The pandemic has changed the lives of many. We have also learned to live with the virus in the midst of us. But our lives did not turned for the worst. Technologies have taken a quantum leap because of the pandemic while some said COVID-19 has transformed business forever. Those that have not adapted fast enough have dissipated and disappeared. For one, I welcomed the idea of staying masked all the time in public places. I know some countries have sanctioned that wearing masks is not compulsory in open areas, that of course is up to your own discretion, for your own protection. I would stay masked in public places whether open or close, it is just for your own benefits.

For Singapore, where it is crowded everywhere (even in a 'forest') and every moment, it is important wear mask to protect yourself and everyone around you. Where I stay, there are many elderly people, some who may not be vaccinated, therefore it is even more important to stay protected. Fortunately all unvaccinated people would not be allowed to eat-in even in food market where everyone congregates daily. It sounded unfair but it is essential to keep people out of the hospital and the ICU. Statistically 90% of the severely sicked from Covid-19 is people who are not vaccinated. 


This is where we get our food - Telok Blangah Drive Food Market. It is even more crowded with people jostling for their breakfast, lunch and coffee. We have to token check-in to enter and it is optional to check out when you leave. The process has become a staple since Singapore opened for dine-in, 2 first and then 5. Noone is happy about the fuss but when they saw the benefits they obliged. 

The market is cleaned more frequently and at the same time, Singapore has kicked in the 'return your tray' and 'clean after yourself' policy. Any offender would be fined. We, as Singaporeans are not so civil minded to begin with so we need the government to tell us what to do. Something that is done out of consideration and common sense is not so here. If it is done voluntarily, no one would do it. If you do it you are deemed dim witted. (LOL!)

Anyway the sketch here was done on-location as my wife and I had our breakfast. This is how we eat, communally in a alfresco kind of eating place, where you will find stalls and seats all lined up in rows and columns just like a food court. Food is cheap and affordable. We like to eat and then talk at the top of our voices, shouting across tables. But this has changed because of the pandemic. It is quieter now because we are discouraged to talk too loudly and with the masks on, we don't see saliva been spit and spilled across tables. Though crowded, I am a little happier now. People are not getting the common flu because we are all masked and protected. 

Sketchbook: Nude Journal Book (Thailand Origin)
Tools: A fude fountain pen with Platinum Carbon Black ink, coloured pencil
Digital tones: Clip Studio Paint.

"I don't care how the world is running in circles, getting and taking all the time, I'm happy where I am. The strays are my company, the pigeons my friends. There's nothing left for me here, my stoic demeanour hides my loneliness but I have learned to live with it."

I always have an affinity for screentones or halftones... probably because I love looking at the BW versions of comics in books and magazines, especially manga or Japanese comics. I don't really enjoy comics that are coloured. The colours covered all the beautiful lines that the comic artists put in so much time and effort to produce. I enjoy seeing the line art, the line quality, or even the textural quality of lines made with brushes.

When image editing programs are able to use digital halftones, I jumped onto the wagon immediately because it is so much easier to use them. Unlike in the past, I have to use a razor, and a stump for the entire process of using halftones on my artwork. I even have someone to help me with the tedious work of cutting and pasting. Moreover screentones were so rare in those days, we could hardly find any in Singapore. Friends went to Japan to get and we all share by using the photocopied versions. It was more economical that way.

When I first visited Japan, I bought a ton of those but did not use them because they are just too precious. I was just buying for the fun and sake of keeping for keepsake. Yes I am a hoarder. I have already migrated to using digital screentones so the physical ones are really just for nostalgia.

Capturing candid moments with an iPad Pro - I love sketching candid moments of people eating and chatting in restaurants and food courts, sometimes over hearing their conversation, not intentionally because most people speak out loud as if they intended their dialogue to be heard by neighbouring people in public places. Sketching people while they were standing or waiting in a line is another way I practice sketching people in different poses and gestures. My challenge is simplifying what I saw and getting as much likeness in essence as possible. It is unlike drawing people from a distance as in this case, simplification takes precedence over details. When drawing people up close, capturing likeness is getting the shapes and proportion as close to the reference as possible, if not you would be drawing an entirely different person all together.

The coffee culture is prevalent here in Singapore too, a fusion of western and eastern coffee connoisseur, sometimes blend with expert opinions of how a country should be run... but in most cases, peaceful savouring of the cafe's finest brew.

Where is the best place to go to if you want to sketch some people. I would recommend you sit in a coffeeshop or more popularly known as kopitiam in Singapore, or go to a food market and food center, order yourself a drink and sketch  away.

Coloured Pencils on sketchbook

People standing in line is my favourite. Everyone stands differently. One may rest his weight on one leg, while another would fold his arms. Everyone is dressed differently too. One great way to find out what's the fashion trend is to observe everyone in the line. I would go to a stall that has the longest line and a slow moving one too. Anyone person would stay in the line for at least 2 minutes, which is long enough to capture the gesture, the stance, the shift of his weight, his clothing, and sometimes his facial expression if you are fast enough. I would keep the facial details to a minimum unless you decide to make a portrait of the person. To do this, you may need to go up close to someone sitting or standing still for a longer period of time.

Apple Pencil on iPad Pro with Procreate

When I sketch with my iPad, I would usually not look suspicious unless someone come over to see what I'm doing. It's quite unlikely that someone would do this. Everyone plays with their iPad or smart devices all the time. Having one does not put you in the spotlight anymore. That said, someone came over when he saw me using the iPad Pro 12.9" and exclaimed loudly to me, "What are you using here? I have never seen a tablet so big before." If you want to prevent that from happening, you may now purchase the iPad Pro 9.7" which is less conspicuous.

By Don Low

Not that I wasn't enjoying the party but when everyone was engaged in a conversation, I took out my sketchbook to sketch my friends while they were eating and talking. But I wasn't being anti-social because I was listening and even nodding to acknowledge something that they have said. Fortunately my friends have accepted me as a sketcher whenever I go and they do not think I am shunning a conversation with them. To me, the whole party thing became a lot more enjoyable and friends somehow do appreciate me sketching them too.

This is my friend's daughter, who is quite the active sort and wouldn't stay in a position for too long, usually less than a minute. For most part of the drawing, I relied on my memory, and sometimes abandoned the first pose to continue with the second, and then wait for her to resume to the first

I like to sketch my friends in their various poses, and if I can capture some likeness, I would be satisfied.

Hero M86 & ink

Hero M86 & ink

Hero M86

On 35th Sketchcrawl day I happened to be not in Singapore, but was waiting for my flight back to Singapore at Charles de Gaulle airport after about an eight day stay in Paris. My wife was at a healthcare conference where her research poster was displayed, while I roamed the streets of Paris on my own for about 4 days. This would be my second trip to Paris. The first was about 10 years ago in one hot summer. Visiting Paris this period wasn’t ideal but when the sun was up, Paris was beautiful. I would visit Paris again if I have the chance to do so again. I did managed to sketch some scenes and brought back some supplies too. Sennelier yes! This sketch was done with a Pentel brush pen bought from the shop, simply my kind of tool besides the Hero.