The two previous posts in this series were realistic drawings, but now for something a bit different.
I recently went to an event at a local library which had a booth by Drool Stamps. There was a selection of lovely stamps to try out, and blank bookmarks which you could customise.
I chose a shophouse stamp for my bookmark, and then painted it at home.
The colours were loosely inspired by the Sim Kwong Ho shophouses, but I took some artistic liberties.
Sometime back I drew one of my neighbourhood buildings on Balestier Road, and although it was my only such drawing at the time, I optimistically titled the post Balestier Buildings 1 because I was hoping it could be a series.
I suppose there need to be at least two to call it a series, but would I ever get round to making another drawing? If the suspense was keeping you up at night, worry no more: I hereby present the second drawing of the series.
Whampoa Colour Centre may be visually less interesting than Lam Yeo Coffee Powder Factory, but it's a part of my life because I go there to develop colour film (I process black-and-white at home).
The shop is run by a man in his 60s or early 70s ("Uncle", as we call him). One time I wanted some inkjet prints, and he said it would take about five minutes. I also needed a baguette, so I said no problem, I'll quickly pop by the bakery next door.
Uncle shook his head in exasperation. "You people, always rushing, rushing. It just take five minutes. You wait!"
I waited. Sometimes, it's good to slow down. After all, that's one reason I still shoot film too.
I live just off Balestier Road in Singapore, and I really like the street, and my neighbourhood in general. Among other things, there are quite a few buildings with real character – interesting in a quiet way. The street is eclectic (or chapalang). There are the usual shopping malls, hotels and condominiums, but also Buddhist temples, 90s-style nightclubs, durian stalls, baroque shophouses and a Chinese opera stage.
Most of Singapore is modern – at times it feels almost too modern. But Balestier has several older buildings and establishments. One of those is Lam Yeo Coffee Powder Factory, which sells ground coffee and beans. And which I decided to try and draw.
I'm hoping this can be a series, which is why I optimistically titled this post Balestier Buildings 1. This one is a fineliner sketch, but in future I might try watercolour as well.
For me, the gold standard for this type of drawing is abbillust (no relation to my friend Abbi, mentioned previously). If I could choose between painting like Raphael and drawing like Abby – I kid you not: I would choose drawing like Abby.
