Sketch

Verric speaking here





We were asked recently by Jono to include 5 extra pages in chapter 2, so I've been working hard on these as well as my chapter 2 final edits. I've planned to have 3 pages of illustrations out of the 5, so I'm hoping they turn out exactly as I have planned :D The sketch above will be our intro page in which I try something new with inking! I will post up the results

Breakfast sketch

A sketch by Verric

Reading

Verric speaking here!

One thing I love is a good book. And as someone terribly interested in drawing, I love a good book on drawing! I picked up this one from my local library recently:



The author is absolutely crazy about inks!



There are so many types of inks and different ways of applying them. For example, there was a bit where they talk about chinese stick inks - they cost a bomb, one stick lasts forever, improve over time like wine and can be passed down from generation to generation!



Sorry for the horrible mobile phone pics. I don't have access to a scanner while my younger sisters are home for school holidays. But those are just an example of some of the pictures in the book. The one with the horseman was an example of creative freehand work, and the rhino's textured skin is made out of crawling people - it reminded me of Heironymous Bosch.

I'm really intimidated! ;_; There's so much to learn! I want to improve my inking so much since that's one of the huge areas in which I am lacking. And I really need to invest in proper inking pens and materials. Maybe later I'll make a post about the inferior materials I currently use! ^^"

What Verric has been up to...

Verric speaking here!



That's the inside of my house... Okay, you got me there! It isn't.

I recently visited the Art Gallery of NSW to see "The First Emperor: China's Entombed Warriors" exhibition. (See here for info!) It is amazing to see the terracotta warriors. They brought one of each type, as well as various artefacts from that time period including items from the first emperor's tomb. A long time ago, my ancestors came from China, and my parents still identify as Chinese, so to me it was fascinating to be able to see a piece of history here in Sydney. They had a slideshow playing showing some of the faces and hairstyles seen in some of the warriors... they need to bring back braided hair and topknots for men!

To me, the negatives are that you have to pay to go in, it seems to be pretty popular (and hence crowded) and it's all dark and atmospheric. I prefer bright lighting! (Also, no photography allowed!)

We also looked around the rest of the gallery - my parents loved the asian artefacts section.



That's part of my art supply cupboard next to my desk - can you spot my chinese warrior paper doll and his "clothes horse"?

Sketch of suits

Verric will finish this eventually




Also, a late happy new year! May 2011 bring you all you wish for.

Update - 29 Dec 2010

Verric is busy drawing (see this post here to see the progress) and Evi is busy writing! No rest for the wicked!

Inspirations

Verric speaking here!


I got my copy today from Borders and I was struck with a mixture of "OMG, I'm published!" and "OMG, I let them publish this?"

Nonetheless, being in Kiseki with all those inspirational, hardworking writers, artists and illustrators is insane - in a good way. There's a lot of pressure to be as good as they are. It got me thinking... what else have inspired me over time?

The first anime I fell in love with is Zoids. Even now for me, nothing can top Zoids: Chaotic Century and Guardian Force. I think all the love is from nostalgia though, I wouldnt recomend watching it, it's too old for a modern audience. I also fell in love with Saiyuki, and I'm still a big fan of Kazuya Minekura's works. It's beautiful. However, my faveourite series might have to be Cafe Kichijouji, drawn by Kyoko Negishi! It's 3 volumes about these 5 random guys who work in a cafe and they get up to crazy crazy things. Chapters are self-contained stories and pretty much garuanteed to be hilarious :D I think it's based on a radio play, which was just as random.

Recently, I've been inspired by Japanese Gothic and Lolita fashion, which I found by the way of Mitsukaza Mihara's artwork. I really wish I could draw as detailed as she does! And even more recently, I've been delving into the world of American comics... wish me luck!