IF: Obsession

Pretty little octopus obsessing over her hair.

This is not yet done, I just wanted to submit on time.. I'll update it when it's finished (I hope tomorrow I'll get it done).  I had lots of time to finish it this week and it started out good, I had the concept and the colors in mind.  But as I was painting it, I got tired of it so easily.  I kept standing up and doing something else.  So unproductive :(  I think I'm just distracted this week.

IF: Perennial: Mermaid

Humans have been amazed with mermaids for a very long time.  Now we know what mermaids are fascinated with :)

See the full gallery on Posterous

Candy land!

See the full gallery on Posterous

I've been working on a children's book project for iPad these past two weeks.  I'm still not done, I have 5 pages to go.. But I can't resist not sharing anything, here's a sneak peek of the book!  I've never drawn this much candy!

*Don't use the images for any purpose.

IF: Soaked and Asleep

I almost forgot about this!  This was supposed to be for last week's topic but I didn't finish it in time (again).  It's also applicable to this week's topic and I didn't have time to make a new one ^^

Also, introducing Pedro, the lazy fat bird.  The idea for the tub shower was from a magazine pic I saw, couldn't remember where..

This image is a part of an ongoing series made from IF topics.  Check out the other illustrations here in my blog. :)

I found some nifty lomo effects online and thought I'll give it a try to give the piece more drama.

me likey!

I hope I get this!

*crosses fingers* They can even pay me with clothes!

IF: Beginner and Safari

I was in wonderful boracay last week so I wasn't able to do last week's topic.  I had to cram both illustrations this week.  Add to that I'm in the middle of a project.  I must be crazy.. Well I'm just gonna have to cut my sleeping time (or my tv time).  :)

So continuing with the story:

 Beginner

Safari

I would have wanted to paint Safari like the rest but I don't have enough time so I did a minimalist take on it.  I still like how it turned out but I know I could have done better.

First: bicycle
Second: lesson

IF: Lesson

I was inspired by one of the comments for last week's IF topic (bicycle) so I thought I'd continue on with the story.   And I'll be building it up with each IF topic.. This should be interesting :)

But since I'm no author (I do try sometimes, but I suck..),  I'll leave it up to you to interpret the images yourself.  Stay tuned :D

Check out last week: bicycle

IF: Bicycle

This piece and me, we did not click.  At first I was excited to do it, to explore a new style but then I immediately got tired of it, maybe I didn't like the palette (?), I don't know.  OR most probably because it is scorching here in the Philippines, so so so hot.  But I stayed with it like a patient mom, and here it is.  Not as bad as I thought it would be.   I just might do more pieces along this style.


EDIT:  I was inspired with the comments so I'll be making this into a series.  I'm not good with words though so I'll leave it up to you to interpret the pictures. :)  To make it more interesting (for me, I guess) I'll be using the weekly IF topics to build the story.

IF: Toy

It's been a while since I've done a piece for IF, so here's my comeback piece :D This week's word is toy!  Fun memories of childhood come to mind :D  We had lots of toys when I was a kid and most (or all) were gifts.  I knew I had this one barbie, just one and I would sew clothes for her (out of socks and stockings!) and our toys all had birthdays and we'd celebrate them with cupcakes.  We even took pictures of it. So fun :) I'd love to be a kid again!

Fun Fact: This mother and daughter tandem is also the same one from this illustration. :)

Freelance

Last year I quit my job and around February I started freelancing.  I got the sense of accomplishment that I never felt doing programming.  Not so much satisfaction financially and although it is unstable and nerve-wracking I still feel it is the best decision I've made.  Gone are the days when I hated waking up to go to work.  The only trouble is, I have to actively look for projects and balance my time wisely.  To other freelancers out there, how do you keep the projects coming? Any tips for a newbie like me?

Okay enough rambling, here are some of the projects I've been up to since Feb :)

This is a set of  around 50 images commissioned by Edventure Books (Singapore).

 This is also commissioned by Edventure Books.  It's a 7-page book for early readers, written in Mandarin.

Sneak peak of an ongoing project.  This one is the hardest yet just because I'm not used to Illustrator and because the files are huge! Backdrops, banners and flags for a project launch event.

That's it :) Here's to more projects to come! :D