Watercolor Calligraphy Workshop - Dumaguete | Oct 2018

Last Sunday, I held my first calligraphy workshop open to the public. I did workshops previously for a younger but bigger group but it was sponsored by a local cooperative so that's not counted. I also held a private group at a cafe last July of last year, which was of a friend. For this session, we held it at Bo's Coffee meeting room.

This was attended by four participants. Each class can accommodate ten people at maximum. Kits were provided and I took the chance to have a little pop-up display of my on-hand items and sold them for really lower prices, much like a flash sale.

This workshop uses watercolors and a brush.

Painting miniature artworks using watercolors

I was looking for an alternative to artist's tape and found out I could use washi tape instead. I tried it out on a scrap of paper and was happy to see it worked! So I decided to do a proper painting.

I prepared a 7x5 inch ready-cut watercolor paper and made a grid of twelve blocks, 4 columns and 3 rows. I painted these landscapes and galaxy scapes, some sea scapes and one or two sunsets. It was really fun to do, as they're smaller than the usual size I work with.

After paintng, I was so excited while peeling off the tape. And well, it did not disappoint! The mini's look really great up close. Better than expected. Now I'm wondering if I can do one with flowers.

This reminds me so much of Loraine Loots' Painting for Ants which I absolutely adore. I'm so awed by her talent and her work. She paints very small round paintings of everything in great detail!

So here is my own versiono of painting tiny art. Supplies I used are listed below:

• Strathmore 500 Series Hot Press 5x7 300g/m2
• Winsor Newton Cotmanh
• Brush #3 Sekaido Round
• Brush 5/0 Camlon Pro Plata Artetje

Upcycle Idea - Used Paper Bags

Re-use take out paperbags by using the reverse side and turn them into tiny favor bags! All you need is a nice washi tape, cute sticker or gift tag, ribbons or twine and some DIY time!

You will need:

* used paper bags

* a pair of scissors

* stickers, washi tapes, gift tags

* double-sided tape or glue

* some goodies to put in the bag

Painting a floral skull using watercolors and gouache

This is a commissioned artwork to be made as a cover for a scrapbook for a group of med students. This took more time and effort than most of my previous work since I had to draw before I paint. I usually avoid drawing first if I can get away with it because the pencil strokes couldn't be erased when it's been painted over. This one's a bit more complicated to paint directly.

It's been fun to make this and a good thing that I filmed while painting because I had to redo the whole thing and resorted to graphic design tools and resources. Client had further changes after artwork was already done.

I'm posting the video at the bottom of this post if you want a preview of how I did the painting process.

Thanks for dropping by!

Supplies used:

Canson XL Watercolor paper

Winsor and Newton Cotman paint

Marie's Gouache

Silver Black Velvet #6

Painting watermelons on a bookmark using watercolors

Painting watermelon slices are so easy, even children can do it! Here I did a pattern for a bookmark. Just some eye candy to add to that nice book I'm reading.

Seen in Ilocos { Kapurpurawan Rock Formations }

Seen in Ilocos { Saud Beach }

On our way back from Pagudpod, we passed by Saud Beach known for its white sand stretching for about two kilometers. We only stayed for a few minutes but we love how it was not crowded and the beach looked very pristine.

Seen in Ilocos { Churches - Santa Maria Church }

Sta. Maria Church also known as the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption is in the province of Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur. This church is built on a hill and is a really big structure in its area. It's in the list of Baroque Churches in the Philippines.

Caricature

I tried drawing my friends to see if I could really do portraits that resemble them. I started with painting on paper but I could never get it right so I adjust the paintings in Photoshop. It takes forever to do finish one portrait because I struggle at getting the facial characteristics right.

I think I got some of them right but I feel it's too energy consuming if I keep making these. But here they are.

Karla

GB

Jean

Koren

Yuner

Joanna Loves Yah

Today is Joanna's birthday and what a wonderful excuse to take portraits! We had a great time having a photowalk around SU campus. Her friend Miles was with us, stylist-slash-director-slash-location scout-slash-motivator. In short, he was her one-man support team.

There were some really good spots around campus that wouldn't normally catch a photographer's eye. I'm really more into the bright spots and the non-cluttered areas. I also gravitate around spots with repeating lines or patterns or solids with dark or light colors.

Joanna was shy and awkward at first but as soon as we warmed up, she got the hang of it. It was a big help that we went to shoot on a Saturday so campus was less crowded. I know that feeling when people are looking at you. I mean, I get shy when people see me taking pictures, how much more if you were the one I'm shooting? So all conditions were in our favor.

These photos are my simple gift to her, for being a dear friend and for being such a kind-hearted human. She deserves to be happy and so much more. It's the least I could give. Happiest birthday, Joey!

Tago Family Portraits [2016]

Rhea and her family have portraits shot every year around Christmastime. It's been their tradition for so many years. They have a different theme each year and for this shoot, they wanted to do the Beatles crossing the road shot.

I love that they brought their furry family member, Yoda. And how they wore all matchy clothes.

We took photos in Silliman campus, along Hibbard Hall, near Silliman Church and the field fronting the SU main library. If I remember correctly, it was a Sunday in the middle of the holiday season so there was almost nobody in campus. Perfect shooting conditions.