My Uncle, My Teacher

A few people have asked me how I got into drawing “seriously” in the first place.

We all started with a blank sheet of paper or coloring books and a bunch of colorful crayons, pens, and pencils. In fact, I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. But I didn’t really take it seriously until I spent my summer days with this guy:

This is my uncle, Albert Madarang happily eating a piece of waffle with loads of butter and syrup~ xD My sister and I took summer classes with him when I was about 8-years-old. We drew a bunch of Disney stuff back then, and I couldn’t control my pencil properly so my lines were always heavy, and erasing any mistakes made the table shake “like an earthquake” as my uncle would put it. xDDD

I really thought it was a one-time thing, but when I began watching Sailor Moon when I was 11, I took lessons again, this time with my nephew, because my sister was no longer interested.

I continued taking summer classes with him until I was 16. He patiently taught me anatomy, perspective, colors, and all the basic principles I still use in drawing today. :D We only stopped having summer classes because I entered college for formal training.

Lessons with him were the best summers of my life~ Which is why I continue to draw today and even took the same course as he did in Fine Arts: Advertising.

But the most important lesson he taught me?

“Put the drawing aside when you get frustrated. Rest when you’re tired… drawing should always be fun.”

So yeah, if you like my work, thank this guy~ He is the awesome-est~ ♥

Sword Update: The Blade

After burning my fingertips with hot glue, I was finally able to finish the blade part of Rei’s sword. ♥

It’s a bit broader than what I’d really like, but I I didn’t really make measurements when I was making this, so I guess I’ll chalk it up to experience. It’s become a lot heavier with all these layers or glue, paper, and board, so I’m a little worried…

I will probably never work with chip boards ever again. =_=;;; Illustration boards may be harder to work with, but the edges are smooth when you score it (cutting it halfway to fold it neatly). Plus, chip boards just don’t stay in place. You can’t see it in the photo, but the blade is a little twisted, making my OCD kick in.

I’m debating whether or not I have time to redo the blade or not. My brother says no one’s really going to look at this closely, and swords are never perfectly straight anyway. I actually took these photos are a sort of test, and it looks better than I thought, so I might just leave it to my nephew to hide the flaws with his painting. *u*;;; Besides, I should probably use whatever spare time I have left to make a sheath for this.

Ah well, 24 days left until the event. Wish me luck! ♥

Eri by Elmer Damaso

I remember saying that I wouldn’t buy a frame for this piece, but after spotting a 13 x 17 frame colored in the same shade as Eri’s hair at National Bookstore, I knew it would be too perfect to pass up.

With this, my entire wall of fame is in dire need of a fresh makeover. In other words, I’ll be shopping for more frames for my other pieces in the next few weeks. :3a This is going to be fun~ ♥

How I’m Making a “Real” Version of Rei’s Sword

As part of the huge Oh No! Manga event occurring later this month, I’ve decided to make a real life version of Rei’s sword in Karma.