Tutorial: Blue Jewel/Jem/Gem on White Paper

  As requested, here's a tutorial showing how I draw a blue jewel/jem/gem on white paper. I wanted this second tutorial to teach you something different from my first, so in this video, I don't use a pen to add highlight. Instead, I use the white of the paper as a substitute. I'm hoping this will be useful for those of you who don't have a white pen, or don't enjoy using pens with your coloured pencils. 

  Note that I'm using Derwent's Coloursoft pencils, and so I'm not adding any water (unlike if you use Derwent's Inktense pencils). I don't think there's a need for notes this time around because everything is pretty much written out in the video. I've already planned to make another video with some tips on using dry coloured pencils to create jewels. Many artists use Inktense pencils or watercolours, and I think those of you who are looking to just use dry coloured pencils will find my next video useful.

  As always, feel free to ask questions in the comments section below, and also to make requests for what coloured/shaped jewels you'd like to see in my next tutorial. ^-^

how to draw jewels/jems/gems for Zentangle

  Isn't the new trend of jewels (or jems, or gems) such fun? I've been looking at all the beautiful works being posted online and I've been so inspired. Having used coloured pencils as one of my main mediums for the past two years and counting, it was a no-brainer that I should try drawing these jewels for myself. And to help others who would like to try it out too, I've made a video showing a really simple way to create these jewels.

Basically, every jewel will have a dark, medium, and light part. Choose what colour you want your jewel to be, then pick three or four pencils from that family of colours. Pro-tip: Choose rougher paper. If you're going to draw on printer paper, it's not going to look as great as compared to if you used drawing paper... If the paper is too smooth, the pigment of the coloured pencils will not have enough tooth to grip on so the colours will look dull.

  So for example, if I wanted my jewel to be red-orange, this might be the pencils I'd use:

  If I wanted my jewel to be blue, this might be the pencils I'd use:

  If I wanted my jewel to be green, this might be the pencils I'd use:

  In the video, I decided a purple jewel would look nice. Pro-tip: When using coloured pencils use small circular motions to lay down the pigment. You can see me doing so in the video. This ensures that the colours will be nicely blended and that the jewel will look smooth.

  So what, exactly, am I doing in the video...?

1. I first start off with Blackberry C280 and lay down the dark part of the jewel.
2. Moving on to Purple C250, I add a mid-tone.
3. Bright Purple C240 comes next. Small circular strokes and light pressure is the trick.
4. The last colour I use is Deep Fuschia C140. It goes over the entire jewel.
5. Then I use White C720 to lighten the area around the highlight.
6. Is that done? No, not really. I move my way back from Deep Fushia, Bright Purple, Purple, and lastly Blackberry.. Just to saturate the colours and make the jewel really pop.
7. Then I use my white uni-ball signo broad pen to add the highlights. (I struggle a little in the video to get the ink flowing because my pen is running out of ink.. oh no~)
8. And we're done!

Pro-tip: If you feel that the coloured pencils aren't filling the entire space and it bother you, there are many ways to solve it. You can:

• Use a white pencil (but note that doing so will lighten your colours)
• Use an old brush with stiff bristles to brush the pigment into the paper. This might sound ridiculous but I guarantee you it works.
• Use spirits. I'm talking about mineral spirits here, but feel free to pray, too.
• Derwent sells colourless blender pens. Linky link to a review of them right here (click me).
• Use colourless blender pencils.. They're just pencils with wax/oil (depending on the brand you buy from). Think of a coloured pencil without the colour. That's a colourless blender pencil. Here's mine:

  Here are some other jewels I've made:

  As stated in the video, I'm using Coloursoft coloured pencils by Derwent. Prismacolours were great when they were made in the USA, but now they're made in Mexico and the quality of their pencils has gone down the gutters since. Polychromos are great too, albeit being a little expensive.

  If you'd like me to do another video using different colours, or drawing a different shaped jewel, request them in the comments section below. And don't be shy to ask questions too.   ^-^


  Liked this tutorial? Click here for more jewel inspiration!

mucking about with Mooka

  I received my tiga sketchbook that I backed on Kickstarter, and I've been using it for the past week. Here are some of the works I've done in it so far.

Hollibaugh within Hollibaugh,

Arukas is amongst those few tangles that I really struggle with.
I'm determined to get better at it, though.

I also played around with Mooka.
I didn't actually like the fact that it doesn't close. So I thought of ways to make it work for me.
Update: I've made a tutorial on how I draw my version of Mooka. Link is right here: (click me)

A coloured page for Diva's Challenge. Tangle used: "Grained".
I haven't decided what tangles to add to the tree..... I'll update this post once I get around to it.
(Shoutout to Dilip. It was great seeing you at CZT21.)

"Cruffle" and a variety of things I thought of doing with it...
As a border, as a tangle, and as "ornaments".

I've recently been obsessed with Heartswell.
It's just such a simple yet elegant tangle...

Done with Coloursoft.
I wanted to see how coloured pencils would lay on the sketchbook.

  Joni has been busy with a new project for Everything Is Art, so she doesn't have tiles to show for this week... Here's a sneak peak at what she has done so far, though:

  Thanks for looking and for leaving such wonderful comments last week.

National Gallery Singapore (part two)

  In his 2005 National Day Rally Speech, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings were going to be converted into a national art gallery. Many were skeptical of how successful the project would be. After all, adapting two huge national monuments into a museum, while still conserving them, was a mammoth feat. And that wasn't even considering the fact that various art works had to be curated to represent Southeast Asian modern art.

  However, a decade later, I can proudly say that we did what we set our hearts to.

There was a large recreation of a painting at the front of the gallery.
Lots of people were taking pictures of it.
The "painting" was a silk print, I believe. Really cool.

Obligatory selfie.
I looked really cute that day, with my feather hat and matching feather jewellery. hehehe

  Onwards into the gallery!

Bonus points to you if you manage to spot my mum, Joni.

Created in 1982 by Somboon Hormtientong.  The following drawing is made up of five large panels and is absolutely stunning. It's titled "Das Lied" (The Song) and is actually made with pencil on paper. You *need* to see it in person to appreciate how beautiful it is.

Here is some detail.
Imagine the patience!

There were many pieces that I didn't "get"...
These many stacked bowls are impressive, though.

Death of traditions, maybe?
I couldn't find the little explanatory card for the piece.

But at this space, if you look up...

You'll see the wonderful steel structures that are reinforcing the integrity of the building.

  Right next to the Aura Sky Lounge at the City Hall wing, you get to see this breathtaking view of Marina Bay:

There was a carnival happening in front of the gallery. (more on that later)

I took a panorama of the area near-by.

Remember the canopy of glass I showed you in my last post about the National Gallery?
Look how beautiful it is at night.
(If you haven't seen the post I'm talking about, you should totally check it out by clicking here.)

And you actually get to see the exterior of the dome of the old building!
I love how they integrated the old with the new.

Then I visited Wu Guan Zhong's exhibit.

And also Chua Ek Kay's exhibit.

I like the composition of this painting.
Reminds me of ancient Chinese coins.

There was also this participatory performance happening. It was lead by people from Spell#7. It was a part-language lesson, part-play; inspired by the painting below.

Painting by Chua Mia Tee. Titled "National Language Class", made in 1959.
The explanatory text says, "Shortly after Singapore became partially self-governing in 1955, Malay was made the national language to help forge the identity of a nation pushing for full independence. On the blackboard are the phrases: "Siapa nama kamu? ("What is your name?") and "Di mana awak tinggal? ("Where do you live?"), words that capture a growing consciousness of national identity among Singaporeans at that time.

Then we stepped out of the building to go visit the carnival.
The National Gallery building was beautiful lit with pretty colours.

  I didn't take many pictures of the carnival as the sun had set by then, and we mainly just wanted to get some food to eat... We did take part in this community art work thing, where we were asked to "vandalise" the buildings on this large print. Here's Joni doing some Zentangle on it.

Diva Dance: Rock and Roll.

  All in all, I had great fun at the National Gallery. The building is HUGE so grab a map at the start of your visit, and expect to do lots of walking. The architecture is breath-takingly beautiful (as I've mentioned many times). Within the 64,000 sqm, countless beautiful works are displayed to the public, with interactive spaces to have fun in, and workshops for children to help spark their creativity. This museum truly is a wonderful place where Southeast Asian art is recognised and celebrated.

  You have till' the 6th of December to enjoy free entry to all exhibitions. After which, the special exhibits will cost $20, though the permanent exhibits will still be free. :)

  I didn't get to visit the Art Playscape because it was closed for a special event. So I will probably go back again to see that. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I briefly mentioned the Art Playscape in my previous post. You can read about it via this link.

National Gallery Singapore (part one)

  The National Gallery Singapore recently re-opened. It's been ten years in planning and I was excited to see it and the art works within it. Currently, all exhibition halls are open to the public with no entrance fees. After the 6th of December 2015, though, you'll have to pay $20 to see the special exhibitions. Though, the permanent exhibitions will always be free to the public. :)

  It's located at 1 Saint Andrew's Road, Singapore 178957. It opens from 10am to 7pm on all days (and until 11pm on Fridays to Sundays.)

Here's me standing in front of the gallery's sign.
(I'm holding the gallery's map. This picture was actually taken at the end of the day, after we exited from the gallery.)

  Upon entering the gallery, you are greeted by the oh-so-gorgeous architecture of the place:

Its a canopy made of glass and 15,000 veil-like aluminium panels draped over the entire museum and is supported be steel structures resembling tree trunks.

It really was breath-taking.

   Now, on to some art works displayed within the exhibition halls...

  We went to the Art Playscape where there was a beautiful, vibrant watercolour instillation. There are guided tours held throughout the day where you'll enter the enchanted forest filled with hidden stories and adorable characters.

This fantasy wonderland comes from the mind of Sandra Lee.

We missed the last guided tour, so I didn't take too many pictures.
Look out for part two of this series, where I'll be showing you more of the museum, and telling you more fun titbits.

This was an art work done by the insanely talented Stephen Wiltshire.
Below is a process video of him creating the art work.

  I hope you liked this little sneak peak at what you'll be able to see at the National Gallery Singapore. I went really late in the day and could only stay for two hours, until they closed for the day, so there's still more for me to see. Thus, I'll be going back again soon, and part two will be posted after. (Update: Part Two is out. Click this link to view it.) And remember; the museum is open to the public with no entrance fees to ALL the exhibitions till' the 6th of December 2015. Do visit it soon!