Sketch #One in a series I’m going to call “Debbie learns how to draw on a tablet”
Months ago I bought a stylus for my iPad with the intention of learning how to work digitally, since that whole technology thing seems like a trend that’s here’s to stay, or whatever. Today I finally downloaded the Sketchbook app.. (I even shelled out a couple bucks for the Pro version so that I’d feel guilty if I never used it, hah.)
So let’s see how this goes. Yay learning.
The weather was beautiful in Manhattan yesterday! I stopped by Washington Square Park on my way uptown.
silentist asked: Have you ever considered illustrating a children's book? The way you draw, it has the sort of funkiness (not an insult) that reminds me of art I loved in my childhood (and now, of course) but hardly saw any of.
Yeah for sure! The NYC landmark drawings I’m working on now are actually for a children’s book / picture book about cities that I’m writing with my friend Anna. It’s a long-term project since we both have jobs and are doing this on the side, but I hope we can finish it someday and get it published or at least self-publish.
I would also love to illustrate darker/quirky children’s stories (like those of Neil Gaiman). Maybe if someday I decide to quit my design job and pursue illustration full-time I could make more stuff like this..
Grand Central beginnings
To Boston (with love): Stay strong, safe, and beautiful.
Wearing my BU shirt today and thinking about everyone back in beantown.
Just uploaded a high-res version of this to hitrecord.org if anyone’s interest in remixing
[video]
“A guilty conscience needs to confess. A work of art is a confession.” — Albert Camus (via worldoflildots)
Changed my header image for the first time since I started this blog two years ago.
alackoflogic asked: so, i was just reading the ask you answered about the school you went to. potentially, i'll soon have to make a choice between choosing a graphic design and illustration program. do you feel like illustration might have been a better choice in retrospect?
To be honest, I think I probably would have had more fun in the program and taking real illustration classes would have done me a world of good (especially in areas where I’m really weak like character design), BUT.. if I’d majored in illustration I think it would be way less likely for me to be employed/salaried and living pretty comfortably in NYC now. There just isn’t enough work out there for illustrators, unfortunately, and it’s a real struggle to carve out a living doing freelance. That being said, I really believe that if you want it badly enough (and put the work in), anyone can make a living doing what they love.
I hope that helps! Feel free to message me if you have more specific questions.
It’s hard to bake a cake when you live in the ocean #octoproblems
scrabblescribble asked: Your drawings are just fantastic! Normally I'm on and off of tumblr, but the last week or so I've been on here just to see what new drawing you put up.
Hey that’s awesome, so glad to hear when people are interested in what I’m putting up :)
alicebarbour asked: Hello! I really love your art - it sometimes reminds me of Edward Gorey - and i was just curious where you went to school? And also, do you mostly draw out of your head, from a photo reference, or from life?
Wow what a compliment - thanks! I went to Boston University for graphic design. It was a great program and I have no regrets, but I do wonder where I’d be if I’d been able to go to an art school for illustration or animation..
I draw a lot from my head but will often look up references if I’m drawing something specific that I haven’t attempted before. Lately I’ve been trying to do a lot more sketching from life too.
Yo tumblr, I’m tweeting up a storm over at http://twitter.com/debbiefongdraws !
And by that I mean, I post some “tweets” sometimes, and am trying to post “tweets” more often in order to stay hip and cool and whatnot. (Am I doing this right?)