This channel is primarily my art activities and tutorials for sketching beginners. Occasionally, I interview seasoned sketchers for their insights and tips on sketching as well as their approach to the craft. I am hoping to help beginners to smash more sketches out of the park! I will focus on Materials, informal Membership of art groups, Mind, developing Motivation and finally looking at processes or building sketching Muscles. When I travel for leisure, I might also pop in those short travel videos here as well... hope you enjoy my meandering... :)
What super drawings in your sketchbook. I don't know if you are aware of the Hercule Poirot detective stories by Agatha Christie, (he's beautifully acted by David Suchet). Your boat trip reminds me of one of the stories where a select group are travelling on such a vessel. ("Problem at Sea"). Very elegant and evocative of the era. There is of course, a murder, but I'm sure your trip shall pass more peacefully 😄
Joy! That's what I see in all three sketches. I like all three a lot and am glad you had a reason to do each one. Following you in your travels is so much fun! I sit here in my corner and now understand the phrase armchair traveler. Whoosh! Off he goes again!
Haha! This will be the last trip for 2024… I have to anchor down and work on my new business ventures, cannot be gallivanting around while trying to start some new business 😆! I am very appreciative of your support as always!!
I loved when you laughed explaining the stress of having to do a decent job! I love all of your work and am sure you did more than a decent job, but your laughter keeps you real and lovable.
I like public figure sketching. I have a book on the subject and copied many of the sketches. 5 Minute Sketching People by Scully I think it is. I don't do it in public though. In fact I haven't sketched in ages.
I've been to a few AsiaLink Sketchwalks, Kuching, Taichung and Hanoi. I couldn't make the Penang event, but some of my Australian sketch friends will be there from Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Enjoy, I look forward to following the even with you.
Sunday morning with Whee Teck guarantees a time of peace and joy. "Artists should not go hungry" struck me immediately and caused me laughter, since I have begun practicing intermittent fasting and changing what I choose to eat. This artist needs to go hungry for a bit until she has better self-control! LOL! I'm weeks behind in creating art but, knowing myself as I do, I will make up for it when I begin again. Following you not on educates me, but keeps me mindful, so I won't leave creating behind.
Ah so nice to hear from you! We are given FREE “Get Out Of Jail Cards” from above… use it whenever we are in creative ruts 😂 but no stress, not even making art…
@@WheeTeck, I continue to get an error message. I can explore Pexels...I just can't get to the links you posted. I'm curious to see if anyone else has this problem.
U r wrong and the comments are not helpful either. URA is going to leave the mural alone. This is a wrong decision for the following reasons. 1. The depiction of the Samsui woman is most inappropriate. True, most of them smoke but that’s not what they are most known for. They are most known for their hard work in construction. This was shown in a TV serial which ended recently. Many buildings in Singapore, especially those older ones, bear the evidence of their labor. It is most insensitive to depict them as a smoker, health risk message aside. Why not show them as hardworking construction workers. For example, one balancing two baskets full of building material on a pole over her shoulder? This would have paid homage to their contributions to the building up of Singapore and their place in Singapore’s history. 2. Why use an American artist? How much does an American know about Samsui women? A local Chinese artist would be better suited for the work. 3. Now we know that the mural was done without approval from relevant authority, URA. This should not be passed just because it has been done. It would set a wrong precedent. In future, people will draw public murals or complete a construction without official approval in the belief that once it’s done, it will not be taken down. 4. Indian male laborers also have a place in Singapore's construction history. They are known for their drinking habits too. Would a mural of an Indian laborer consuming alcohol be appropriate? The right thing to do now is to white wash the mural, allow the building owner to apply for another one, this time with a copy of the mural on paper. This one should pay proper tribute to the hard work of the Samsui women in building up Singapore.
Thanks for you comments, I welcome the challenge. I think URA finally did the right thing to leave it alone. I think I am right for these reasons: 1) While I agree the cigarette element in the mural might be seen as inappropriate, it's important to remember that Samsui women were also known for smoking (and we agree on this). Yes, that shouldn't be their defining characteristic. They were, after all, celebrated for their incredible contributions as construction workers, which is how they're portrayed in most media (almost 99%). But, is it insensitive to show them in any other way than carrying heavy loads? Does art have to be limited to such a narrow image? Limiting their portrayal in this way feels restrictive and controlling, almost like something out of a dystopian novel. We shouldn't shy away from learning about history through art, but art can also be about looking forward and sparking creativity, a skill we definitely need now. History is important, but so is creative expression. Therefore, I don't believe your first point holds much weight. 2) That's an interesting point, but I actually think it raises a broader issue. If we limit artists to depicting only cultures they share an ethnicity with, it creates a closed system. Imagine the flip side: Western critics dismissing Singaporean artists because they're not Western. That's exactly the kind of racial bias we should be moving away from. Great art can transcend cultural background. The artist's ability to capture the essence of the subject, their skill and vision, are far more important than their ethnicity. Therefore, we should not use this point at all. 3) You raise a good point about obtaining proper approval. URA absolutely has a responsibility to ensure public art meets certain standards. However, I think their communication could have been handled better. Focusing solely on the unapproved nature of the mural, without mentioning the anonymous complaint, might have led to a more productive discussion with the artist and landlord. As for setting a precedent, it's important to remember Singapore's commitment to racial and religious harmony. Art that disrupts this will likely be removed regardless, precedent or not. However, well-meaning art that sparks public debate can be a positive thing. Perhaps a clearer approval process, combined with open communication, could avoid situations like this in the future. Ultimately, we want to encourage public art while maintaining Singapore's core values. 4) You're absolutely right that Indian laborers played a vital role in Singapore's construction history, and their contributions deserve recognition. It's also true that some laborers enjoyed drinking after work. However, the question of portraying alcohol consumption in art is a bit more nuanced. While shying away from reality altogether isn't ideal, art can also be sensitive to potential social messages. A mural depicting laborers enjoying a drink after a hard day's work could be a celebration of their camaraderie. However, it's important to consider the portrayal as well. Does it glorify excessive drinking? Does it reinforce stereotypes? Context is key. Open discussion about these complexities is what allows art to spark meaningful conversations. Ultimately, the appropriateness of such a mural would depend on the specific execution and the message it conveys. Ultimately, I believe art should be allowed to be art, within the reasonable boundaries established to maintain Singapore's racial and religious harmony. These boundaries are essential, but they shouldn't stifle creative expression. In the case of Sean's mural, I don't see any disrespect towards the Samsui women. Instead, it sparked a valuable conversation about how we portray historical figures. This is exactly what art can do at its best: challenge perspectives and make us think critically. Let's encourage more thought-provoking art that pushes boundaries in a healthy way, sparking public discussion and debate. Moving forward, as we mature as a society, we assume not that Singaporean are simpletons, we can have more edgy art that challenges our assumptions, make us critical thinkers, I think will foster a more vibrant artistic landscape in Singapore, which leads us to a better place.
Where do you find sumsui women smoke filter cigarrete. Can they afford. For all we know they probably go to the coffee shop to take the used tea leaves and dried it, roll the the tea leaves in a small pc of paper and smoke. The devil is in the way she looks and hold the cigarrete.
I find it disturbing that the opium war is white washed and most SG kids have never heard of it, not even in our schools. Whereas in HK there's a whole museum telling about this uncomfortable part of history.
Uncomfortable conversations are very necessary for people who are at odds with one another to gain insight into one another's point of view. I see art as an expression of individual views and values. I don't like all that I see, but I do believe in freedom of expression. It's that freedom that makes art what it is.
Play! Always! My inner child is 5 years old. I call my genre Refrigerator Art. "Look what I made!" Following you causes me joy, Whee Teck. I'll be watching this video again so I can hit pause and read all you have written. I'm thrilled that you are being true to yourself and continuing to follow your own path!
What a wonderful video! From the beginning, I thought if I were to paint this same scene it would turn to mud. I am fascinated by the speed with which you can create. I am reminded of an orchestra's conductor waving his baton. The hint about using a fountain pen dipped in paint is awesome. I will be using that idea. "Do as I say, not as I do!" I'm still laughing over that! Joy! That's what the experience is all about. I have to be careful because listening to you as you paint is as joyful as painting itself! I could get lazy and simply watch your videos without ever picking up a brush!
Thank you for this video! It was so calming and beautiful. How did you do the overhead positioning for recording art tutorials? I was thinking of buying an overhead table stand for whichever camera I buy (still undecided between this and the sony zv e10) but it looks like you are achieving this with the gimbal/stand that comes with the creator’s kit? If so, would you mind sharing how you positioned the camera to achieve the overhead view (how you bent the stand to accomplish this)?
The word art means creative freedom to me. I'm the only one who has to like what I do for me to call it art. That took me 75 years to sort out. (I'm bright, but rather thick...hee hee) I could spend all of my time listening to what you have to say in your videos. I keep smiling and nodding my head "Yes!"
If I have a wand I will tap you with to increase your superpower so that you can spread even more joy to others! (I think prayer might do the same…) Haha…
Major change. It's good that you have the opportunity to step away from everyday activity to reset. Being upgraded to a suite surely helps! I hope events occur that zap you with joy!
Great to see your video today. I've just had major knee surgery so it's lovely to have the familiarity of your videos combined with the vicarious pleasure of your travels. Since you introduced me to haiku I've come to think that you have a flair for them. What also intrigues me is the concept of haiku sketching. Economy of line. I feel as though if there were slight guidelines for haiku sketching, they might show me a way into a style of drawing I might explore... Any thoughts on this? 😊🙏
Hey. Sorry for the silence been recording from vacation fatigue!! I know that’s not a nice to say when it’s such privilege to be able to go away. Was in Bangkok then Vietnam… so now back!! Yes each of us need to find our own voice, sketching and writing to different. I think of simple strong lines whenever I sketch. That’s how I like them, but it’s not everyone’s style… so should find your own style!