I have since started painting religiously and I have to say that I needed more 'technical' help than expression help. There is a vast resources available to us and with advance technology, we could access documents or having a tutor in the comfort of our house. Although the sound of tele-conference and video conversation sounds aluring, we having to make use of what is available, fast, easy and most important of all, FREE.
For painting, I have to admit to the magic of YouTube. YouTube provides access to a plethora of contributors from all over the world, and the best of this service is it is in video only! So we could have 'hands-on' tutor from our desktop, showing all necessary things to the painting process.
The first contributer I'd love to highlight is adilrasheedonline. I didn't mind the fact that he doesn't have a commentary, but the observation of his techniques showed that he is genuinely talented. His method might not be the same from the basic watercolour books that we have but it doesn't mean that his method was wrong. The following is one of his brilliant videos:
Watercolor Painting of a Landscape
When we are learning, we are supposed to compare and seek knowledge from various resources so that when disputes or complications arise, we have alternatives and various resolution to address the problems. This brings to another recommended contributor from YouTube.
It is ShowMeHow Series DVD, so I assumed that this is a major project by the contributor to get things organized. The videos are very easy to follow and the explanations are awesome! Even a 10 year-old child could fathom every step.
Show Me How DVD on YouTube
The magic of resources is working perfectly with YouTube. As soon as I am finished with one contributor, I could always switch to others by looking at 'Related Videos' tab. It is such a good opportunity to increase our lifeskills without spending a dime on a teacher or tutor.
Another awesome watercolour tutorial website I've come acrossed is:
Watercolor Painting Free Lessons and Tutorials
I have to say that is incredibly easy to take up painting but we have to build the momentum and motivation to stay on it. This same principle applies to every hobby we take up and as soon as the affection for it wears away, we just leave it cold.
Till then, I will come again...Goodbye!
Note: When I was publishing this post, the video upload onto the blogspot was unsuccessful so I have to just provide the link so that you all can have direct access to it. Enjoy...
Tuesday 27 January 2009
Sunday 25 January 2009
Blog Re-structuring for 2009
The thing is, I want to make my blog as an avenue to vent my innermost feelings or opinions to the mass audience online, but I do not know who and the number of people reading the blog. However, I have been affirmative to myself on several levels of management. One of them has to do with this blog. Herewith, I give you a schedule of the upcomings of this blog.
Once a week, preferable Wednesday, I would post my philosophical thoughts. Not necessarily related to architecture and arts, but something deeply thought about and needed to be written.
Then, I would have book reviews, mostly the books I've read.
Perhaps I would enlighten everyone on the availability of such text to be discussed together.
Once a week, preferably weekends, I would post an architectural house/work/discussion. I still need to vent out my idealistic views about architecture. I have to say that there is a vast difference between academician and those who directly work after obtaining their professional degree.
Once a month, I have to make sure I have produce a substantial artwork of my own. I used to paint A LOT. Now I have to start again, like any other beginner.
Ok, those are my updates. I shall return. Please, if there is any suggestion, please voice out your ideas.
Once a week, preferable Wednesday, I would post my philosophical thoughts. Not necessarily related to architecture and arts, but something deeply thought about and needed to be written.
Then, I would have book reviews, mostly the books I've read.
Perhaps I would enlighten everyone on the availability of such text to be discussed together.
Once a week, preferably weekends, I would post an architectural house/work/discussion. I still need to vent out my idealistic views about architecture. I have to say that there is a vast difference between academician and those who directly work after obtaining their professional degree.
Once a month, I have to make sure I have produce a substantial artwork of my own. I used to paint A LOT. Now I have to start again, like any other beginner.
Ok, those are my updates. I shall return. Please, if there is any suggestion, please voice out your ideas.
Monday 19 January 2009
I am not depressed anymore!
Hello everyone...
Like the title suggested, I am not depressed anymore. I feel better and I think I am hungry for more adventures. The ending of 2008 wasnt very good for me. Despite knowing that I am basically a cliffhanger forawhile, something happened in December that made me go for the plunge into a deep blue abyss. I lurked in this abyss for a long period of time. Days seemed so long and meaningless, and nights are nightmarish and unsettled. I've developed a certain kind of insomniac nights as well. I just don't know what to do with my life anymore. Everything ended right there. I have made my way into a dead end. No one could lift me up with anything at any moment in the depression period. I guessed my circumstances has been getting along with the current not-so-good condition of global market. Both advantages and disadvantages of my predicaments have been thought about and in the end, I thought, "Hey, whatever happened wasn't so bad! What have I been doing all this time?"
See, what made me cameback from the darkhole is the fact that I have been enjoying my time around friends and families. Listening to their stories and tales. Trying to adjust and reason other people's experiences and circumstances with mine. In difficult times, we always think that we are the worst, our accident is the worst a person could handle. Then I read more books of mine, trying to scrutinize the gist of each stories I devoured. Every book I picked up has a moral value to it. If it doesnt have one, I'll try to relate one with the book. I have been strategising my life in the future as well. I think if I haven't had this break, I wouldn't have thought that far into my future. I thought very very hard about what I wanted in life. I meant, what I REALLY REALLY wanted in life. Yes, so far I am satisfied with it but there are a few aspects that I have to improve. Improvement is good, meaning that I am willing to change to get to the goal I desired.
BUT, what made me really really feel good was the fact that I picked up a brush for the first time after 8 years! The biggest procrastinator has done the very thing she wishes she had kept for so long. I will show you what my drawing looked like. No, its not good yet but with practice, I am pretty sure I can be as good as I used to be. I used to paint since 12 years of age but by 18 I have stopped doing so because of Architecture (read: Architecture screwed up my life). The media I chose to paint was watercolour. Why Watercolour? Watercolour is deemed the hardest media to draw with due to its translucent and soluble material. Too much water is too wet, or too little water tend to drag on the paper. I like this kind of complexities because of its technical aspects. See, to achieve perfection, you have to practice. To be able to practice correctly, you have to refer to great exercise or 'accomplised' exercise. Exercises that worked. Not just doodling blindly on the paper, but do something with affirmative objectives. So when I started, I thought, I need to practice on the handling of the washes so I used up first 3 pages of Not (Cold Pressed Paper) just doing 'skies', 'hills' and 'body of water'. The washes were important in my development to familiarise myself with the brushes and washes technique. Then I did little 'objects' on the same paper. Just with a medium brush, drawing the details testing my stroke, testing myself of how well I can manage with the size of the brush. Not too well on that but the first big thing I did was the traditional composition of a Malay House. The picture I had was taken way back in 2005, the house was in Terengganu when we had an architectural excursion. So I did a little bit of pencil outline, used Art Masking Fluid to protect white areas and -voila!- there you go. This is the proudest of my work at the moment.
The Malay House is my first and there will be more to come. I wish that one day painting will also be my forte, alongside being an architect/designer. I appreciate art and nature and I just love beautiful inventions. I will post more drawings and paintings.
Have a nice day!
Like the title suggested, I am not depressed anymore. I feel better and I think I am hungry for more adventures. The ending of 2008 wasnt very good for me. Despite knowing that I am basically a cliffhanger forawhile, something happened in December that made me go for the plunge into a deep blue abyss. I lurked in this abyss for a long period of time. Days seemed so long and meaningless, and nights are nightmarish and unsettled. I've developed a certain kind of insomniac nights as well. I just don't know what to do with my life anymore. Everything ended right there. I have made my way into a dead end. No one could lift me up with anything at any moment in the depression period. I guessed my circumstances has been getting along with the current not-so-good condition of global market. Both advantages and disadvantages of my predicaments have been thought about and in the end, I thought, "Hey, whatever happened wasn't so bad! What have I been doing all this time?"
See, what made me cameback from the darkhole is the fact that I have been enjoying my time around friends and families. Listening to their stories and tales. Trying to adjust and reason other people's experiences and circumstances with mine. In difficult times, we always think that we are the worst, our accident is the worst a person could handle. Then I read more books of mine, trying to scrutinize the gist of each stories I devoured. Every book I picked up has a moral value to it. If it doesnt have one, I'll try to relate one with the book. I have been strategising my life in the future as well. I think if I haven't had this break, I wouldn't have thought that far into my future. I thought very very hard about what I wanted in life. I meant, what I REALLY REALLY wanted in life. Yes, so far I am satisfied with it but there are a few aspects that I have to improve. Improvement is good, meaning that I am willing to change to get to the goal I desired.
BUT, what made me really really feel good was the fact that I picked up a brush for the first time after 8 years! The biggest procrastinator has done the very thing she wishes she had kept for so long. I will show you what my drawing looked like. No, its not good yet but with practice, I am pretty sure I can be as good as I used to be. I used to paint since 12 years of age but by 18 I have stopped doing so because of Architecture (read: Architecture screwed up my life). The media I chose to paint was watercolour. Why Watercolour? Watercolour is deemed the hardest media to draw with due to its translucent and soluble material. Too much water is too wet, or too little water tend to drag on the paper. I like this kind of complexities because of its technical aspects. See, to achieve perfection, you have to practice. To be able to practice correctly, you have to refer to great exercise or 'accomplised' exercise. Exercises that worked. Not just doodling blindly on the paper, but do something with affirmative objectives. So when I started, I thought, I need to practice on the handling of the washes so I used up first 3 pages of Not (Cold Pressed Paper) just doing 'skies', 'hills' and 'body of water'. The washes were important in my development to familiarise myself with the brushes and washes technique. Then I did little 'objects' on the same paper. Just with a medium brush, drawing the details testing my stroke, testing myself of how well I can manage with the size of the brush. Not too well on that but the first big thing I did was the traditional composition of a Malay House. The picture I had was taken way back in 2005, the house was in Terengganu when we had an architectural excursion. So I did a little bit of pencil outline, used Art Masking Fluid to protect white areas and -voila!- there you go. This is the proudest of my work at the moment.
The Malay House is my first and there will be more to come. I wish that one day painting will also be my forte, alongside being an architect/designer. I appreciate art and nature and I just love beautiful inventions. I will post more drawings and paintings.
Have a nice day!
Sunday 11 January 2009
6 New Year's Resolutions
During the sensation of getting into the new number of 2009, I've been thinking a lot about what my objectives would be this year. Well, here we go:
1. Be a better muslimah - I'll pray more, I'll savour more of religious moments, as I believed that there is always room for improvement. I have to say that 2008 was better than the year before but 2009 I'll try very very very hard to do even more. The feeling of triumph and satisfaction will be felt more with our action doing so. I've put the whole quran in my iPod, listening to it every now and then. I've been to the mosque a tad more than the year before. Well, however, I think I just have to do even more... ^_^
2. To finish my Master's degree - in any way I should or could, I must obtain a degree by this year. Either its hard or not, its a different story but it is indeed possible. I am tired of being in the dualistic position between being-my-own-person-and-responsible-for-my-own-living and help-I-still-need-daddy's-assistance. First position was acheived halfway last year when I started having a part-time job but this year I think I will be on the second position for a little while.
3. Try getting a real job to last - I just wish that I would not fall into the 'unemployed' group just yet. I have to say that I have 'loyalty' attached to my last name but sometimes people liked 'advantages' than the traditional 'trust'. So my days in limbo now consists of learning new things from the internet and read more books. I just have to finish one thing at a time to move on. A website would be good, or even the traditional portfolio.
4. Read more memorable books and keep a quote notebook - I executed the initiation of this one today. I bought myself a notebook so that I can jot down my favourite quotes from the books I've read. Maybe soon enough I can put up a website for it eh? Hopefully. =) Memorable books...well, not really but just books. I need to read the books in my cupboard back home so that I can shift them to the universal shelves to be shared by everyone.
5. To be more tidy and hands-on - This one refers to my homemaking skills. I have to say that I am a super-grub. I never fold my clothes straightaway after the washing has dried on the lines, it is hard for me to clean up a table after I used it. Well, sometimes I do whenever I felt like it, but the felt-like-it-moments would come about 10 times in a year. Homemaking skills needed practice and I am re-educating myself on this. I've planted some herbs in the garden, I've got myself a flower, and a few cactus. I've got bleach markings on my shirt(a sign of my hardwork), LOL.
6. ORGANISATION!!! - from number 5, we can conclude that organisation is vital to make things work. While I can be a goddess for making parties work, I am not sure about homemaking. Its the same to all of us. While we can make some work, we cant be all Miss Perfect and expected to handle all dirty stuffs with clean hands. I need to re-organise, and more organising. I need to make sure everything falls into its place, and if anything would go wrong, perhaps I should prepare some cushions for it too.
Well, I think 6 resolutions are hard enough to achieve, let alone 10. So all of us have to be grateful that we have achieved even one, or two of the list. One thing I know about making resolution is: make it possible to achieve!!! Dont go around thinking - I can be perfect because nobody can! We think we are already but our parents or friends may think otherwise.
Thats it. I'm going to do these 6 now! Till we meet again. Toodles...
1. Be a better muslimah - I'll pray more, I'll savour more of religious moments, as I believed that there is always room for improvement. I have to say that 2008 was better than the year before but 2009 I'll try very very very hard to do even more. The feeling of triumph and satisfaction will be felt more with our action doing so. I've put the whole quran in my iPod, listening to it every now and then. I've been to the mosque a tad more than the year before. Well, however, I think I just have to do even more... ^_^
2. To finish my Master's degree - in any way I should or could, I must obtain a degree by this year. Either its hard or not, its a different story but it is indeed possible. I am tired of being in the dualistic position between being-my-own-person-and-responsible-for-my-own-living and help-I-still-need-daddy's-assistance. First position was acheived halfway last year when I started having a part-time job but this year I think I will be on the second position for a little while.
3. Try getting a real job to last - I just wish that I would not fall into the 'unemployed' group just yet. I have to say that I have 'loyalty' attached to my last name but sometimes people liked 'advantages' than the traditional 'trust'. So my days in limbo now consists of learning new things from the internet and read more books. I just have to finish one thing at a time to move on. A website would be good, or even the traditional portfolio.
4. Read more memorable books and keep a quote notebook - I executed the initiation of this one today. I bought myself a notebook so that I can jot down my favourite quotes from the books I've read. Maybe soon enough I can put up a website for it eh? Hopefully. =) Memorable books...well, not really but just books. I need to read the books in my cupboard back home so that I can shift them to the universal shelves to be shared by everyone.
5. To be more tidy and hands-on - This one refers to my homemaking skills. I have to say that I am a super-grub. I never fold my clothes straightaway after the washing has dried on the lines, it is hard for me to clean up a table after I used it. Well, sometimes I do whenever I felt like it, but the felt-like-it-moments would come about 10 times in a year. Homemaking skills needed practice and I am re-educating myself on this. I've planted some herbs in the garden, I've got myself a flower, and a few cactus. I've got bleach markings on my shirt(a sign of my hardwork), LOL.
6. ORGANISATION!!! - from number 5, we can conclude that organisation is vital to make things work. While I can be a goddess for making parties work, I am not sure about homemaking. Its the same to all of us. While we can make some work, we cant be all Miss Perfect and expected to handle all dirty stuffs with clean hands. I need to re-organise, and more organising. I need to make sure everything falls into its place, and if anything would go wrong, perhaps I should prepare some cushions for it too.
Well, I think 6 resolutions are hard enough to achieve, let alone 10. So all of us have to be grateful that we have achieved even one, or two of the list. One thing I know about making resolution is: make it possible to achieve!!! Dont go around thinking - I can be perfect because nobody can! We think we are already but our parents or friends may think otherwise.
Thats it. I'm going to do these 6 now! Till we meet again. Toodles...
Sunday 4 January 2009
Part Two of In the wake of New Year 2009: How Architecture Screws Up My Life
PART TWO
So if my New Year a little moderate, not for my much thought-about architectural ambitions. Although the title was 'How Architecture Screws Up My Life', it is about how my full potential was achieved by learning architecture.
Architecture to me is a dogma. To learn architecture, one must acquire architectural language, thus making one eligible to mingle around architectural personals who speak the same lingo and jargon. Having said that, that notion was a basic towards all type of gained knowledge. I am not going into philosophy yet, as I could but my rambling today was ignited by Adam Sharr's book entitled Heidegger for Architects.
The first chapter of the book tells us about the journey Heidegger went through during his mountain walks. It had the same feeling when I was in the first year, 2nd semester of my architectural education. My lecturer, Mr. Mior Shahriman said, the trip to Gua Tempurung was to make us learn about appreciation of space. Space has to be experienced! Space has to be made to accomodate the needs of human, or rather, the human has to accomodate the space for his needs.
My thoughts of this went from Heidegger, Norburg-Schulz and Kevin Lynch. Kevin Lynch wrote about 5 things that make an image of a city; Path, Edges, Districts, Nodes, Landmarks. Almost all the factors have to be experienced before being identified as sentimental to the users of a city. These things are vital in making architecture of the city.
Again, space has to be formulated to fit the locality. Heidegger said space is prove for existentialism of beings (or Beings). However, if we dont experience, are we less of an architect? Some people refuse to let themselves open to new avenues. I've known these people, I've across them in life and I felt sorry for them for they are denying the nature of human inquisitive curiosity.
This is how much Architecture Screws Me Up:
1. I felt that if I wont be an architect I'll let everyone down.
2. As much as I want to design all of my life, I FEAR rejection and non-believers in my great ideas.
3. EVERY SINGLE THING has to connnect to architecture or arts.
4. I am dying of hunger of knowledge from renowned architects... whom I wish their ideas and works could be easily obtained.
5. I laughed at excessive calculation of Mathematics. I just love doodling on my notepad!
My way of ushering New Year this year brings more opportunity for me in Architecture. Despite the world economic crisis, I believed that I can do this and perform in anyway I want. Till then, I'll be back with more Heidegger's existentialism and Husserl's phenomenology.
Toodles my architectural comrades. May the drawings be with you!!!
So if my New Year a little moderate, not for my much thought-about architectural ambitions. Although the title was 'How Architecture Screws Up My Life', it is about how my full potential was achieved by learning architecture.
Architecture to me is a dogma. To learn architecture, one must acquire architectural language, thus making one eligible to mingle around architectural personals who speak the same lingo and jargon. Having said that, that notion was a basic towards all type of gained knowledge. I am not going into philosophy yet, as I could but my rambling today was ignited by Adam Sharr's book entitled Heidegger for Architects.
The first chapter of the book tells us about the journey Heidegger went through during his mountain walks. It had the same feeling when I was in the first year, 2nd semester of my architectural education. My lecturer, Mr. Mior Shahriman said, the trip to Gua Tempurung was to make us learn about appreciation of space. Space has to be experienced! Space has to be made to accomodate the needs of human, or rather, the human has to accomodate the space for his needs.
My thoughts of this went from Heidegger, Norburg-Schulz and Kevin Lynch. Kevin Lynch wrote about 5 things that make an image of a city; Path, Edges, Districts, Nodes, Landmarks. Almost all the factors have to be experienced before being identified as sentimental to the users of a city. These things are vital in making architecture of the city.
Again, space has to be formulated to fit the locality. Heidegger said space is prove for existentialism of beings (or Beings). However, if we dont experience, are we less of an architect? Some people refuse to let themselves open to new avenues. I've known these people, I've across them in life and I felt sorry for them for they are denying the nature of human inquisitive curiosity.
This is how much Architecture Screws Me Up:
1. I felt that if I wont be an architect I'll let everyone down.
2. As much as I want to design all of my life, I FEAR rejection and non-believers in my great ideas.
3. EVERY SINGLE THING has to connnect to architecture or arts.
4. I am dying of hunger of knowledge from renowned architects... whom I wish their ideas and works could be easily obtained.
5. I laughed at excessive calculation of Mathematics. I just love doodling on my notepad!
My way of ushering New Year this year brings more opportunity for me in Architecture. Despite the world economic crisis, I believed that I can do this and perform in anyway I want. Till then, I'll be back with more Heidegger's existentialism and Husserl's phenomenology.
Toodles my architectural comrades. May the drawings be with you!!!
Part One of In the wake of New Year 2009: How Architecture Screws Up My Life
Well, it was supposed to be two articles but I think it will be worthy to be put together as a complement for each other. See, I welcomed 2009 with open arms, putting every bad thing behind me.
Define bad things: depression, sadness, regret, anger, etc... in short, all the things that doesnt contribute to my Positive Mental Attitude.
PART ONE
First thing first, let see what I did on New Years Eve. We celebrated a friend's birthday on the last day of the year and about 8-ish at night I made my way up to Eureka Tower in Melbourne. It was designed by Fender Katsalidis architect, and it is the tallest residential building in the world. Further readings can be found at the end of this post.
On the 88th floor of the tower we had our small party. The view from up there was breathtaking! The whole floor provided 360deg view of Melbourne. The only downside that night is I didnt bring my other 75-300mm VR lense with me, so I have to be content with the basic lense I had, which works great anyway.
My favourite shot of the night have to be this one:
Fireworks that followed:
The picture of the sunset was the first shot of the evening, whilst setting up the camera and scrutinizing the building's weird positioning for beautiful views.
The horizontal picture shows the fireworks along the Yarra River. Fed Sq is a little hidden behind the first firework on the left and a bit of Hamer Hall can be seen on the bottom right of the frame. The vertical picture is another firework which was bigger and more spectacular than the Yarra River display, which was set up near the Royal Botanical Gardens. Correct me if I'm wrong but we had a little dispute of the name of the particular garden. Look up on Google Map and you'll know why.
So the ushering of New Year was much welcomed as I wish to cleanse the much regretted version of myself. I have been picking up a lot of books on philosophy and architecture. Just like the blog's name, it offers me more sublime thoughts, taking me back to the basic of ethics and morality to conduct and dictate my life.
Resolutions? Yes, I do have definite ones. Let see...
1. Finish uni! I have been in uni longer than I can remember. Gosh...cant wait to get it over with.
2. Getting some strong philosophy background, in regards with architecture
3. Mastering technical language of the web. Yes, I want to make my own website and things related to that.
4. Opps, I also needed to learn more 3D programs for my architecture development.
So yeah, that is what we have for 2009.
Links:
On Eureka Tower by Karl Fender:
http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_future/Transcripts/s661686.htm
Define bad things: depression, sadness, regret, anger, etc... in short, all the things that doesnt contribute to my Positive Mental Attitude.
PART ONE
First thing first, let see what I did on New Years Eve. We celebrated a friend's birthday on the last day of the year and about 8-ish at night I made my way up to Eureka Tower in Melbourne. It was designed by Fender Katsalidis architect, and it is the tallest residential building in the world. Further readings can be found at the end of this post.
On the 88th floor of the tower we had our small party. The view from up there was breathtaking! The whole floor provided 360deg view of Melbourne. The only downside that night is I didnt bring my other 75-300mm VR lense with me, so I have to be content with the basic lense I had, which works great anyway.
My favourite shot of the night have to be this one:
Fireworks that followed:
The picture of the sunset was the first shot of the evening, whilst setting up the camera and scrutinizing the building's weird positioning for beautiful views.
The horizontal picture shows the fireworks along the Yarra River. Fed Sq is a little hidden behind the first firework on the left and a bit of Hamer Hall can be seen on the bottom right of the frame. The vertical picture is another firework which was bigger and more spectacular than the Yarra River display, which was set up near the Royal Botanical Gardens. Correct me if I'm wrong but we had a little dispute of the name of the particular garden. Look up on Google Map and you'll know why.
So the ushering of New Year was much welcomed as I wish to cleanse the much regretted version of myself. I have been picking up a lot of books on philosophy and architecture. Just like the blog's name, it offers me more sublime thoughts, taking me back to the basic of ethics and morality to conduct and dictate my life.
Resolutions? Yes, I do have definite ones. Let see...
1. Finish uni! I have been in uni longer than I can remember. Gosh...cant wait to get it over with.
2. Getting some strong philosophy background, in regards with architecture
3. Mastering technical language of the web. Yes, I want to make my own website and things related to that.
4. Opps, I also needed to learn more 3D programs for my architecture development.
So yeah, that is what we have for 2009.
Links:
On Eureka Tower by Karl Fender:
http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_future/Transcripts/s661686.htm
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