Okay. So I went to my first official sketching class since last summer.
I did not exactly sketch a cone; instead I sketched a nose.

My teacher taught me to think in a new way. I used to regard sketching as putting together a series of lines, starting with the easiest part, then link the lines to other parts. Kind of like copying a map (my attempt in Chinese history class). Of course I could do that. But then the results often seemed not in proportion.
I guess that was because I sketched what I thought I was seeing, but not what I actually saw. The teacher told me to make shapes first; the whole nose bridge and nose formed a long, slanted rectangle, and also a smaller, horizontal one. I started like that, and tried to transform the images in front of me to shapes. This helped me know clearly which was which, and where things went.
What a big relief it was to me...
For a person who had done Chinese painting for years, sketching seemed so insecure. Yet I'm starting to feel better about the practice.

I am back from a two-day trip in Macau, a trully beautiful place. So close to Hong Kong and yet so different, with its colourful architecture and, of course, food.
Did some sketching there: a lamp from a restaurant, a sitting statue near the sea, playing the cello...I hope continuous sketching can help improve my way of seeing things, and reproducing them on paper. Or computer.
By the way, my 'real" sketching lessons are starting tommorow. Actual sit-down-and-sketch-the-cone-in-front-of-you-kind. Anticipation=] For me, learning to draw is really important since I believe that visual creativity and presentation can be enhanced by skills.
-Did I just type that sentence...?
Anyway. The days ahead are going to be fun. Kind of reflecting. Sharing, even, if someone's actually reading my blog.

Macau photos:

Just bought a Cachet Sketchbook, the kind I've been wanting since I've found out that many sketchers prefer to use a book without a spiral bound.
A feature of the sketchbook that makes me feel good: It feels like a book. Sounds like nonsense, but I really like the fact that I am holding a book with a black hardcover and a pocket-sized body(how do you call that...?), which I can bring with me almost everywhere I travel to. Also, I don't need to feel uneasy because of drawing in a book that says "SKETCHBOOK"on it--I'd feel like I have to draw very good pictures, in case somebody looks over my shoulder...

I made this quite a long time ago, but since the scanner was broken I couldn't get it up here.

The process of drawing was FUN.

This was done using a black ballpoint pen(a very cheap and wonderfully useful one) I use for writing, homework and sketching. I didn't pay much attention to drawing techniques this time, and wasn't careful with the lines, but I find myself happy with the overall outcome...you know, randomness.

Exams finished. Finally. Now we are all wondering whether the government would announce that because of the increasing reports of the new flu, we would all have to stop going to school.
I have committed myself to writing everyday for one week's time, and have found it very difficult. When you make a promise to yourself, it's so easy to break it because you don't feel the responsibility.
I also learned a couple of things today:
a) Do things as soon as possible (best when you just thought of doing them), and efficiency may be enhanced. You don't risk forgetting an hour later, and you save time.
b) When encountering a problem, try not just stop dead and say, okay I'll do it again tonight. Because there are times when people really don't answer calls, and even if you call again that night they don't answer. There is no reason for waiting and telling yourself, now nothing can be done! They won't be able to tell you their email addresses! You won't be able to send that important email! What you can do is think up of another way to do it; for today's situation, I just decided to print copies of the document and give them those tomorrow.
I know it's not the best solution (probably very not suitable for people who have real jobs out there--I'm still in school, you know), but it saved me from waiting all night and making excuses for not finishing the task. Also, this helps the teacher/the captain/the "boss" feel comfortable, because they'd know that you can do it anyway, and things should be okay.

I was just wandering around when I found this wonderful site. It shows a really huge amount of stunning graphics.
Just thought we might all gain inspiration.