Digital On-Location Sketching

The Samsung Galaxy Note smartphone is so far the only available mobile unit that has an active Wacom digitizer system with a pen stylus, and it was this feature that I got it with an unlimited data subscription. I've always imagined something like this would come out a decade ago. Creating pictures with it skips the paper process, and thereby you can share it instantly.

Although I still believe that creating art in traditional mediums cannot be replaced by the digital medium. Sketching on paper is a sort of instant print where mistakes can happen. Those mistakes has humbled me and kept me learning to doing it right the first try of whatever it is I'm sketching. In one of the sketching application I use on the Note, layers can be implemented, and of course erasures and "digital paper" are virtually unlimited. Not happy with the first try? You can easily switch to a bank sheet. Somehow, this is the trap you can find yourself in if you have not been working with sketching "on paper". Format is currently limited to a 3:4 or 3:5 ratio, and I can't do a long panoramic format that I've learned to love doing with a Japanese Fold sketchbook.

Here are some of my sketches using the Galaxy Note on mostly food, preferably when I eat alone since 10 minutes of waiting before eating what's in front of you is pretty long for a companion.

The Galaxy Note is about 1/4 of an A4 paper, and 10mm thick. It comes with a Wacom S Pen  that slides inside the  Galaxy Note. Here though, I managed to get the S Pen holder accessory which makes it weigh and feel like a full metal pen 

The discipline of just sketching fast without erasures (much) from the medium pen on paper has taught me to get it done fast the first time.

The S Memo default app for sketching come with simulated brush, pen, pencil and translucent marker tools, and you can adjust the sizes of the tips. You can also have virtually any color hue you can pick on its palette  

It helps that the Note has a hi-res 800 by 1280 screen pixel so that you can do finer sketches

The Wacom S Pen that comes with the Note has levels of sensitivity that translates for pen width variance just like a pencil. This makes it quite a likable natural tool.

Quezon Circle sketch walk has been moved.

IMPORTANT: The Quezon Circle sketch walk has been moved to a later date, please wait as we will post the announcement for this Saturday's (April 21, 2012) new venue soon. Sorry for the inconvenience and we hope you could still come with us this Saturday!

Power Plant at Rockwell Sketching this coming March 17(also 16th & 18th), and Lectures

Our sketching session for this month takes us to the Rockwell area, particularly at the Power Plant Mall. This is line with an invitation for us to show what is on-location sketching is all about at the Travel Bazaar hosted by the Rockwell marketing group. We have been given a booth at the big white tent (see the map) to stay and promote sketching when you travel trough an exhibit and demonstration/lecture. Here are the schedules for the 3 days there:

March 16 (Friday):

11am to 9pm - Booth exhibit and entertaining queries

3pm to 4 pm - On-Stage lecture on Sketching basics

March 17 (Saturday):

8am to 11am - REGULAR MONTHLY SKETCH WALK, meeting place at Starbucks Power Plant

8:30am - You find us at the riverside of Pasig river, refer to map

11am to 9pm - Booth exhibit and entertaining queries

1:30pm to 3:00pm - Lecture on Quick Watercolor Sketching Techniques

3pm to 4 pm - On-Stage lecture on Sketching basics

March 18 (Sunday):

11am to 9pm - Booth exhibit and entertaining queries

1:30pm to 3:00pm - More Lecture on Quick Watercolor Sketching Techniques

3pm to 4 pm - On-Stage lecture on Sketching basics

Please do bring your own sketching materials, and you are asked to spend a few hours with us and to show your sketches at our booth. This is a great opportunity for those having trouble with Saturdays and therefore have a chance to have impromptu sketches with us on Friday or Sunday. Janeil Arlegui will also be showing some watercolor techniques as per request of some of the members who are will to learn to control this medium.

A Two-Hour Classical Music Concert Last February 24 2012

Muffy sketches as daughter Ampao sleeps

4 members of Urban Sketchers Philippines had a chance to watch a mini limited-invitation classical concert. Invited American violin soloist, Michael Emery, American cello soloist, Ann Alton as well as our local conductor, Chino Toledo and piano soloist,  Cristine Coyiuto, backed up by the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra, played composed music from Beethoven, Hovhaness and Enescu. The concert ran for 2 hours, and we quite enjoyed the music while we sketched away.

USk-PH members Carlo and Janeil 

6-year-old Ampao Roxas was one of the sketchers that night

Ampao's interpretations are so honest!

We can always take a lesson on how a child sees things and people

Muffy, USk-PH member sketches on black paper

We got seats on the 2nd row

USk Philippines at the Art In The Park 2012

It was another memorable experience for the USk Philippines as they participated this year's Art In The Park held last February 18 at Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati City. It is organized by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines with the help of Barangay Bel Air, Security Bank, Go Pinoy Systems & Technologies Inc., ArtEdge Enterprises and SMART Communications. Proceeds from Art In The Park go to the foundation's programs that raise awareness and appreciation for the National Museum and its network.

The art affair was participated by more than forty exhibitors showcasing a treasure trove of works—paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs, etc—from artists that range from the established, and the emerging, to the new. Participants include, among others, Tin-Aw Art Gallery, Avellana Art Gallery, Art Verite, FEATI, and TutoK.  The National Museum has its own space, gave its staff the opportunity to show off their own artistic talents, too. Works by sculptor Leeroy New and surreal pieces from acclaimed Bacolod artist Charlie Co were also on exhibit. Artist Secret Fresh was also at the art fair, showcased and sell some limited-edition pieces by local artists.

USk Philippines is indeed fortunate that they were given a slot by the Museum Foundation. It was a nice turnout and a humbling experience; having sold some of the artworks by the urban sketchers was just a bonus; plus the appreciation and recognition we got from locals to foreigners to prominent and high profile people-- what was really good to know was that USk Phi was able to encourage many others to join and spread the awareness for the ARTS and "Show them the World, One Drawing at a Time."

More pics at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3254819247110.2157568.1165948020&type=3