to do with auras. Lots and lots of auras.

caracole

sakura koi watercolur wash 

Tried to play  a bit with line weight with my Sakura PN on this one - I have the bad habit of pressing down too hard on my pens =(. 

And when I ran out of ideas for strings, I fell back on one of Ben Kwok's free templates.

printemps.zedbra.hibred.'nzeppel.onomato.bunzo.knightsbridge.leaflet.shattuck 

ben kwok's flamingo template 

staedtler fineliner in pink.sakura micron 

omni intense colour pencils

Have also been trying to egg myself to use tangles I wouldn't normally choose to use.

enyshou.pokeroot.pokeleaf.zinger.mooka

sakura koi watercolour wash 

sakura microns in black and green 

Yes I know it's weird that I avoid these planty tangles that I suspect are many people's go to tangles!

tonnes to share!

I've just realised that I haven't posted for a month. Wow. 

Just took a trip to Ipoh - think I needed the break more than I knew I did. Spent some time with friends and visited an Aunty that I hadn't seen in 5 years. Enjoyed the trip thoroughly and am now thinking whether I have the finances (and leave) to take another trip soon.

Sharing some sights (sadly no sounds) of Ipoh. 

I loved the wall art! 

And the nature sites were awesome!

Also showing off my Aunt's and Uncle's lovely garden!

Also sharing some of my recent tiles: 

Diva Challenge #358: Pickpocket - was thinking of wall graffiti when I was doing this tile. Done with Omni Intense Colour Pencils. 

pickpocket 

IAST #237 - featuring Kaboom:

kaboom.mooka

I did this in a Starbucks one day! With my flamingos and a lego man for company. Makes me smile just thinking about it.

Joey's Challenge #211- featuring Breach:

breach.kaboom.shattuck.primtemps.abacus

Joey's Challenge #212 - featuring Relly Telly One:

relly telly one.yincut.'nzeppel.sandswirl.knightsbridge.c-six

Diva Challenge #361:

Cut out this tile from the book depository packaging from my newly ordered book.

From this:

To this:

 knightsbridge.frunky.printemps.andante.hibred

This was a little challenging as my tile is kinda like corrugated cardboard so my lines were unintentionally squiggly! Was half afraid that my pen would poke right through the surface! 

Joey's Challenge #214 - featuring Spoken:

spoken.paradox.fife.widgets.ginli.mooka.jonqal.pokeleaf.stripling.amoeba.cubine.flux.tipple.tripoli.pokeroot

The speck in the centre is not a ink blot btw, it's the hole made by my compass cutter. A good thing to have to anyone who wants to cut / make their own zendala tiles! Mine was a gift from my father many years ago - a random crafty item he bought when he was on holiday with his friends. Yes, my Dad rocks. 

The last Joey's tile above was done with my new pen from my sister *drumroll*, a Rotring Rapidograph 0.2! How awesome is that. I've read about them (at places like Jetpens) but couldn't bear to shell out that kind of money for a pen! Blessed I am with awesome family members! 

But woohoo! My sister rocks and gifted me one!!! Tested it out on Mack, a tangle I read about on TickedToTangle (but never got around to doing the challenge) and it is so crisp it's amazing. Here it is side by side with my well used Micron. For those eagle eyed people out there, yes, it is a metal tipped pen. I thought it would be scratchy but it's not! 

Although, it kinda reminds me of an epi or insulin pen though *shudder*.

Last and perhaps not least, I still haven't heard from some of my giveaway winners =(. Not quite sure what to do. Any suggestions?

++edit: Ria, Lisa and Margaret please contact me over winning prizes on my giveaway! logically_thinking at yahoo dot co dot uk!!