sketch: fishing the shoreline

This is my sketch showing that if you are in the right position, then you would have the advantage to catch fish. Fish get spooked very easily from predators that cast a shadow from the shoreline. They are fearful of not only humans per se, but also of birds, racoons, bears, and whatever else that can lunge from behind the cattails and have a taste for fresh sushi.

Last week, I caught a nice-sized White Perch in this manner, pictured, using a worm on a fish-finding rig.

So if you want to better your chances in fishing, just keep in mind the location of the sun in relation to you and your target.

Also, try to cast as far as you can to where the fish are because they can see you better than you can see them. The water surface serves as a giant wide angle lens, viewed from below. And so the fish can say, “Peek-a-boo, I see you.”

sketch: painted turtle

It was so warm this early Spring, I took the canoe out several times, already, and had many a turtle sighting, giant elder ones to little coin-sized ones. They were enjoying the sun just as much as people do at the beach.

Do you think turtles are slow? Well, try approaching them while they are basking on a lake side. Blink an eye and you may miss it. Zoom! They will dive and disappear faster than you can say “turtle soup”.

I drew this turtle on an iPad, using a stylus. This kind of method creates a different feel. It will never replace the good ol’ paper and pencil.

Can you tell which of my drawings, on my blog, were done with an iPad? (Hint: those iPad drawings were done this year.)

illustration: manatee island

Welcome to Manatee Island!

May you spend this long holiday weekend relaxing with friends and family.  Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all.

sketch: cow

I don’t get many opportunities to draw a cow, but when I saw this guy, I had to sketch it because it was unique-looking.

In the beautiful vista of Escalante, Utah, I came across a herd of cows that were roaming free, grazing along the road, and looking all cuddly, as if they knew they were a part of the view. Utah doesn’t joke when they say “Scenic Byway” on the road signs. One can go from the red rock desert to the snow covered mountains within a few hours drive. Utah is a whole other amazing world.

Even the cows look different from the cows I am accustomed to in New York state. These guys are adorned with cool hairdos, thick and curly. They just look happy in their open environment, being so free and so handsome.

illustration: tug boat

sketch: chinese dragon

2012 is the Year of the Dragon, and the dragon symbolizes the luckiest year on the Chinese calendar. So let’s make it a great one!

illustration: stone crab

The first time I heard about the Stone Crab was when I was in Miami, Florida.  Apparently, they are a favorite dish down there.  When they are caught, the trick is to just take their claws, so that the crustacean can live on and grow back the claw.  Poor crabs.  What a life.

This is the third crab I’ve done in watercolor, in addition to the Blue Crab and the Dungeness Crab.

little new york

Featured on WNYC with other artists, I created a map of New York, indicating the locations of different ethnicities, including Puerto Rican, Thai, Greek, and more.

illustration: giant octopus vs pirate ship (v2)

In the 17th century, there is a story in the high seas, where many a sailor’s life was swept away, not by the hurricanes and white squalls of the angry oceans, but rather, by a great sea creature, known as the Giant Octopus.

As night falls, the monster’s tentacles slithers aboard the Buccaneer, capturing every sailor, one by one, as a scrumptious morsel. Even the courageous captain defends his honor, with scimitar in hand, only to go down with his ship.

This is an updated version 2 of my illustration.

illustration: giant octopus

In the 17th century, there is a story in the high seas, where many a sailor’s life was swept away, not by the hurricanes and white squalls of the angry oceans, but rather, by a great giant sea creature, known as the Giant Octopus.

At night fall, each of its tentacles slithers aboard the Buccaneer, capturing every man as a scrumptious meal. Even the courageous captain defends his honor, with scimitar in hand, only to go down with his ship.