“Bountiful Garden” (#365: Project 365 Sketches)

“Bountiful Garden” (#365: Project 365 Sketches)

2013, Tue 31 Dec. Three hundred and sixty-four days ago, I remember telling myself that attempting this personal project was like tackling a 2.4km run round a track. The first few rounds would be easy. At some point there would be the inevitable mental hump; what was the point of running round and round the track when there were other things to be done at home and work? But experience also suggests that if I just chugged along, the inevitable end point will come.

What I did not expect was to find friends — familiar and new — along this little jog round the track. Thank you for your company this past year. Your cheers and friendly waves from the sidelines have made my run less tiring.

Three hundred and sixty-four days ago, my first sketch was of a lonely tree on a lonely island. In reaching the end with you, I found that the end point is a quiet and bountiful garden.

[Sketch Club app; iPhone. #365sketches #SGmemory CC-BY-SA]

“Waiting for the Satay man” (#364: Project 365 Sketches)

“Waiting for the Satay man” (#364: Project 365 Sketches)

2013, Mon 30 Dec. He was with me, waiting for our Satay order. The stall was doing brisk business. He closed his eyes occasionally, amidst the lively and noisy hawker centre. I occupied myself by sketching him.

[Sketch Club app; iPhone. #365sketches #SGmemory CC-BY-SA]

“Flower blossom” (#363: Project 365 Sketches)

“Flower blossom” (#363: Project 365 Sketches)

2013, Sun 29 Dec. This sketch was inspired by an actual tattoo on my colleague, and her story: Dance was the passion of her youth. But such dreams were aside in the interest of marriage, children and family. Decades went by. Kids all grown up. Her husband passed on. She, a widow, had become a distinguished woman in her field of work. Getting a tattoo was never on her mind but one day, she walked past a tattoo shop. For reasons not entirely clear to her, she walked in. The tattoo artist was perhaps surprised, for he seldom had matronly women as his clients. But she wasn’t merely curious. Today, she bears her tattoo proudly. It seems one’s passion has a way of manifesting itself. Her name, in the language of her ancestors, means ‘Flower’.

[Sketch Club app; iPhone. #365sketches #SGmemory CC-BY-SA]

“Eggs, toast and tea” (#362: Project 365 Sketches)

“Eggs, toast and tea” (#362: Project 365 Sketches)

2013, Sat 28 Dec. I had the same thing as this gentleman — soft-boiled eggs, Kaya on toast and a cup of milk tea. One of those simple meals that have persisted through the years. The price has increased by about 200% in the last 20 plus years, I think.

[Sketch Club app; iPhone. #365sketches #SGmemory CC-BY-SA]

“Kid with big eyes” (#361: Project 365 Sketches)

“Kid with big eyes” (#361: Project 365 Sketches)

2013, Fri 27 Dec. He was a Chinese boy but somehow I’ve sketched him to look like an African-American kid. Anyway he had nice big eyes. I was wondering why he was travelling alone. He was sitting quietly and the adults next to him did not look like they knew him. Then I realised his mother was on the opposite row of seats.

[Sketch Club app; iPhone. #365sketches #SGmemory CC-BY-SA]

“Teen in black” (#360: Project 365 Sketches)

“Teen in black” (#360: Project 365 Sketches)

2013, Thurs 26 Dec. She looked like she was going to her vacation job, somewhere in town. Could be a waitressing gig. Five more days to the close of 2013. Soon for her, it would be back to school. What will it be for you?

[Sketch Club app; iPhone. #365sketches #SGmemory CC-BY-SA]

“In the bus” (#359: Project 365 Sketches)

“In the bus” (#359: Project 365 Sketches)

2013, Wed 25 Dec. The day was winding down. There we were, strangers in a shared space, waiting to be delivered to our destinations, with a slow burning sun in the distance.

[Sketch Club app; iPhone. #365sketches #SGmemory CC-BY-SA]

“Arctic foxes out to play” (#358: Project 365 Sketches)

“Arctic foxes out to play” (#358: Project 365 Sketches)

2013, Tue 24 Dec. These cartoon arctic fox characters were created for this animated clip (http://vimeo.com/82561139) From reference pictures of arctic foxes, I noted their distinguishing features like their ears, head shape, bushy tail and of course the white fluffy fur. I think I must have been unconsciously influenced by William Watterson’s renderings of Calvin and Hobbes. I hope you’ve checked out that 30sec animated short, and that it brought you a chuckle. I’ve newfound respect for animators. Today’s Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas, one and all.

[Sketch Club app; iPhone. #365sketches #SGmemory CC-BY-SA]

“Lean on me II” (#357: Project 365 Sketches)

“Lean on me II” (#357: Project 365 Sketches)

2013, Mon 23 Dec. I realised Sketch #122 (May 2nd) had the same title. I’m running out of titles, heh. He was a leaner. Would anyone shatter the safety glass panel by accident? I’ve never heard it happen in all these years that I’ve been taking the train. If an incident did happen before, it would have been before the advent of social networking sites and ubiquitous mobile phone networks. Or else I would have seen it among my Facebook news feed. This sketch was rendered in monotones cos I’ve been busy with another project (will be revealed tomorrow!) and only had time to render this like so.

[Sketch Club app; iPhone. #365sketches #SGmemory CC-BY-SA]

“Grizzly high-five” (#356: Project 365 Sketches)

“Grizzly high-five” (#356: Project 365 Sketches)

2013, Sun 22 Dec. Happened to catch a NatGeo documentary about grizzly bears. So I thought I’d try a quick sketch. This was done in a rough sketchy style. Wanted that grizzled look. The bear looks like it’s high-fiving. My excuse is that this is a Sci-fi themed sketch. The bears are intelligent and walk upright.

[Sketch Club app; iPhone. #365sketches #SGmemory CC-BY-SA]