(Originally written on Monday 26 March, 2012)
Monday. I have a week off, It’s my first day off work, and I finally have time to do some flash. I’ve drawn this flash sheet over the weekend and I can’t wait to color it in with my watercolor pencils. One day if I’m good enough I’ll use real watercolor, but not now. Baby steps.
Quite pleased with the overall result. I had to put white gouache over some highlights because I accidentally painted over them. Boo. Mistakes in watercolor are hard to fix. I hope later on my human canvasses won’t kill me if I screw up and color something wrong.
By the way, this flash painting is dedicated to my friend Jen. Get well soon!
(Originally written on Tuesday 27 March, 2012)
I texted Eddy in the morning and he said we’re set to start on Tuesday, April 3. It’s only a week from now! Why Tuesday? The shop is closed on Mondays.
I spend the afternoon drawing this Taylor Swift flash painting. Here’s an insight to my sorry-ass process. First, I traced a rough outline. This is how I trace. Somebody buy me a lightbox!
The sketch in progress. The rose is nice but it ended up too huge…
That rose, I traced it off and plan to do it as a separate painting.
Alas, just before I’m about to continue with the original drawing, Dayan called and asked me out for a movie night. Alright. That’s enough drawings for today!
(Originally written on Wednesday 28 March, 2012)
Not much progress on drawings, but I went to Binus area to a friend’s friend house and almost bought this Chinese machine secondhand. He’s selling it real cheap, wanted to upgrade to a better machine. Almost. I ultimately decided not to buy it because as cheap as it is, it would be better if I buy my first machine first-hand. Also here’s all the advice I got from my tattooer friends when I told them I’m shopping around for a machine:
“Nothing good will come out of buying Chinese machines”, “Don’t make the same mistake I’ve done, get a good first machine!”
“I used to have a Chinese machine. I only use it to take it apart and to learn about setting up, then after I got my first proper machine, I threw it away. ” – to that I instinctively replied “Nooo, give it to me instead!”, haha.
The thought of buying a cheap machine just to practice setting up and taking it apart is interesting, but ultimately I decided it’s worth the wait to buy a better machine, and learn using the machines in the shop instead.
(Originally written on Thursday 29 March, 2012)
No progress on drawings either for today, too busy with visiting Nana’s newborn baby (yay, congrats!), getting my taxes done (finally!), and going to H2000 for the first time. Such an obscure but very interesting place where you can get just about anything tattoo and piercing related.
I didn’t go home with a new machine – I got some 14mm stainless steel tunnels instead. Happy ears.
Friday, 30 March, to Sunday, 1 April 2012:
I didn’t do any drawings because I’m busy with a lot of freelance work. Ha. My bad. I did collect some awesome inspirations from European folk art, though. Until today I’ve never even heard of Kurbits (Swedish folk painting style) or Suzani (textiles from Uzbekistan). Now I can’t stop imagining how awesome those styles will look in tattoo art.
Monday, 2 April 2012.
I went to work for my farewell day. Actually it’s farewell day for 5 of us, as there’s a lot of my co-workers who happened to be resigning from the office at the same time. It’s a great farewell day filled with lots of laughter and no parting tears – just the way I like it!
While waiting at the office, I drew this trio of dotwork animals. It’s obvious I was inspired by paisley art, henna, and folk art styles. I can’t help it!
They’re unfinished, but I love how they look already. I can’t wait to learn dotwork tattooing, but as always, first things first!
So excited for tomorrow, when I officially become an apprentice. Anything could happen now, all I can do is try my best and learn all I can.
amelstrange 
The bird in the last picture is so beautifulllllllll!!! ❤
Good luck on your new career! I have great appreciation to the people who have great courage to resign from advertising, like you and Angie.
Thank youuu *hugs*
Whew… I still can’t believe I’m leaving advertising either… (though maybe just temporarily) I’m still in the loop though, not completely out of the industry.. being a freelance designer/illustrator/art director. It pays for living cost and the cost of the apprenticeship itself 🙂
Whoaa!! First day today!! Congrats Mel, and good luck! The dotworks look great! Maybe my next ink should be done by you? I’ll give you time to learn first – hahaha as I’m also still thinking about if and what I should get more ink 😉
Also, aren’t Suzanis great!!? There’s actually traditional Dayak textile with similar pattern and weaving technique.
Sure! I’ll tattoo you! Well.. it will be a few months before I can tattoo proper, let’s hope I’m a fast learner! Doing art on skin is a lot different compared to paper, they say!
Now that you’ve mentioned it, Suzani does look like Indonesian (woven) traditional textiles. How interesting!
Oh my goodness I love your paisley like bird tattoo. Could I use this for my next tattoo? I’m not sure how this works…are you allowed to take in designs from someone else and use it? Thanks for any help…I love it!!!!
Thank you! Sure, go ahead and get it tattooed! I’d really love to see my artwork as real tattoos. As far as I know, generally you can use anyone’s design as a tattoo artwork as long as you asked the artist for permission 🙂