Sketching since preschool, it is just recently that I managed to collect a stash of more than a hundred sketches, majority about interior architecture. It is only early this millennium in Beijing that I never throw any of my sketches. Drawn in any decent paper I can get my hands on - from butter to plain to tracing paper, I kept them all. After 5 years, I stashed them in a leather folder and brought it with me to Auckland. On my 5th day in the city, my 1st interviewer must have thought my sketches are pretty awesome I got a job right away.
Now based in New Zealand I still keep all my original sketches. Aside from a whole new bunch of my ‘crap’ in a folder, I keep a sketchbook cum scrapbook for all my conceptual studies in the office.
Last Christmas I must have been nice that my Secret Santa gave me a fabulous book - Taking a Line for a Walk with sketching by Christopher Lambert. Santa’s message… “Drawings to inspire you.” Timely, as I started to carry a visual diary everywhere I go.
During my spare time I conduct Sometime ago I conducted a regular sketch workshop with 2 students - FB an Interior Designer and VB a Graduate Architect. The workshop’s goal is to develop the skill to produce eye-catching sketches in a short period of time. After 2 sets of workshop, FB becomes confident with her work and uses her new-found skill for client presentations, even nailing a project. VB brought her sketchbook with her on a trip to Croatia and back with beautiful images of Europe and Asia.
* Though we have absolutely no intention of abandoning freehand sketches we have also embraced other means of expressing ourselves, especially with the ever-growing and evolving role of technology. Aside from the obvious software like Photoshop and AutoCAD, we’ve also embraced SketchUp, Podium ArchiCAD and InDesign.
SketchDood is a family’s collection of sketches and doodles, amateurish photography, a bit of portfolio, a visual diary and more. Antonio, the ‘kiddo’, loves pencil, colors and paper as much as we do.
Written and published 4 January 2009.
* Updated 21 May 2010.
Email me at sketchdoodATgmailDOTcom.
