itsvivieri blog

Ever since I started to take my illustration more seriously and consistently, I started to spent much more money investing on it. Art is an expensive hobby for me. There are many times I thought of giving up on this dream of being a full time artist but I know my heart will not let go. Ko-Fi is a platform where people can support creator/artist/musician/etc. by buying them a coffee as low as $3. I registered on Ko-fi website without much expectation, however if you decided to support me there, I would be really grateful. With your support, I would love to buy a new art supply to try on. For more than 2 years, I have only been using watercolour but I would really love to try my hand on gouache. You can find my Ko-fi account here. If you cannot support me, that is totally fine too. :)

I bought 2 items this month and feel pretty much broke. The first one is the Pentel Pocket Brush pen. I have seen so many artists on Instagram using this brush, especially Heikala (and I totally fall in love with the way she outlined! Definitely have to check out her tutorial videos) and thought I should definitely check it out. Problem is it is a damn expensive for a brush pen. After thinking over it for few months, I finally bought it. I haven't try it yet because.. well, I always have this kind of thought that expensive things are meant to be used only in special occasions. So. Anyway, I will make sure to put in some review in the future.

The second item is Adonit Pro 3. I decided to buy this stylus after feeling sad of not being able to buy the new iPad Pro with stylus and pretty much regret it the moment I brought it home (talked about bad decision when you are feeling emotional). I had actually read so much articles and blog reviews on which styluses worked the best on iPad Air 2. However, in the end I went for this Adonit Pro 3 because I just cannot find the other series that were recommended in the articles. Anyway, the stylus itself was actually working fine if you are looking for a casual usage or if you are not using iPad Air 2. However, it is quite a struggle to use for drawing which is why I would not really recommend this series for drawing purposes.

Art Supplies

- Muji Note A5 (Bullet paper)

- Buncho Fine Tech 0.3 Black Pen

- Sakura Koi Watercolor

3. My big sister was expecting a lovely daughter. It was very weird but a loving moment nonetheless because we used to grew up playing dolls as if they are real babies, talking about how many children we will have and what will be their names. And to witness how it is going to be a reality is just so surreal. Also, note on how my face lifted up in the drawing. It was because I got to touched the baby when she was moving. My sister said the baby always stopped moving the moment people touched my sister's belly (even my brother in law and my mom didn't had the chance to experience it yet!). So imagine my surprise when the baby finally started to kick the moment I touched my sister's belly. I would say it wasn't easy though. I talked to her a lot, trying to get some responses and even singing and playing some songs. And, it works!

Art Supplies:

- Muji Note A5 (Bullet paper)

- Buncho Fine Tech 0.3 Black Pen

- Sakura Koi Watercolor

This spread was inspired by the movie - The Greatest Showman. It was such a good movie. I think it touched my heart deeply because for some times, I have been thinking and struggling to follow my dream. I want to make it happen so badly but on the other hand, I am afraid. Ever since watching this movie, I have work even harder on my illustrations and I have become more open with the idea of opening commissions. There are some of other plans that I want to do in the future (but it's a secret for now, don't want to jinx anything!). Fast forward since January 2018 (it's October now), I have seen improvement on my illustrations which I feel so happy about. I hope I will continue to improve in the future.

Another thing I mentioned in this spread was my first draft sketch of Baby Lulu. Baby Lulu was my first ever sticker and illustration/design/artwork that I sell to public. And this draft was actually made when I was just mindlessly drawing. It's funny how sometimes the drawing that you made mindlessly will turned out to be a good idea.

You can download and use this sticker on LINE messenger by searching "Baby Lulu" or just click on this link.

Art Supplies:

- Muji Note A5 (Bullet paper)

- Buncho Fine Tech 0.3 Black pen

- Stabilo Point 88

You can download these sticker set from LINE store. Enjoy! x

Art Supplies:

- Fabriano Sketchbook

- Sakura Koi Watercolor 

- Buncho Fine Tech 0.3 Black pen

- Adobe Photoshop

New month, new journal. I combined the journal for June and July 2016 because there were nothing much going on in life.

From left to right, top to bottom:
1. Sparkling Wine | This was my first time tasting a wine. It was good and somehow made me feel like a high class people (ha ha!). But too bad I will not be able to drink wine too much because it causes me headache. And I read in article that it may due to having anemia. Well, I am not entirely sure on that.

2. BBQ Town

3. Apex Water Brush | Bought a new water brush. Oh how I love water brush! Anyway, this brand was cheaper than the popular Pentel brush and I thought it did a really good job. I bought this Apex and Pentel at the same time but my Pentel brush is already out of use after few times of usage because the "hair" just start to fall down. It annoyed me. However, taking aside my bad experience, I still think it is a good brush (there are many people using it!). Maybe I will try it again in the future.

4. Lexis Hibiscus | I guess this is as far as I can get to enjoy "Maldives" in Malaysia. I love the resort. It was very spacious and beautiful. There is mini pool and sauna room in the hotel room!

Art Supplies:
- Fabriano Sketchbook
- Sakura Koi Watercolor Pocket Field Sketch Box
- Apex Waterbrush
- Buncho Fine Tech 0.3 Black pen

Also, noticed the little birthday cake on the word May. That is because May is my birth month. It is always my most favourite month, well, because it's my birthday. 

From left to right, top to bottom:

1. Sakura Koi Watercolor Field set | This was a birthday present from the boyfriend. I decided to went for this brand because I have read many good reviews on this. Apparently, it is a good brand to start with if you are a beginner. I also like the idea that it can be used as watercolour or gouache depending on the water level. And it's just good because it's travel compact. The watercolour set comes with a water brush that can be sealed with water inside so you do not have to go through the hassle of bringing water when you decided to paint outside.

2. Victoria Secret "Very Sexy" | Another birthday present - this was from my cousins. To be very honest, I wasn't a fan of perfume because of the strong scent but this perfume is fine. And the scent makes me feel like a grown up woman (ha ha).

3. Belgian Chocolate | Birthday present from my close colleague

4. "Dog" Food at Betty's Midwest Kitchen, Malaysia | This is a very unique name for a food. But it was pretty delicious and addicting.

5. Tumblr | I'm finally reopen my tumblr. Although it's no longer at xiaoxiaovie.tumblr.com as per the journal, I have changed it to itsvivieri.tumblr.com

6. Snowflake | I love this dessert ice cream A LOT!

7. Bockingford Traditional Watercolor Paper | This was the first watercolour paper that I used and I'm still using it until now! That really said a lot about how small my illustrations are.

8. Fabriano Drawing Book | I bought this book thinking it will be suitable for watercolour drawing because of the thick paper (talk about newbie mistakes!). Although it did handle water quite well, but the water will not behave as how it will in an actual watercolour paper. Overall, I still really love this drawing book. I may repurchase it in the future for sketching instead.

9. Captain America | Why are the Chris so handsome? (just let me swoon here!)

Art Supplies
- Fabriano Sketchbook
- Sakura Koi Watercolor Pocket Field Sketch Box
- Sakura Koi Waterbrush

November 2016 :
1. Sumoboo - went to this very cute dessert shop in Jakarta. They offer many cute-looking ice creams and the store was just so cute. A good little shop to take photos! hha.
2. Doctor Strange - this movie was so amazing. I still can remember how the story went and even all of the scenes.
3. Fantastic Beasts

Art Supplies
- Fabriano Sketchbook
- Sakura Koi Watercolor Pocket Field Sketch Box
- Pilot G-tec-c4 Gel pen, 0.4mm