Illustrations & Doodles

Motherhood & Sabbatical

2010-12-07T11:06:00.005+08:00

Hello there. Thank you for visiting my blog or website. I hope you've enjoyed looking through my work. After a time of consideration, I've decided to take a break from illustration work for awhile. The length of my sabbatical is undecided, but for the time being, I will be busy with providing TLC to my baby girl. Somethings have to give and although I often feel torn for placing my career and portfolio on hold, it is not the priority now. I have decided to live in the present with my 5 month old "present", Elizabeth. I'm certain this sabbatical will deeply enrich me as a person, benefit the development of a child and hopefully open new perspectives for me as an illustrator and art educator. I will not be taking on projects for now, but if you'd like to discuss art or just chat, I would be most happy to welcome your emails. :) Do check in from time to time, I might update from my sketchbook. Warmest, Amanda

A Family Caricature

2010-07-09T11:04:00.002+08:00

The client wanted a garden theme for her son's 1st birthday caricature... This will be my last post for at least 2 months to come as I prepare to go into labor for my 1st child. It's been quite energy sapping being pregnant and I do hope that when I do settle into mummyhood, things would get better and I'd be able to take on more illustration jobs and to complete the children's book I've been working and holding on to. Wish me luck as I patiently wait out my contractions... :)

Sept-Nov's Mother and Baby illos

2010-07-09T11:01:00.000+08:00

September's

October's

November's

Mother & Baby | June & August

2010-05-12T16:46:00.002+08:00

Above is the illo for the June issue...

And this which was just accepted yesterday is for the August issue... :)

Watercolor

2010-04-06T17:56:00.003+08:00

It's been quite awhile since I worked in ink & watercolor. I miss the medium, the feel of the brush against the paper, the sometimes unpredictable flow of colors and the little happy accidents that happen. This is for a children's book project I've held onto for so long. And it's time to get it moving!

May & July

2010-04-06T17:50:00.001+08:00

Above are illos for May & July's issue of Mother & Baby mag.

April's Mother & Baby

2010-03-09T11:10:00.001+08:00

For April's Mother & Baby Magazine's article. You can guess Amelie to be quite a terror!

Life Figure Drawing Studies

2010-02-19T12:18:00.003+08:00

These 3 above are quick 5 minute poses.

These 2 poses were drawn over 40 mins. Whilst spring cleaning, I decided to finally take photos of these drawings before I chucked them aside till another necessary round of spring cleaning. The drawings are about A2 size and were drawn whilst I was teaching at Nanyang Polytechnic's figure drawing class which ended in Feb. To digress, I think my camera needs servicing... there are faint spots on my photos. Ahh... the humidity of Singapore!

Ramayana Revisited: A Tale of Love & Adventure

2010-01-22T13:16:00.004+08:00

These characters were designed to be used in conjunction with the exhibition 0n Ramayana, exhibiting at the Peranakan Museum. From left to right: Valmiki, Hanuman, Laksmana, Rama, Lava & Kusha, Sita and Ravanna.

Mother & Baby

2010-01-22T12:58:00.000+08:00

For Feb's issue of M&B.

Mother & Baby

2009-12-22T13:14:00.003+08:00

For March 2010's issue of Mother and Baby Magazine.

Baby Care Festival

2009-11-26T17:09:00.006+08:00

Illustration for 2010's Baby Care Festival for Mediacorp. Updated May 2010: The illo appeared on the Mother & Baby magazine and was used enlarged at the Festival held at the Singapore Expo.

Mother & Baby - Jan 2010

2009-11-20T18:50:00.002+08:00

Just completed this illustration for Mother and Baby magazine's "Accidental Mum" column - January 2010 issue.

HDB Posters

2009-11-12T14:15:00.008+08:00

I just finished working on the above 3 posters for Housing Development Board (HDB) last night. Besides illustration, I also did the layout for them. For the illustrations, they requested something simple, so I went with a little of a paper-cut style. Towards the last few days of the job, I realised how much I didn't enjoy the graphic design process especially on a rushed deadline with lots of changes both minor and major. Well, I'm just happy to be an illustrator! :) The posters can be seen: 15 Nov 09 (Sun) -West Coast Community Centre 2 Clementi West Street 2, 22 Nov 09 (Sun) - Leng Kee Community Centre 400 Lengkok Bahru, 29 Nov (Sun) - Anchorvale Community Club 59 Anchorvale Road

Dec's Illustration

2009-10-27T18:56:00.001+08:00

This is December's illustration for Mother and Baby magazine's "Accidental Mum" column.

Phnom Penh: 23rd-25th October

2009-10-27T18:38:00.004+08:00

Phnom Penh has proved to me wrong this round - that it has a heart. My visit 3 years ago left me with cold memories of a distant personal tour guide and the horrific Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. This round, it touched me after visiting The Methodist School of Cambodia and the COSImmanuel Orphanage, witnessing the love and work of the Singaporean and Malaysian missionaries, giving of their years and lives selflessly. The cool fresh rain over the paddy fields, smiling faces of the little children, etched in my memory - are priceless.

Malacca: 16-18th October

2009-10-27T09:36:00.002+08:00

HY and I were having lunch at Cafe 1511 (hope I didn't get the numbers wrong!) and they had 3 watercolor paintings that I couldn't stop looking at! I just had to photograph and share them here. :p

My little Malacca photo montage. I should really do one for my previous trips to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. However, let bygones be bygones... :) Hoping to update one on Phnom Penh as soon as I find another slot of time!

Travels - Malacca & Phnom Penh

2009-10-26T23:51:00.002+08:00

Po Chen Tong International Airport at Phnom Penh. Our flight was delayed for 40mins.

The page on the left was sketched at The Methodist school of Cambodia (MSC). And the facing page is the attached bathroom in our room.

I've been on the road to Malacca and Phnom Penh for the past two weekends. Malacca was supposed to be a relaxed trip, with peranakan food, shop houses and lots of walking. I do wish it was cooler, how much more pleasant it would have been! In Phnom Penh, we discussed the possibility of setting up a 1st Boys' Brigade Company for Cambodia in MSC. One of the things I will remember in time to come will probably be the visit to the COSImmanuel Orphanage in Phnom Penh's outskirts, surrounded by nature and rice paddy fields. How fortunate we are to be Singaporeans.

Ecards

2009-10-10T15:03:00.003+08:00

Once again, I've created some ecards for www.greetings.com.sg. They should be up soon before Christmas. I enjoy working for them because I'm allowed to surprise them with designs I come up with. Check out the other cards on their site! (Not all are created by me). Visit my site at http://www.amanda-illustrates.com/Ecards.php to see what I've done for them to-date.

Caricatures for ITE

2009-10-10T14:48:00.006+08:00

I've just completed a job for ITE - Institute of Technical Education. The page on top features caricatures of the staff writers for their "Moving On" newsletter and above, are the caricatures of the students in their various strengths. This job reminded me of the time I worked as a caricaturist at San Francisco's Zoo! But that time, I had to brave the cold winds in the open, was paid peanuts and almost had to sue the caricature company for trying to default on my pay (miserable as it already was!) I got paid eventually... but not after some threats. :)

Need to poo poo

2009-10-10T14:19:00.003+08:00

This illustration is for Mother and Baby (Mediacorp) Magazine's November issue. Look out for it in "The Accidental Mum" column.

Illustrated Book as a Wedding Gift

2009-09-26T12:18:00.005+08:00

Some illustrated pages of a book for an acquaintance who wanted to present it to her husband as a wedding gift. The book was to capture their shared experiences and aspirations. The story was completely her own and although the turn around time was tight, I had fun illustrating it.

People

2009-09-09T14:24:00.001+08:00

Observations of passengers during my long commute on the MRT.

Fishing Logo

2009-08-28T11:07:00.004+08:00

Recently did an illustrated logo for a friend who's interested in starting a fishing apparel line.

Illustration for Mother and Baby

2009-08-25T13:35:00.004+08:00

Just completed an illustration for October's issue of Mother and Baby Magazine. :) Looking forward to more work coming in!

Out to Ho Chi Minh

2009-08-14T18:15:00.004+08:00

Here are some location sketches on a recent trip to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Left - is at Singapore budget terminal airport whilst waiting to get on board the plane. Top left is a sketch of a child hugging his mother or grandmother. I saw that at my lift landing one day during the week. Right - whilst waiting in the plane, waiting for it to take off, looking out the window of the aircraft. Top right - at a Ya Kun in Bugis waiting for Veron to arrive the day before.

A passenger in the front aisle with a H1N1 mask on. He's probably afraid of falling sick. Looks mighty stuffy and uncomfortable. There were a few people with masks on and I would definitely not be caught dead with one!

There were a few sights that stayed with me whilst on a day trip to the Mekong Delta. Above is a remembered impression of a bicycle ride at an island. Tall coconut trees silhouetted against the blue sky with banana leaves overhead us.

Whilst waiting to check in our bags to head for home. Tan Son Nhat airport, Ho Chi Minh.

HY is playing games on his cellphone aboard the plane. He looks like he's asleep. :)

Illustrations for Huggies

2009-08-05T10:04:00.003+08:00

These are some illustrations I did for OIG International for Huggies diapers back in early July.

Studies of HY

2009-08-05T09:04:00.002+08:00

It's always nice to have a willing, unpretentious and ready model on hand when you need one. :) Here I am making little study drawings of my husband whilst he's busy.

My Beaded Past Time

2009-08-03T22:45:00.002+08:00

I'm back!!! Finally Blogger is working as per normal with me being able to post my pictures! Yay! :) These are some beaded jewelry work I've done since I picked up beading as a past time. They're brooches and pendants. These are just some of the stuff I've made so far. I'll post more as time goes by. :) Time to buy more beads!

Test

2009-08-02T14:50:00.000+08:00

I've been having some problems with Blogger and haven't been able to post properly pictures etc. I'm hoping it'll be resolved soon. Been awhile and help forums have not been of any good help!

Illustration for Tiger Translate

2009-07-27T12:32:00.004+08:00

Above is an illustration I did last year for Tiger Translate. You can officially preview it on their website at www.tigertranslate.com! Visit the AKA Gallery and pick the theme "Change" to vote if you like the above artwork. I've got 21 votes so far. :p There are lots of other nice artwork to look at, so do visit!

oil on a tablet?

2009-07-21T23:38:00.001+08:00

Fiddling with my tablet, trying to simulate painting in oil.

Pregnant ballerina

2009-07-16T23:06:00.002+08:00

Sketched from a photo reference. I liked the pose and the quiet contemplation of the lady. I enjoyed drawing this one.

Places of interest

2009-07-14T23:09:00.003+08:00

St Andrew's Cathedral at City Hall.

Asian Civilization's Museum at Empress Place.

Sir Stamford Raffles' statue at Empress place. Founder of Singapore. :) I had brought my students out to these locations for some sketching. Whilst they were out and about sketching on their own, I took time to do some of mine! :)

The Study Room

2009-07-12T21:45:00.000+08:00

HY's section of the study room.

2009-07-10T21:25:00.002+08:00

Observation of my director's crutches against some lecture theatre chairs whilst listening to HR doing their briefing.

Plotting shadows in my sketchbook.

Jun Yuan Secondary School

2009-06-20T19:34:00.002+08:00

Study corner at Jun Yuan Secondary School. Waiting for the BB cluster games day to start.

Desaru Church Camp 2009

2009-06-13T22:30:00.008+08:00

10th June, 1st day at Desaru Holiday Chalet. Sketched whilst waiting for our chalets problems to be resolved. 2 of the chalets given to us were too run-down and greatly differed in decor/livability.

12th June, listening to Rev Edmund Chan's message. He's a really good speaker, yet it's hard to concentrate when you're having brain fog from after lunch. So here are the people who were also listeners of his message. I know the proportions aren't perfect here tho'.

13th June, 3rd day at Desaru at about 1.30pm. Waiting for the coach to come pick us up, back for Singapore. :) Home sweet home!

From Pulau ubin's jetty

2009-06-13T21:15:00.005+08:00

Sketches at Pulau ubin which means ubin island in malay. The BB boys were to have their adventre camp. So I tagged along in the sweltering heat. These were sketched from the jetty

Observations

2009-06-01T22:46:00.002+08:00

Over the weekend, whilst waiting for HY during his BB activities, I found snippets of time to sketch vans, cars, traffic lights...

National Museum of Singapore

2009-06-01T01:43:00.002+08:00

28th May, brought my students to draw at the National Museum. It's got the Christian Lacroix and Verner Panton exhibits going on now and students get to enter for free. :)

Page from my sketchbook

2009-06-01T01:35:00.003+08:00

Couldn't decide which part to extract, so I decided to just plonk the whole spread from my sketchbook here. These were done over 25th to 26th May. The stapler was done after a 6 hour day of teaching. Had been extremely tired but found energy whilst drawing. The girl below is supposed to be me. Drawn from a photograph whilst on a lengthy phone conversation the same day I felt tired from school. It's mangosteen season now :) just had to draw them in! So perfumy, juicy and simply irresistible!

Afternoon siesta

2009-05-24T16:56:00.000+08:00

HY taking his Sunday afternoon nap.

Wood shaving study

2009-05-24T16:51:00.001+08:00

Piece of wood shaving study sketched straight in pen. A fun exercise I gave my students to do, but in pencil.

24th May. Sunday

2009-05-24T16:46:00.001+08:00

During a church service. My mind opens up and I listen better when I sketch. :)

Singapore Museum Interior

2009-05-10T16:29:00.002+08:00

Was visiting Christian Lacroix's exhibition at the Singapore's National Museum and thought I'd sit down to sketch for a while.

Wedding Card

2009-04-18T18:21:00.003+08:00

Now that my own wedding has been over by a month, I'm posting it up here. :) It's been fun designing and sending it out. And rewarding when it gets positive responses.

2009-04-13T22:41:00.001+08:00

This is what I do in my sketchbook when I'm bored in a meeting.

Location Sketch

2009-04-13T21:16:00.002+08:00

Location sketch from Loyang Aloha Resorts for a department retreat which was more about work I'd say. But it's nice to get out in the sun and sketch even if for 15 minutes!

CD cover illustration

2009-04-07T11:37:00.004+08:00

Above is my illustration.

Feels like a long while since I last posted! Been really busy with my wedding, honeymoon, work and settling in. Anyway, I received the music CD which I illustrated the cover for. This is how the final product looks like! It's really better than I imagined it to be. :) Should be posting here more often soon. Really looking forward to it. Cheers!

ACM badges

2009-02-09T22:52:00.001+08:00

Colored version of the mythical creature badges for the Singapore Asian Civilisation's Museum.

Fairy

2009-02-03T21:05:00.002+08:00

A friend requested I sketch a fairy character for him to teach a 3D modeling class. Will be looking forward to seeing the 3D model when it's done. Could be quite different from the sketch tho'.

Doodle person

2009-01-30T23:02:00.001+08:00

Taking a break from all the illustration work. Doodling on my pen tablet without reference.

Singaporean Kids - Final Colored version

2009-01-10T08:59:00.002+08:00

This is the final colored version of the Singaporean Children in their ethnic garments.

Singaporean kids

2008-12-31T12:32:00.001+08:00

The draft color of the 6 Singaporean children from the different ethnic groups.

Sketches

2008-12-29T23:38:00.002+08:00

Revised sketch of the king and his knights. The middle 3 faces are made to look like the company's big bosses. :)

Sketches

2008-12-28T23:16:00.001+08:00

Another sketch to be used for the client's annual report pitch.

Sketches

2008-12-28T23:12:00.002+08:00

Series of sketches for a client's pitch for an annual report.

Singaporean kids

2008-12-26T13:24:00.003+08:00

The client's brief was to create a set of 6 Singaporean children from the different ethnic groups - Indian, Malay and Chinese. This is the finished line work which they'll use for creating rubber stamps. Next up will be the colored phase.

Temasek Poly Dragon

2008-12-26T12:56:00.004+08:00

Illustrated this dragon sometime ago to be incorporated into Temasek Polytechnic School of Design's banner. The 5m wide banner is finally up outside the school and can be seen along the main road outside it.

Thanks to Judge for the photo! :)

Cylindrical character

2008-12-12T22:18:00.003+08:00

This was created today during a Picture Book Forum I attended. The speaker was illustrator Leigh Hobbs and this was done as part of a character creation exercise. Pretty fun. :)

Tiger Translate submission

2008-12-08T22:58:00.003+08:00

Finally finished the illustration for Tiger Translate! Painted in the water, fishes, starfish, humongous sea serpent (if you can see it), lone rafter who spots the Tiger beer bottles. Imagine global warming at its extreme - flooding Singapore!

Work in progress

2008-12-07T01:01:00.002+08:00

This is still work in progress. Spent a whole day on this. Looking forward to the finish tomorrow.

Doves

2008-11-08T13:57:00.002+08:00

Bringers of good news, these doves each carry a trinket, symbolic of the coming Christmas season.

Christmas trinkets

2008-11-07T00:03:00.001+08:00

Another Christmas ecard for www.greetings.com.sg. :)

Christmas snow

2008-11-05T23:56:00.005+08:00

Here's one of three Christmas ecards for www.greetings.com.sg. The snowflakes will be animated and will be falling. Trying not to rely on the computer but picking up my brushes and paints again for that hand painted feel. Looks bit empty now, but there'll be text and logo added in later by my client.

Bean with Antenna

2008-11-04T22:43:00.004+08:00

Did this just for fun. The time and concentration spent doing this helped me forget some bad conversations. It plays smoothly on my computer but is really jerky here. Still very rough but it's all good for now.

Completed badges

2008-11-02T22:58:00.003+08:00

Final line work of the badges for Asian Civilization's Museum. Hand-written text also by me. The badges are meant to be colored in by kids who visit the museum. ACM decided they wanted the hornbill to stay simple as compared to the sketch before.

Badges for ACM

2008-10-27T18:37:00.004+08:00

Sketches of badge designs for the Asian Civilizations Museum. Should have used "a" instead of "an" for some of the badges. But these will be rectified with the final illustration to be completed in black and white.

Bag design

2008-10-25T15:38:00.004+08:00

2 bags with the chinese "xi" word (meaning "happiness") on them. There's the final product with my sketches below. The bags come in a variety of other colors and are sold at Xi boutiques in town.

Thick lashes

2008-10-19T17:23:00.001+08:00

Did this just for fun. Made use of my fake eyelashes after the photo shoot to create the thick lashes. Such a waste to throw them away! :p

Colored version

2008-10-14T22:00:00.001+08:00

Here's the completed coloring for the CD cover. Gonna send it to the client for feedback now! :)

CD cover

2008-10-13T17:22:00.002+08:00

My refined line work for a CD cover to be painted - titled "Real Destiny". Do you see a butterfly and ladybug? :)

Jewelry design

2008-10-07T21:36:00.004+08:00

Came up with some jewelry sketches for Xi. With jade, pearl, diamond and white gold in mind. Thinking perhaps I should upload my jewelry work with some of my other product design stuff and sculptures to my website too. :)

Cats

2008-10-06T22:11:00.004+08:00

Cats in different coloring styles. The slinky contours of a cat make them very elegant and sensual animals.

Monsters Under the Bed

2008-10-02T17:11:00.005+08:00

Below are the proposed game card and the old Singapore map. These were quickly mocked up for MUTB's presentation at the Singapore Museum.

Monsters Under the Bed contacted me just 2 weeks ago to create some artwork for them in a bid for HIIP funding. I was invited as their delegate just last Monday to attend the closed door conference. It's amazing how you meet new people and new leads. That's me with the game board and the old illustrated Singapore map as the background. Wondering if MUTB will get the funding.

Gold Dragon

2008-09-29T00:19:00.001+08:00

Just completed this dragon illustration for Temasek Polytechnic's School of Design.

Bohemian Conservative

2008-09-25T22:11:00.004+08:00

A colleague of mine, donned an afro wig to work. Today's wig really caught me by surprise and makes for a fun drawing. The background is supposed to reflect KJ's peranakan heritage. :)

Watercolor illustrations

2008-09-21T23:28:00.003+08:00

Some watercolor illustrations of Singapore's history. Created to "bid" for a heritage board project. Left to right: George Pyncheon, Istana, Raffles place, the last tiger.

Illustration for Julius Truffles

2008-09-14T20:41:00.002+08:00

Just completed a concept illustration for Julius Truffles - a chocolatier. The volcanoes are based upon his collection of Volcs chocolates. www.juliustruffles.com

Sunday school

2008-09-14T14:54:00.001+08:00

Quick sketches of my Sunday school kids and a caricature of one of the teachers.

Strike a pose

2008-09-13T17:40:00.002+08:00

A quickly illustrated yoga pose, just to relax my mind as I work on my other illustrations. :)

Color in the rain

2008-09-13T14:20:00.002+08:00

It's been raining and I love rain. We should all enjoy the rain with colored umbrellas so it's not so gloomy. :) Trying to illustrate in a different style. Pen and ink, Photoshop.

Visual development

2008-09-03T09:43:00.002+08:00

Some visual development for an animation sequence about taking care of our earth.

Colored character sketches

2008-09-03T09:33:00.007+08:00

More colored sketches of the characters for the children's book I'm currently working on.

Character sets

2008-08-24T18:50:00.001+08:00

A set of characters for a children's storybook.

Curves

2008-08-23T18:04:00.003+08:00

Pen & digital

Visit to the Istana

2008-08-04T14:50:00.003+08:00

Yesterday was the Istana Open House. It has also been called the green lung of the city. We went and took photos of the wide and sprawling greenery. A welcome, despite hot escape from amidst the cares of city life.

E-cards

2008-08-02T16:59:00.004+08:00

Just completed some E-cards for the upcoming festivals.

SPOTTED!

2008-07-20T09:55:00.012+08:00

My work has been spotted on Culturepush! - www.culturepush.com. Michele Adriaens from Belgium who's the editor, searches out fresh Singaporean talent and their work.

Sketching at Singapore Zoo

2008-07-20T09:51:00.002+08:00

Location sketching at the Singapore Zoo, 19th July.

Location sketching

2008-07-20T09:45:00.001+08:00

Full day of location drawing with my two classes on 18th July - Boat Quay

New pen tablet test

2008-07-11T21:06:00.002+08:00

A trial illustration with my new Wacom pen tablet in Photoshop! Fun :)

Beggar Prince

2008-07-05T12:19:00.001+08:00

~ Illustrations for the Beggar Prince ~

Singapore National Library

2008-06-28T09:40:00.004+08:00

Got bitten by big red ants and mosquitoes whilst making this sketch...

Mr Pig

2008-06-24T20:43:00.004+08:00

~ Mr Pig ~

He's a mix of an inspiration from a real pig wearing yellow boots and a friend who loves pigs.

This was how I felt today... frustrated. Felt like curling up into a ball and sobbing loudly. But when I heard the bubbling water from the fish tanks and saw all the furry little animals - baby rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and hamsters at the pet shop to replenish my fish food, things got so much better! :)

Handmade

2008-06-21T12:38:00.000+08:00

I made this little decoration with the help of a cookie cutter and pastry cups. :) Thinking of making more to give away... Boy versions next time.

Walk through Kampong Glam

2008-06-20T21:18:00.005+08:00

I took a walk from Lavender MRT station to Bugis and on the way, passed Kampong Glam (pronounced as "glum"). A small Malay village that serves as a peaceful respite away from busyness despite being close to the city.

Most would consider these to be garden weeds. But they're looking adorable in coconut shells.

Complementary colors.

Ice-cream peddler

2008-06-19T23:31:00.004+08:00

Unable to concentrate on the motion graphics lesson after lunch...

Ice-cream vendors throng the stretch of Orchard Road. This shrivelled old man withstands the hot sun just outside Orchard MRT and the ION shopping mall currently under construction. I count my blessings as I jot this sketch quickly whilst feeling the sweltering heat before heading to dinner with my ex Koei colleagues.

Quick bus sketch

2008-06-18T16:28:00.006+08:00

18 June 2008

Quick sketch of the bus' entrance on the way home.

Restlessness takes over and the urge to make random sketches take over. There's beauty in natural shaking lines.