my Eclectic Endeavours

I remember getting in trouble with teachers from time to time because I'd doodle/sketch during their lectures. Little did they know at the time that they had a nerd on their hands and eventually would stop harrassing me about sketching. Maybe this is how I learned to multi-task?

The classroom setting has morphed into a conference room setting and I still sketch. It's the only way I can stay awake to listen to the speaker. And yes, I still get the sense that they feel offended because I'm not staring at them. I AM listening, though. I do have sonic hearing. True story.

So, yesterday, my co-worker was so focused on the speaker that she didn't move for a while. Perfect! It's a rare thing for me to be able to draw someone outside of a Life Drawing course that won't move or use their 6th sense that they're being watched. lol Although, I think she caught on towards the end because she started to fidget. ;) When the meeting was over, I slid my book across the table to her and her reaction was priceless. "Wow! That's ME! Next time I should smile!" Ha! Ha! Ha!

While taking a work related training online (earbuds in an all), I re-sketched the image with a stylus onto my Sketch Club app for iPad. I absolutely love this app! It has 5 layers you can use with the option to load an image or color fill. It offers 10 different drawing tools. The brush feature alone offers 40 different brush strokes with the options to change size, spacing, opacity, flow, orientation, jitter, and velocity. Additionally, it comes with an eraser tool and an eye dropper tool. Currently, my favorite tool is called "Sketchy", which is how I drew the image above. The tones were done using the 1st brush option with various opacities. Once you're done or while  you work, the app allows you to save 12 images that you can still manipulate. Otherwise, there's the option to export to photos, e-mail or upload the image to Facebook in a flattened/merged format. Oh! And I scored 100 on my training exam! :D

**UPDATE: She asked me for the sketch and I gave it to her. :)

I purchased my first Moleskine® Sketchbook on one of my business travel adventures. I wasn't done using my regular ol' sketchbook so I postponed using it. While browsing online, I came across artwork by Moopf. The point is, this guy uses Uni Posca Markers which can not be found in the U.S.! These markers are filled with water-based paint and I figured they'd be great to travel with. The closest thing I found locally were the Sharpie Oil-Based Markers at the Office Depot. And so, I unwrapped my Moleskine and gave the markers a whirl.
The image above was the result of my Sharpie Paint experimentation. I found that like true oil paint, it takes time to dry before adding another layer. Each layer is opaque and so requires tons of layering! They DO give off a mild odor while working with them. I think I'd rather work with water-based paints to get a more solid color. Unfortunately I can't purchase them locally, either. I have to find the Sharpie water-based paint markers online.

The image below was taken with flash to show how shiny the result is.