tethered balloon

I've been playing with an image in my mind and trying to solidify it.  It's harder to find the look I want when not working from reference images.  Here are the steps so far:

Rough Layout

Blocking Out Some Color... but I didn't like it.

Refining the shapes and silhouette.  Make it more whimsical!

That's all for tonight.  Will continue this later.

shu qi sketch

I'm bursting with artist energy right now so I felt the need to do another sketch.  So here's a quick exercise in color blocking.

Here's the original source image:

suit sketch

Lately I've been thinking about how sexy a well-fitted suit can be, and the nice silhouettes that can come from it.  Then, coincidentally, I saw a commercial for the White Collar series boasting of their fans gushing over the Neal Caffrey character (who always seems to be dressed to the T in 3 piece suits).

I'll have to admit, he does wear it well.  And it made for a great study in suits.  Here's sketch inspired by Neal.  In a suit.

sketch stretch

I dusted off the tablet to stretch my sketching muscles, which have atrophied a bit.  Here's a quick sketch for Project Apricot while I've been feeling inspired recently.

One of the main characters with a broad sword.

I'm feeling a bit rusty, but still very happy to be doing this again.  Sketching always fills me with nostalgia, excitement and great hope for the future.

Nyan nyan nyan nyan...

I usually don't get dressed up for Halloween, but I couldn't help myself this year!  I made myself Nyan Cat costume from scratch.

For the uninitiated, here's the source material:

I made a hoodie from scratch (the thought to just buy a sweatshirt as the base didn't occur to me until after I already started sewing).

It turned out okay :)  Michael made the poptart for me and then I tacked on a rainbow.

New plants!

I'm not good with plants.  And I am downright awful at taking care of orchids, which is a horrible shame because I absolutely love them.  Within the last 4 years (just since I've moved to the Bay Area), I can count either 6 or 7 orchids that have died in my care.

They've died from being overwatered (which leads to mold), and underwatered (I had kept them at work, and the air is particularly dry).

Let's have a moment of silence for the last orchid that didn't survive.  It came from the San Mateo farmers market. 

I brought home 2 mini orchids from Trader Joe's.  I promise to try harder this time, little orchids. 

Just for good record keeping, here are the care instructions:

Phalaenopsis Care

Temperature 70-90 degrees day; 60-70 degrees night

Water every 2-3 weeks, keep evenly moist

avoid wet foliage, best to water in the morning

Fertilize 1-2 times per month, less in winder

Light moderate indirect light

I also picked up a basil plant.  Only $3 at Trader Joe's, which is comparable to one pack of basil.  This one should be easier to take care of it.

frozen macarons from Trader Joe's

I've noticed frozen macarons available lately at both Costco and Trader Joe's.  Given the time and energy I've spent learning the fine art of macaron-ing lately, I'm partly appalled at the idea of assembly line, mass-produced macarons, partly bummed that my skills may now be obsolete, and partly surprised at how cheap they are.  (about $4 for a pack of 12 at Trader Joe's).

Trader Joe's offers 6 vanilla's and 6 chocolates, so it still lacks the more interesting flavors.

If these frozen macarons are any good, it could replace this whole set of supplies.

I just tried one of each.  The vanilla has pretty good flavor, but was way too mushy.  The chocolate had a much chewier texture and was closer to what I've made before and was pretty good (especially good if you like dark chocolate).

In conclusion, these are pretty decent.  They are easily better than the Miette macarons I've had.  (Note that they're also stored properly so that the macarons don't crush either.  Something that Miette hasn't seemed to learn yet.)