JC's Sketchblog

Announcement - Off to Singapore!

2011-12-21T15:06:00.000-08:00

Well, as I hinted at earlier, I'm making a very big change. After working independently - teaching at Animation Mentor (which I'll miss greatly), lecturing abroad, writing, painting and all sorts of other things, I've decided to return to the Animation Industry full time. Yes, I'm packing the bags again. bye bye Vancouver.

In 2012 my wife and I will be moving to Singapore, as I have accepted a position to be the new Animation and Creative Director of an exciting young studio there. I've been given the challenge and responsibility of guiding the creative vision of the company and it's incredibly exciting. The core team of artists/management is amazing, and it's the most exciting thing I've been a part of since I first became a professional artist.

For now, I've got to busily wrap things up for our move, but I'll follow up with more details soon!

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

Ladies...

2011-12-10T17:47:00.000-08:00

A couple of sketches made at the airport on my recent trip.
Been busy, working on something new that could changes things greatly in the new year.

Faces

2011-11-24T10:12:00.000-08:00

Just got back from my trip to Asia. a great experience it was. I will share some pics later. But here, a couple of caricatures from the sketchbook, all in good fun.

Acrylic Sketches

2011-10-10T11:13:00.001-07:00

I've recently begun painting in my sketchbooks over old drawings done on the fly, in field. It's a lot less serious than painting on my easel, and a good place to practice. I used to worry about what it'd do to my sketchbooks and stuff (it's not watercolor paper), but I don't care much about that now, and the results are more liberating.

Each day, I'm painting or drawing now, and I don't feel right when I don't.

Arggghh!

2011-10-07T11:16:00.000-07:00

Drawing from late last night. I'm promising myself to explore drawing as much as painting now, and it's proving to be just as rewarding. For years I would hastily fly through the execution of a drawing, as if just a sketch (the cursed side effect of being an animator for so long). I'm now giving all my drawings the time they deserve, as a statement of it's own - more thought, more play, more meaningful execution. It's like a return to when I first started drawing, when it was a completely new and fun experience.

Red Towel

2011-10-03T13:39:00.000-07:00

Well, this is the most recent painting from this past weekend. working wet on wet, very relaxing, exactly what i needed to get back into the swing of things. Using so much oil, like i do , has it's limitations, as the skin on the face has been reworked too much, and it's breaking down. I'll have to wait to finish it off.

Woman

2011-09-28T20:00:00.001-07:00

Just a quick recent sketch. I'm working on posting a little more regularly again.

Fellow Passengers

2011-09-07T13:53:00.000-07:00

Drawings done last night on my flight home back from Los Angeles.
I love using my cheap papermate pens, but sometimes they bleed like crazy. so nothing refined here, but tried to capture some greater "honesty" in these drawings of my fellow "plane mates".

I had also just finished visiting the LACMA and saw the really fun Tim Burton exhibit. what was really cool was seeing the sculpts made of his work, the awkward proportions and scratchy style, translate wonderfully in 3 dimensions. Overall the show was even better than i expected, and i really like that major museums are now showing work from major film, animation and illustration artists. James Jean's exhibit at the art catalogue room at the LACMA was still on display and it was a treat to see his beautiful sketchbooks. His amazing skill equals his creativity, which is truly rare. Inspiring to say the least.

Woman Profile

2011-08-31T23:50:00.000-07:00

A Painting composition re-visited. Trying again, a new way of working, searching, trying to find myself. A battle with finding the realness, without the obvious realism, and not dependent on painting "brushstrokes" to differentiate it from what photo manipulation can do these days. it's a painful process and I'm still not happy. I may continue to re-work this...after i return from my trip to LA.

Abandoned....

2011-08-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

I do so many paintings that start out well, and then get abandoned. yes, they are gone for life, painted over, destroyed, or whatever you might want to call it. This is one of them. The good thing is sometimes i take a quick picture of it on the iphone.

White Wig

2011-07-24T22:41:00.001-07:00

latest painting...still finding, searching like everyone else. a bit of Lucien Freud distortion.

Street Worker

2011-06-07T15:02:00.000-07:00

Another painting on the go.

This one's in acrylics (so far) - I like that I can work very loose and broad with them. Planning on moving towards larger and larger canvases - easier on my mind and body. (this is only 30x40")

Face

2011-05-31T12:36:00.001-07:00

Another painting on the easel...the explorations continue.

Drawing...

2011-05-18T10:21:00.001-07:00

little sloppy with the blog. but here's a drawing.

Nude Part 1

2011-04-30T17:22:00.000-07:00

New painting...just started. we'll see how this turns out.

Goggles

2011-04-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

Messin' with the paints again.

Nude Drawing

2011-03-28T09:32:00.001-07:00

Another drawing. Hope to be back painting again soon.

Every line should be the universe to you.
- Robert Henri

Please Donate

2011-03-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

These are dark times we live in. Japan needs your help. To date, over 21,000 people have lost their lives and over 1/2 million are homeless, hundreds of billions in damages. There are now numerous places to donate to this needed cause. (do make sure they are legitimate).

I've made my donation (via Red Cross). Please help out, every bit counts.

REMINDER - ART Blocks for Ghana Events

2011-03-09T15:05:00.000-08:00

if you're in the area, go see the show. all for a great charitable cause!
the ONLINE auction starts March 12, 2011. (that's this week!)
make a bid! buy my piece, or a host of many others! =0)

Gallery Nucleus Event LINK

ONLINE AUCTION LINK (EBAY)

I'm back!

2011-03-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

Goodness gracious it's hard to believe how I've neglected my blog this year. Just too darn busy! I vow to do better in the upcoming weeks.

I'll leave a quote from my favorite artist/teacher, to make this post a little more meaningful. =0)

"See things not as they are, but as you see them"
- Robert Henri

Back from Holidays...

2010-12-30T17:39:00.001-08:00

Well...what a mess. stuck over 36 hours at the airport due to a snowstorm, and lost 1/2 my vacation. With no re-bookings available and the airlines stealing my money, we decided to jump ship and head back home. NYC will have to wait. How did I pass the time? drawing of course! This is why every artist should have his sketchbook with him all the time!

Anyhow, let me say to those of you kind enough to follow this little blog of mine, thank you very much and Best wishes to you all for the New Year ahead!

Faceless

2010-11-28T12:42:00.000-08:00

Some more drawing. Funny, I feel like I'm only now starting to understand what drawing is.

Nude

2010-11-24T15:24:00.000-08:00

Some dry media. sometimes I miss working with pencils/charcoal.

Mister...

2010-11-12T16:17:00.000-08:00

A new painting I've started to block out. acrylics, but i'll probably finish it in oil. 18x24"

Art Blocks for Ghana

2010-10-25T09:41:00.001-07:00

Here's my humble contribution to another amazing charity event - Art Blocks for Ghana. Each piece is done on a square wood block to symbolize the building of something great. A huge collection of internationally acclaimed artists are donating their time and art to help build a school for orphaned children in Ghana.

Please check out the site - the art is beautiful! I believe the live auction doesn't happen till early next year, but you can get a good taste for some goodies you might want to purchase and contribute to a great cause.

Art Blocks for Ghana webiste

Clown

2010-10-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

More pencil sketching. I like clowns...even though they scare me.

Essex County

2010-10-12T13:32:00.000-07:00

Haven't done too many book recommendations - but just finished reading Jeff Lemire's Essex County and just loved it. About three beautifully intertwined stories set in the backdrop of a small Canadian town, this is truly a great graphic novel - bold, sincere, and loaded with maturity. There are moments that make you ache inside. I highly highly recommend it as one of the finest in the medium. Looking forward to reading his other books.

Sketch

2010-10-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

When things are feeling too stiff or tight, it's time to bring out the pencils. here's some graphite, inspired after the masterful Gustav Klimt.

lil' oil sketch

2010-10-06T17:29:00.000-07:00

Happy to be painting today, and extra happy to play with oils again.
this one's small - 8X10 sketch i did in about 30 minutes. sometimes the quick sketches are my favorites.

Some more...

2010-09-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

...Dirty ugly sketches. stuff i'm exploring for possible paintings.

Blond Asian

2010-09-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

Crappy photo of what's on the easel this week. Part of a series of "bigger"portraits i'm doing (this one's 18x24, acrylics). Slowly aiming to work larger and larger as time and space permits.
The wife likes it, so this time i'll leave it and not paint over it.

From Memory

2010-09-15T23:29:00.000-07:00

Was on the bus, didn't have my sketchbook with me, but wanted to draw this lady across from me. so i went home and did it from memory. Should do this more often.

Laffer&Lady

2010-08-28T18:35:00.001-07:00

A couple of characters I've been developing...for a fun script/project.
They're bad guys. =0)

Nude...

2010-08-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

Beginnings of a new painting (based on a sketch below). Kinda of excited about it since it's my first decent sized picture - about 3ft x 4ft. Using acrylics this time, trying to take an approach that takes advantage of it's water properties and quick drying time. it's making my floor a mess but just another way of saying i need a real studio - a bigger studio. =0)

Cintiq doodles...

2010-08-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

some drawing from my recently purchased Cintiq. pricey thing, but worth every penny. finally i can draw on the screen!

some dirty doodles on this digital beast.

Sorry for the absence...

2010-08-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

For those of you who come to visit this humble little blog, I thank you. This site has taken a hit this summer, as I've been super busy with my project. it's kinda done, awaiting editing etc, so I still don't feel able to share any of it with you yet. hopefully soon enuff I'll be able to share some of the boatload of work I've done this past year or two.

so in the meantime, here are some girly sketches. =0)
I hadn't drawn "just for fun" for a while, but last night I drew for hours on end. here are some of the results, all from my favorite 25cent papermate pen.

Books!

2010-06-08T18:01:00.000-07:00

well, I don't really buy very much of anything but this week my order of art books finally came in. One book on Lucien Freud, and one on Jenny Saville (see above). she's a young artist (comparatively), whose work is just as stunning and inspiring. Like Freud, she' really captures the essence of flesh in the nude body. what's just as startling is the size of her paintings - some as large as 16ft! I have a feeling her work will be a positive influence on my own painting. only time will tell.

Girl In a Dress

2010-05-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

Another quick blocking...not sure if i want to finish it or paint over it.

Feelin' Down...

2010-05-17T18:54:00.001-07:00

...so thought I'd do some more painting to cheer myself up. but somehow, my sadness still showed up.

HatLady...finished

2010-05-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to finish this one up too. i start so many oil sketches but often dont' finish them up. today was that kind of day. i hope i made it better and not worse (which happens far too often). It's the hardest thing to do - amplifying the important and removing the unimportant. too often we just end up "cleaning things up" - and ruin the essence of the original.

New Painting

2010-05-15T23:39:00.000-07:00

Been forever since I've posted. Feel ashamed. but been really busy, and it's just so refreshing to have a go at the oils. Was an old acrylic sketch I did a while back, but never got back to finishing it. A little Dali influence, a little crazy fun.

Clown

2010-04-21T16:10:00.001-07:00

...I like clowns...cuz they're scary.

Screwy Characters

2010-04-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

Been really really busy. Not much time for fun, but here are a few doodles from my sketch piles.

Young Girl

2010-03-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

Felt like drawing kids...these two I actually kinda liked.

A "Fantastic" movie recommendation.

2010-03-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

Little too busy for painting these days, but I did find time to watch The Fantastic Mr. Fox last nite. I absolutely loved it! Finally an animated film that' allows itself the visual freedom and creativity joy of animation!! Adapted from the brilliant creation by Roald Dahl, Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore, Bottle Rocket) has made a film with wit, intelligence and visual flair. It's so adult yet so childlike as well. It makes all those "other" animated films we've seen feel cliche and just flat out boring. As a teacher of animation, I've been calling often for better stories, stories with real soul and human behaviour while savoring and respecting the art form - this does it in spades. Everything works, the cast, the animation, the story, the photography (just loved the light and color), and even the score was brilliant. Plus George Clooney was perfect as Mr. Fox. Go see it if you haven't.

Some more experimenting

2010-03-03T22:22:00.000-08:00

...been reading alot about Klimt and Schiele....inspired to do something newish.

Today's Painting

2010-02-27T20:45:00.000-08:00

Felt good today, so did another oil. slowly learning the colors...very slowly.

Painting tonite

2010-02-17T18:35:00.000-08:00

Just painted this today. Was inspired by an Ashley Wood painting of a similar color scheme - i loved how simple his was, yet so beautiful. so i whipped out the oils. - update - finished version.

Sketching Everywhere

2010-02-15T17:54:00.000-08:00

Those who know me, know I sketch all the time, any place, anywhere and on any surface. I learned this from Walt Stanchfield, one of the great drawing teachers I've had when I trained at Disney. He would draw on napkins if he didn't have his sketchbook. This drawing, i did on a whiteboard I used for scheduling. since it wasn't permanent, i took a quick photo of it.

Peter de Seve

2010-02-12T13:49:00.000-08:00

Look what I got recently!! hehe.

Peter de Seve is one of THE finest illustrators in the history of the medium. I still remember looking up to his work when i was still in school, studying diligently his use of line and form. And when I got my gig at Bluesky, and got to meet him, i was expecting a crusty old master given his illustrious body of work in the New Yorker covers, and countless films - instead i meet this charming, fit and funny guy who was not much older than myself! I just thought damn! he's the Mozart of illustration!

And this book is incredible, finally in a beautiful collection all his amazingly playful, creative and awe-inspiring drawings and paintings. I am honored I got to know Peter when I was at Bluesky - he's the best.

check out his site if you don't already have it tagged and get the book!

Peter's site

Brownstones to Red Dirt

2010-02-10T21:19:00.000-08:00

My small contribution to this amazing charity event, that is part of a feature-length documentary about a pen-pal program between at risk kids in Brooklyn,NY and Sierra Leone, Africa.

Please check out the sight, there are many amazing pieces of art by many talented artists. (after seeing their work, i wanted to re-do mine! rats!)

Website:
Brownstones Art Benefit

some designs

2010-02-08T13:49:00.000-08:00

...for some characters I'm working on.

Quickie sketches...

2010-01-30T20:54:00.000-08:00

some minute sketches in photoshop. haven't done that in a long time.

Hitman

2010-01-25T14:11:00.001-08:00

Messin around. haven't done enuff of that this year.

GunFight

2010-01-16T17:26:00.001-08:00

A quick doodle ... inspired by my recent view of Sergio Leone's "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". might turn it into a painting, try to anyway.

Mexico

2010-01-14T18:19:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't posted at all this year. Just in a lull I guess. So I wanted to share some photos I took from my recent trip to Mexico couple of months ago. I didn't love the trip that much since I got sick with the H1N1 virus and all, and where we were situated was just too touristy.

But there was a hi lite in the trip, although it was not the pyramids or anything. Just a small visit to this small family's home, where they cooked us our lunch. I insisted that our driver take us to somewhere real - to see how real Mexicans live - and this was it. Watching the grandmother cook us the pork, that was only recently hunted by her son. It was hard seeing such poverty, yet this is the real norm. There were no beds, or furniture per se, just a hammock and you pretty much ate, slept and worked all in the same room. It was sad, but at the same time beautiful because of it's honesty and humility.The family was grateful for our visit, but it was I who felt honored. And yes, the food was delicious.

I leave you these words from Henry David Thoreau (one of my greatest influences of late):

"What of architectural beauty I now see, I know has gradually grown from within outward, out of the necessities and character of the indweller, who is the only builder - out of some unconscious truthfulness, and nobleness, without ever a thought for the appearance and whatever additional beauty of this kind is destined to be produced will be preceded by the alike unconscious beauty of life. The most interesting dwellings in this country, as the painter knows, are the most unpretending, humble log huts and cottages of the poor commonly: is is the life of the inhabitants whose shell they are, and not any peculiarity in their surfaces merely, which makes them picturesque"

Merry Christmas (Tiger)

2009-12-24T11:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays Everyone!

A face...

2009-12-18T22:45:00.001-08:00

Hands feeling stiff, so I whipped out the watercolors to loosen up. I'm always more relaxed using them. Nothing special just a face inspired by my browsing through my Nicolai Fechin book.He's amazing, if you haven't seen his work, check it out - a modern man with the skill of the Renaissance guys, but with the heart and sensibilities of all those great Russian painters.

On the Easel

2009-12-18T16:36:00.000-08:00

well, one of several paintings I've started this week.

Charmer

2009-12-10T13:52:00.001-08:00

Recent doodle - pure mindless fun. =0)

color sketches

2009-12-09T13:54:00.000-08:00

...couple doodles from the sketchbook with some watercolor splashed on them, while watching the television.

Hats...

2009-11-28T17:24:00.000-08:00

I do a lot of mindless scribbling. Whenever I'm in a rut or dont' feel very loose, that's what I do.. These are good examples from the last day or two. They certainly don't meaning much nor do they have much in common except one thing - I started each with the drawing of a hat of some sort.

Sushi Chef

2009-11-14T14:54:00.001-08:00

...a scary one. =0)

Cop

2009-11-10T14:42:00.000-08:00

...another dirty painting I did recently.

Sneak peaks...

2009-11-09T00:26:00.000-08:00

Another piece started from a series I'm working on ....Oil

more sketchbook

2009-11-07T13:46:00.000-08:00

some doodles from last night...while watching tv. I don't really "watch" tv.

Chief

2009-11-03T10:48:00.000-08:00

Another sketchbook piece.

Back again

2009-11-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

Sharing a couple of doodles just completed last night on my trip back from Mexico. The trip wasn't great - got sick with the flu, bad fever and all, but I'm happy with these sketches which I think better define my personal instincts, my drawing at it's best. I did a lot of reading of my most influential writer/teacher/artist, Robert Henri, who prophetically reminded me to be true to myself. As I reflect back on my body of work, it's clear that I've strayed far too often. Convention is a terrible burden for an artist. So, I leave you with these poignant words:

"Perhaps whatever there is in my work that may be really interesting to others, and surely what is interesting to me, is the result of a sometimes successful effort to free myself from any idea that what I produce must be art or must respond in any way to any standard" - Robert Henri

Latest...

2009-10-23T22:51:00.000-07:00

well, leaving for Mexico tomorrow, so I thought I'd whip out another painting before I go. Acrylic, 18x24.

Sneak Peak...

2009-10-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

Early stages of a promotional piece in oil...

Old Lady...

2009-10-16T11:36:00.000-07:00

A painting I ruffed out months ago...thought I'd finish it, kinda. sorry crappy photo again.

WIP update...

2009-10-10T02:03:00.000-07:00

Oh man....I thought I had a good start with the rough painting in acrylic, then of course I start experimenting and ending up killing it numerous times. So I went to the oils to see what I could do.

WIP

2009-10-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

A new painting I've just started on the big easel...early stages. Acrylics...still learning them. stressful.

Monsta...

2009-09-23T20:46:00.000-07:00

Is it too early for Halloween?...nah.

Airport sketches 4

2009-09-12T17:13:00.000-07:00

More simple line work. I'd loved this girl - she had such a beautiful line to her body - at times she looked frail, other moments very graceful. She was on the phone almost the whole time moving around, then sat down pensively looking at her things. later she came by to chat with me as she caught my doodle of her. she was a lovely model.

airport sketches 3

2009-09-01T13:41:00.000-07:00

Once in a while you see a face that gives you an idea. This was more a look than anything - in this case a scowl, but it made me think of a civil war soldier - so I turned him into one. =0)

airport sketches 2

2009-08-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Unlike the little old woman drowning in her coat in my other sketch, this lady was full of grace - i caricatured the design of her hair a bit to make it less conventional, but hopefully i captured her elegance.

Left-handed Drawing...

2009-08-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

Years ago I started to draw with my wrong hand. I still do it once in a while, and for the first time I thought I'd show something like this. It forces you to be more cerebral about your process and slow down, so you kinda offset whatever loss you experience in coordination/practice. I highly recommend it.

Airport Doodles 1

2009-08-25T10:06:00.000-07:00

Back again....and with a sketchbook full of doodles. I realize I do most of my "life drawing" at the airport...with real people. I do miss scheduled life studies, but I've little time either to go or stay for poses that often repeat themselves. I enjoy seeing people in their real settings, real attitudes. Next few days I'll post a few of the sketches I did on my short trip. starting with these ... with some screwy colors added.

Boss 2

2009-08-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, you get too serious about your art. Working hard on a project, whether it be a comic or a film, does that to you, and suddenly you find yourself not having as much fun for some reason. drawing gets stale, ideas run dry. last night was one of those moments - and the only way out of it is to "play" again, with no object or goal in mind. This is a result of such play. now i feel like working again...well, after I come back from LA that is.

Smoker

2009-08-10T16:22:00.000-07:00

Lil' experiment...can't even really consider it a painting, more like a sketch in acrylic, but the wife liked it, so I didn't apply anymore color. it's about a couple of feet wide, might be cooler if it was more like 5 or 6 feet.

Back from my trip...

2009-08-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

Spent the last 10 days out in Alaska - what a beautiful place! kayaking by the glaciers and spending lots of time at sea was great. The wildlife was beautiful, saw lots of Puffins, Humpbacks, seals, otters, porpoises and even Orcas. nature is incredibly influential so i'm relaxed as can be and ready for the last big hurdle on my project. Tried not to do any art, but still did a few sketches on the cruise home - lots of retirees - they make good models so i couldn't resist.

More...

2009-07-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

yes, more messin' around with my acrylics. hmm, scanner is leaving stripes...might be time for a new one?

RedHead with a MiniSub

2009-07-29T22:11:00.000-07:00

another chick with a gun...original huh? but i guess us guys can't help ourselves!
anyhow, trying out my new acrylic paints. dries fast and much darker than than i'd like - oh well, the price of learning. embarrassed by the line - scanned and joined it cuz i couldn't find my camera.

Boss

2009-07-24T18:55:00.001-07:00

Doing some character designs - so thought I'd throw in a doodle for the blog.

"Pissed?"

2009-07-13T09:29:00.000-07:00

I think these days everyone feels that way. Job losses, depreciating assets, no money, yada yada yada...
Anyhow, was grumpy and couldn't sleep, the perfect recipe for doing art late into the night. Here's one of the grungy scribbles.

More practice

2009-07-07T14:49:00.001-07:00

Another rather quick oil sketch.

Freeplay

2009-07-06T14:18:00.000-07:00

Haven't done much free play drawing or work with a pencil for a while, so i thought i'd do both at the same time! These were done with a very blunt 6B pencil on a cheap newsprint pad, so very uninhibited.

Oil Sketches

2009-06-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

Still practicing away. total novice with oils...but it's fun and therapeutic after hours and hours in front of a computer!

A Sneak Peak !

2009-06-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

Yes, A sneak peak of things to come!

Nude!

2009-06-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

I've been bad with the updates i know, but i'm soon to revamp this site/blog, and hopefully with more regular updates. here's something yummy for the time being. enjoy!

Bang!

2009-06-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

Dont asked me what I was thinking...I wasn't. =0)

Been busy....

2009-05-09T18:09:00.001-07:00

I didnt even realize how long it's been since i've updated here. but soon, you'll know why. =0)

here's a little sketch in the meantime.

Shanghai Girl

2009-03-26T11:45:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share some stuff....that wont' make it into my project.

A grungy sketch

2009-03-15T16:40:00.001-07:00

...been feeling really stiff doing some much photoshop these days. Thought i'd loosen up a bit with some real media.

Yet Another quickie...

2009-03-11T17:22:00.000-07:00

too shiny...dont really know how to photograph this stuff

quick dirty oil...

2009-03-11T17:19:00.001-07:00

messin' around with some burnt umber and white...

WIP - Update

2009-02-10T15:29:00.001-08:00

So i kinda did some playing around digitally with the original oil . it's got an over exposed feeling, but kinda like the look.

Work In Progress

2009-01-29T12:06:00.000-08:00

On the easel....bad photo, but oh well. It's all gonna change anyways!

Nude

2009-01-25T23:16:00.000-08:00

This blog is getting some neglect due to my project, but it's Chinese New Year, so i thought i better get my act together! A sketch from the sketchbook.