Written by Uhky-Uhky, that is what my friends call me. And before anything else, I’d like to thank Doodlewash, especially Charlie O’Shields, for inviting me to be featured on his website! I am a Filipino Interior Designer based in Singapore with my wife and my two children.
I have always been very passionate when it comes to sketching since I was a kid. Though many times, it was a reason to get away with some house work. My parents were both teachers and are equally supportive as my family now, towards my hobby.
And this is my story… though my work requires me to design, my passion for art was in a roller coaster. I kind of lost my edge a few years back, the urge to draw and to sketch.
Until late last year, I have been sketching non-stop, in almost every opportunity I have. As little time as I have on lunch breaks, I always make it a point to sketch at least something, “a sketch a day” of anything. And I’ve never missed joining Urban Sketchers Singapore’s sketch-walk every month and their ad hoc sketching trips around the city every Saturday with my cousin who actually introduced me to this group.
I started with pen and ink, like most of us in urban sketching with architectural background. I focused more on the proportion and height on human figures, cars against structures while trying to get the right tone and texture- light, medium and heavy ink density to tell when a structure or a figure is near or far while being more conscious on shades and shadows. It was all about layering.
A few months later, I have gained the confidence to try watercolor again and it was one of those critical moments whether to decide and stay with pen and ink or to continue with watercolor. After several attempts while keeping my urge to draw, I came to recognize that watercolor for a beginner, will work out when you simplify objects and shapes- it’s practically going back to basics- the process of determining the big and prominent shapes first and foremost before going into smaller objects in order to compliment. Keeping in mind, it is only an impression of an object and it’s always been about simplification.
When things are easier to comprehend and understand mainly because it is simple, then then the rest will just follow, e.g., techniques, shadows, composition, colors.
Being creative, I believe personally, comes from these pointers that I am still trying to keep, solve, and develop respectively, every time I do my art piece…. URGE, LAYERING, and SIMPLIFY.
Opps…and have FUN along the way! Keep on Sketching! With your right hand and perhaps with your left hand on your next art piece! A trick we use to loosen up a sketch.
Uhky- uhky
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OMG – absolutely blown away! Love your work! Thanks for sharing Charlie
Thank you so much jodi…i am really thrilled knowing you like it.
I love the loose overflow of faint washes – like a tinted haze around your skyscrapers and pagoda – really gorgeous.
Hello:-) thank you so much. The pagoda at Thian hock keng chinese temple is one my favourite piece too. This is just one of the many ” must go” places in singapore.
Hi Uhky Uhky, as you know I have been following your art on FB for a while and I was very pleased to see you featured in Doodlewash to discover who is that famous painter keeping the urge…I really like your style as you simplify shapes and your choice of colour is always fascinating. You make it so simple but to simplify it is soooo difficult… Thanks for your great art and uplifting story…
Hi agnes, its been a year since i started this journey ..and it has a great effect on me personally, positively. Thanks to people like yourself…your words of encouragement has always been the source for me to carry on the urge to sketch…thank you once again, i’m really glad. cheers!
Stunning work – really astonishing and inspiring – thanks so much for sharing and to Charlie for the introduction. Off to look at these again! So much to learn from here!
Thank you so much john…i am so delighted to know that you like it.
john….,,i’ve seen your twiiter and fb accounts and they are fantastic!..enjoyed going though with your narratives.
Very inspiring..thanks for sharing! Just loved the use of colors.
Thank you sree…colors just enhances the moods..and im glad you felt it 🙂
Speechless. your work is so beautiful.
Glad to know you find it beautiful and perhaps pleasing 🙂 thank you
I love your layering…so rich. (K)
thank you memadtwo…really glad you love it
What a wonderful work! love the fresh colors 👍🏼
thank you 🙂 cheers!
Your works are stunning!!
Thank you D-cosystem, nice to hear it from you.
Very strong work with an original approach to urban sketching. I love it. Please post on Instagram! 😊
Thank you M.L Kappa, it’s a good way and approach when doing watercolor sketching…. and you can see it obviously on my work 😉 But in any ways, i’m glad that you find it strong and vigorous perhaps- that’s is how i always wanted to infuse into some of my piece.
Unky Unky Love the name to start! and love your artistic talent. Your paintings are amazing. I’m trying to find my way back to my art/watercolors and having a hard time getting myself going. I now realize that it all takes concentration, patience and organization in thought and process. Your article is very inspiring, and I thank you and Charlie for keeping art alive.
Thank you Maritza. we are on the same page, i do believe that it will take some patience and concentration from the beginning to end. however, if you put some fun into it, and making it your own 😉 …..it will make a huge difference as you see it from the end result. it’ll become very personal and its fulfilling after all.
Uhky Uhky, your skill at conveying perspective, not only by lines converging on a vanishing point but also by the subtle shadows that play from one side to another and the change in values of color, is masterful. Each of your paintings is rich with detail and energy, cities alive with activity. I especially like the touches of wires overhead, archways, windows, lampposts, and roof details, as these identify the personality of a particular place. I feel like I’m on tour and it’s wonderful to see the sights.
Hi Sharon, nice to hear those words coming from you. Thank you so much for such wonderful description of my pieces based on what you see and feel …it keeps me going… Uhky-uhky
wow what a woderful work with water colors
Thank you veerpal..you make my day with your compliment:-)
Great work!!! Wonderful………….
thank you magnum….appreciate it 😉
I follow you on Facebook, now here, I love your looseness and the power of your colors, those shades oh my!! 😃 a great inspiration for me, thanks
thank you so much lizvargasart…much appreciated
Beautiful💗
thank you…:)
Truly masterfully painted and handled so confidently!
Absolutely love your depth in the picture plane!
Simply amazing…. sincerely!!!
And the way you easily convey a bright sunshine and contrasting shadows is my favorite thing to paint although elusive in the beginner.
I’m glad that you like my work..keep the urge..keep on painting. Thank you
Lovely urban scenes!
Thank you..:-)