Chess Parallels: Sketchbook

A conversation with a good friend led to this. I believe she posed the question, "Which move to make?" Of course she was referring to the dilemmas faced in life at the time but the question reminded me of playing Chess with my brother. A match against him required brain power and concentration, and I always had to consider all my options carefully. I replied to her with a resounding, "Checkmate!" to which her reply was that she didn't even know that she was originally in check. I was so consumed by it, because it was an echo of similar emotions I was experiencing at the time myself. I immediately picked up my Mokeskine and started sketching.

Solo chess piece on a chess board but only the possible moves of the piece visible

Forgive my little annotations. I write rather dis-jointedly when I'm sketching sometimes.  It's like talking to myself but recording the convo so I don't forget (lol) I sound so crazy!

I saw the work of Gabriella D'Abreau at her exhibition a few weeks ago. Her piece called "Street Hecklers" (I believe) was the first I saw of shadowy menacing figures in the background in watercolours that was done so amazingly! It really stood out to me not only for her technique but for the story of the piece itself and what it represented. I always thought it would be too difficult to do in watercolours so I was thinking that with a digital rendition, I might have gotten a better result much easier. However after seeing her work, that idea has been thrown out! I want to experiment with W/C on this. 

Then there is the Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland approach. When I get some time, I hope to revisit these.

My friend actually did sketches as well of her interpretation of the conversation and the chess-theme itself. She came up with something totally distinct from what I was thinking of. Like this concept but with human characters (chess piece personified). Kinda like Harry Potter's Wizard Chess.

It is so amazing to me how the mind works and how one idea/phrase if posed to a group, can be interpreted so differently by each individual. I really can't wait to see her sketches :)

My question to you, what concepts can you come up with based on the chess theme that parallels to life?

Let's make it an experiment/ challenge for those so inclined to draw/sketch as well. A....

Chess-Themed Challenge!

I'm curious to see how different people interpret the same theme. Link me to your sketches of your interpretations of it :) I would love to see how your mind works :D

Football Field: Sketchbook

I have been busy helping out at home for the holiday tomorrow. No updates on the painting but here is a sketch that I did last night in my Moleskine instead.

Because you asked for a goal for the evening sweat LJJ. 

Notebooks (Things I love #1) & New Sketch

I am a notebook addict!

A few from my collection

I absolutely adore notebooks. I love those hardcover notebooks with their gloriously thick pages. I love those with their fancy art-inspired covers. I even love those with their sleek modern black covers and soft drawing paper inside. I love how they help keep you organised, and they are so excellent when planning things. Also the pocket-sized ones are so fantastic to keep track of those little tidbits of knowledge that you need to remember at the hospital because you can't log around your textbook. (Dare I mention that I am also a big fan of stationery?)


I always purchase them with the intention of practising my writing, making lists or starting my sketchbook. However outside of their most practical functions (school and planning), I rarely use them, especially the gorgeous ones. I always think that I am going to use them when I am at the store, but when I carry them home, it boils down to me thinking that they are too pretty for my uses and that I would would spoil them.  

 New Sketch in my Moleskine Notebook

At the beginning of the week, I decided to start using my almost-new Moleskine Sketchbook. I excitedly purchased it a few years ago and never used it, but I have made up my mind to turn a new leaf. I have come to the conclusion that Sketchbooks are not about having the most perfect sketches in them, but having something to help you improve on your art and to see how far your work has progressed. Also, my new motto is no more notebook purchases until I start using what I have, so I need to get moving on finding uses for them

In this sketch, I experimented with Charcoal from my Cretacolor Sketching Set. It has certainly been a long time since I've used it.

Apparently there are other cool ways to use your own Moleskine notebooks to get the most out of them. The folks over at Freelance Switch have an awesome article about all the the tips and tricks to use them.
Click here to read more ---> The Monster Collection of Moleskine Tips, Tricks and Hacks

Are you a notebook addict like me? Please tell me there are others out there! :D If you are, how do you use your favourite notebook? Let me know in the comments below.

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