Hello, Everyone!

How are you doing lately? Can you believe 2013 is already here?! It's been so long since my last journal entry, so I guess it's a good time to say hello and do little recap on what I've done back in 2012 and my future in 2013 and on.

Year 2012 has been a very good year for me. First of all, I got a good start on dA by receiving my first  Daily Deviantion ever!


I also have participated various contests hosted on dA, such as...

Got some featuring and attention in this wonderful community. I didn't get any big rewards but I've learned a lot about the nature of contests. I realize that you have to resolve to "suffer" the consequences of not winning. If you can't take the beating, then you shouldn't be entering after all. You must have fun in doing what you do.

I've also been invited to be part of the "Adora Portrait Project" You may see more detail here:


One thing lead to another, I stumbled upon Colored Pencil Magazine's blog and started to take on their Monthly Challenges. Each moth, they put out a reference photo on their Flikr group for the group members to draw in colored pencils. Not only they have quality references, the participation is completely free! Did I mention they have prizes for two selected entry? OK, enough for the promotion (just because they have paid me a fortune to say all these ) Here are some of my entries.


Through the year, I've been drawing every night after my day job. Sometimes I stayed up late just because I got lost in time. Good habit but very bad at the same time. It's a bit out of balance but I didn't feel like letting the day gone by without making progress on my craft. Looking back all my work in 2012, I see significant improvement.

I also started taking drawing and painting lessons in Sadie Valeri's Atelier in San Francisco. I've done a 6-Staturday life figure drawing course and an on-going Sunday still life drawing/painting course. Although the pace of the course didn't go as fast as I wanted, I did learned a great amount of new knowledge and techniques. It's probably a good thing to get into new environment and make yourself a little bit uncomfortable. Sometimes, I need an external force to discipline me to do the "right" thing. Then I started to see things from a different perspective and think more open mindedly. The more you know, the more you can apply.

I have to admit that attending studio lessons is quite costly. Being a frugal person for all my life, spending money on art lessons is quite indulging. Perhaps out of impulse, I invested a big amount on myself. Could it be the best money I spent? You'll see.

That's pretty much what I've done besides working 6 days per week like a zombie. Yes, like a zombie with zero social life. It's OK. Who needs physical friends when you could have over a hundred friends on your facebook fan page anyway?! Just kidding. I seriously need some friends, both real life friend and cyber friends.

So, do you like me ?
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Thanks for reading and see you soon.

Kelvin