Written by 
My name is Elaine Chong. I am a licensed and registered counsellor by profession and currently living in Malaysia. I was introduced to Instagram by my lovely niece last Christmas. I thought it’s a very good way to stay connected with my niece and that’s how I started my Instagram account.
At first, I had no idea what to do with my Instagram account. I just shared some doodles of mine and photos I took. In February this year, I came across the daily drawing challenge hosted by Creativebug and I thought it may be a good idea to practice my drawing skills and exercise my creative nerves a bit by taking up the challenge.
So, I started drawing daily. In order to have more fun, I started to incorporate a black cat in every theme. Why a black cat? Because my niece loves cats and I remembered my first family cat was an adorable black cat. I used to love that cat and played with it a lot during my early childhood days.
The name of my imaginary black cat, “Black Coffee” was named because I love coffee and the cat is black in color. It started to have a name when some of my Instagram friends started noticing it and asking about his name. “Sugar”, the rat, came after, and the name was actually suggested by one of my Instagram friends, as the rat has always been a very sweet friend to the cat. Black coffee does taste better with a little sugar added.
Initially, I was using watercolored pencils, uni-ball Pin drawing pens and water brush pens. Slowly, my watercolor supplies increased. Currently my favorite is the Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese watercolors set and Sakura pigma micron pens. I usually start with some pencil sketches, add outlines and shade Black Coffee with micron pen, then paint the rest with watercolor.
My inspirations mainly come from my wild imagination, and after I get the idea, I will search through the internet for relevant image references. There was a month I challenged myself to combine three different themes in one drawing. That proven to be quite effective but a bit too stressful as well, as some of the themes were really hard to get along with each other.
It’s definitely an unexpected wonderful journey, as not only have I had lots of fun drawing, I’ve met a bunch of loving kind souls on Instagram who are very kind and supportive. The encouragement I received from them is truly priceless. Currently, I am not able to draw daily as time doesn’t allow it, but I will continue drawing whenever I can and see where it takes me. My wish is to get them published one day.
A big thank you to Charlie for inviting me to be a guest artist on Doodlewash, giving me the opportunity to share the adventure of Black Coffee with Sugar here. And thank you all for reading!
Elaine Chong
Instagram
Elaine, your art is charming, so much fun, and full of whimsy. I like your sense of humor and that you created your account to stay in touch with your niece.
Thank you so much Sharon for your kind comment!!!
I agree with Sharon, your work is charming and funny, and your story is charming as well. Carry on!💕🌺
Thank you so much M. L. Kappa for your encouragement!!
Elaine, I love your sketches. so fun! 🙂
Thank you so much Jessica!! ❤️💕
Wonderful drwaing and so much fun!! I am definitely following you on Instagram
Thank you so much for your kind comment Ellie and see you on Instagram!!❤️
Wonderful illustrations! I love how characterful and whimsical and fun-filled they are. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for you kind comment Laura!! 💕💕💕
OH MY, OH MY! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your sense of humor and the drawings that express it. My highest compliment: I wish I had thought of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My biggest thank you to you too Curious to the Max!!! ❤️💕💕
Gorgeous illustrations, Elaine!
Thank you so much babybluesnowflake!! ❤️💕💕
Whimsical illustrations full of fun… great work !
Thank you so much Agnes!! ❤️💕❤️💕❤️
Great fun!
Thank you beverlydyer!! 💕❤️💕
Elaine, Black Coffee and Sugar would make a darling book!
Thank you so so much for your encouraging comment Sandra!💕 I am working towards it and looking forward for this dream to come true.💕 You have an awesome gallery too! ❤️
What fun! Yes you must write a book. I think with your imagination you could make other characters too. But finding time to do it all is not always possible. Good to see the pleasure you give.
Hi, thank you so much for your kind words and indeed, finding time to do it is my greatest challenge at the moment. Thanks again for your lovely comment!
I found this lovely article of yours !! I hope to have your book !! Big hug!
Hi Teresa, thank you so so much for your words of encouragement! I do wish to have my book published one day. By the way, Black Coffee and Sugar are still pretty much alive, like two weeks once, on my Instagram @innertreasureart . If you have an instagram account and are interested in seeing more of them, welcome to check them out there. Big huge hug!!!