CHEN YALI

Something is changing 

There are only 6 artist left before this project end. And Actually I can see some changes that I wasn’t aware of while I was drawing them. 

Compare to the very beginning of the drawings, the latest ones are getting a bit more out of hand; lots of narrative of the shadows, winkles and hair. 

I am drawing from the second hand information which are the old photographs from Pinterest and books. So maybe the composition of the photograph has a big impact on how I approach the drawing without noticing it. 

Second hand information has great impact on my drawing

In the recent day I have some struggling of whether or not if I want to carry on with this project, and another reason is that I posted out my drawing on social media and if the Likes are not as much as I was expecting then it’s kind of create this self-doubting spiral.    

Social media is for self marketing and also for self doubting 

There are many things I likes and I don’t like after this couple weeks

I like: Produce something daily, learn how to describe the faces with shading, take a closer look of the artist. 

Really can’t wait any longer without creating anything.

Having a lots of thoughts is a good thing but it’s nothing if those thoughts only stay as thoughts.

This Year I hope it’s a year of production. I think every creative will related to this fear towards our own work; the fear of not good enough and reach perfection. However, I found this sort of thoughts is stopping me from making things and I want to change this. The first step I took is to acknowledge that my work is indeed not good enough, but then I learn from it, analyze and document it as I am my own experiment subject. Then carry on.

So here it is the first project I want to do the fist month of 2018. Drawing 30 portrait of the great artists that I admire. Without thinking too much I have started the project 16th of December last year.

It has to be tangible with sort of framework and full of fun!

Brief: 30 Artist, Designers, Exemplars portraits.

Deadline: 20th _ January _ 2018

Colour: Mono

Media: Pencil, ink, brush, milk pen, graphite.

Aim: Practice drawing, and mind.

I try to stick to mono chrome and only spend thirty minutes on each drawing to see if it works better under some limitation.

Today is actually the day I reach half of the number, and it should be a good time to document the process and thoughts I have so far.

See the on going drawing please visit my Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/chenyaliillustration/

Discovery and thoughts

Since I am using pencil to perform most of the time, I found myself holding the pencil with different position to get different stroke, shape, texture on the paper. 

The subject I am drawing is a stranger but not a stranger at the same time, the relation is I know them and they don’t know me. 

While I am drawing their faces, I also wonder how’s their life been, and think about all the information or story I know about them. And maybe subconsciously, I also project them on myself to become the pros like them. Just like they are actually encouraging me not to give up. 

 It’s really hard to overhear the inner judgemental voice and the way I fight agains it is to post it out on my Instagram and keep drawing the next day. 

 In order to have a bit more fun in the result, I need to add a bit thoughts on contrast, depth, composition. 

And I want to add black colour pencil and crayons into the next 15 drawings.  

I had some good time and bed time while creating, drawing has been a very intuitive to me. So sometimes I like some results over then others. And it very good now I found one of my problem is unsteady.  

Haven’t been to TM since they lunched the new Swing installation. Finally make it today with a sunny winter Tuesday.

Today, basically, is about looking how different artists use visual language. There is a wide collection of the art they display right now at the free exhibition floor.

There are too many work, painting, sculptures, installations, video, posters, and photography. And different themes like social issue, war, human rights, politics tension, sex, and racial. I need some focus or I won’t be able to walk out Tate today. So in the end I only take notes on the artists and work that articulate in basic visual languages.

Line, shape, colour, perspective, and composition.

Before when I went to do some study in the museum, I often find myself struggling to take notes, photo taking and at the same time caring my bags. Then often spend too much of time to match the pictures, info and notes together afterwards.

I was using iPad Pro to help me, I took the picture of the subject and then put down the note together with the app call Paper.

They recently have updated their interface and I’m lovin it.

Here are so me screen shots of how I do it.

“Good customer”

After dinning out some Good Customers will try their best to not to pay the full bill! 

‘I don’t have the best experience’ or

‘I have high expectations but it turns out…’

My second attempt for the style of this project

And also my fist time do textured vector illustration on AI

Lots of fun, but I think I have to go back study a bit of technical work, such as 

Different ways to adding texture in AI

Draw vector shape 

Composition

“Good customer” 

After dinning out some Good Customers will try their best to not to pay the full bill!

‘I don’t have the best experience’ or 

I have several experiences working in front of house, it’s time to do some documentation.

How to piss off your waiter

Raise hands to get the attention or shot out WAITER

Take/Put plat of food from the tray

Don’t listen

Cancel the order

Ask for free food

Take a whole hour to order

Come in to the restaurant 15 minutes before they close

Complain just to complain

Free their kids

Steps

Quick sketch

Scan into computer

Vectoring in AI

Texturing in PS

Start: 15/ Dec: Sketch

Deadline: 16/Dec: Vector

Time is slipping away before I even notice, and I want to make each moment meaningful. 

I want to document the following 10 daily routines, and challenge myself to fulfill it at lease 30 days. And evaluate the result or any changes weekly. Start today 15th of December.

Wake up at 6:30 am. Go to bed before 12a.m.

Running for 30 minutes, and meditate.10 minutes.

Self study with The Futur video, Skillshare, and books reading.40-60 minutes.

Free creating: Drawing, collaging, sketching. 30 minutes.

Daily inspiration hunting: Pinterest, Behance, Dribble and Medium. 30 minutes.

Net working, reaching out, by using LinkedIn, Dribble and other social group. 30 minutes.

Design job hunting. 2 hours.

Freelance work: illustration, design. 3-4 hours.

Self project: business growing, personal project. 1 hour.

Reflecting and blogging of the process. 30 mins

“If I can do it now, do it”

If start routine 3. at 8.30 a.m. the routines totally takes up 9.5 hour. Lunch break for 30 minutes. then I will finish work around 19 p.m. Monday to Friday.

It’s not easy but I am gonna give it a go by starting this blog