Environmental Storytelling

1)Where are you drawing? 

Sai Wan (literally means west ring, west borough or west district) in Hong Kong

Why have you chosen to draw there?

It is an old area of Hong Kong which is far from where I live. It has a lot of old buildings and historical heritages. The main age range in this district is about 50-80 so the environment and people are rather vintage.

What are you expecting to see, what is of interest to you?

I am expect to see a lot of cultural stuffs that people did in the last and still doing in Sai Wan today and it is a special area in this international city. 

What do you think you are going to draw whilst there?

 I think I am going to draw the landscape, people's daily life. Beautiful places I have never been before.

How are you going to draw? 

I am going to observe the environment first and find different spot to draw in order to experience the view in various perpectives. I take photographs and record what I have drawn in that day and interact with some people.

I was having so much fun talking to people I do not know and this is something I have never tried before. I took these picture with these cute little fellows after I drew them playing in the basketball court.

What media are you going to use?

To ease my trip to Sai Wan, I did not bring any paint. I think it might be good to just do some quick sketches and I did not plan to stop at one place for long so just by pencil and colour pencil.

What about the composition and how can it be used as storytelling device? 

I did not include much light or shadings but I think some of the perspective could really show the depth and some story behind. 

Are there famous/infamous stories about the spaces that you already know?

Not really, but it is where my grandmother lives so I am quite interested in this (un)familiar place.

Since Sai Wan is near the coastline, it is popular of seafood or preserved seafood and this is a typical preserved seafood shop in Sai Wan.

The buildings are tall and dense which is a disaster for me as I am not good at sketching buildings and architecture or straight line... I avoid drawing buildings...

2)Where are you drawing?

In a shopping mall in Hong Kong that I have never been before.

Why have you chosen to draw there?

It is interesting to explore the places I am unfamiliar with.

What are you expecting to see, what is of interest to you?

I expect to see some beautiful christmas decorations, people shopping and maybe resting.

What do you think you are going to draw whilst there?

I think I am going to draw interior and exterior scenes.

How are you going to draw?

I sat in a cafe and observe and movement, the conversation people have. In the afternoon, I sat outdoor and observe further more about the shadings and people who rest.

What media are you going to use?

Colour pencil and ink pen because they are convenient.

What about the composition and how can it be used as storytelling device?

Shadows in the garden could generate an atmosphere within the drawing and the position of the people (the character) is important in storytelling as well. I have to move instead of changing the surrounding in order to sketch a good 'story' onto the paper.

A reflection of the christmas tree decoration. Trying out different perspectives and this is one of the  sketch I like.

My favourite sketch of that day. I like it because of the composition and the shading that tell a story of that lady.

3)Where are you drawing?

Paris Airport

Why have you chosen to draw there?

Kill time during interchange and the interior design is beautiful.

What are you expecting to see, what is of interest to you?

I wish to see some people in rush, some people fall asleep and the busy and quiet moment of the airport.

What media are you going to use?

I just used pen and pencil.

What about the composition and how can it be used as storytelling device?

The spacious place allows a lot story to be told and the people all have different experience and background that I could imagine when drawing them. I have also tried to see the world in a whole new perspective which is to imagine myself as little fairy. 

 I think my sketching skill can be improved a lot more by practising daily. I can use different media and challenge myself to use them while doing life drawing. The quality of line can also be improved by taking more time sketching. I found myself impatient during live drawing and I can be easily bored when sketching details.