Sketch Blog
Vivid and inviting colors, blended with carefully crafted designs. Exciting and visually appealing illustrations, with those little extras that makes you smile.
Fatawa
Posted on January, 30 2008 at 01 PM
By my rough estimate and understanding, the term “fatawa” is intended to refer to the Islamic rulings on a contemporary question or inquiry that cannot be directly answered by a verse in the Qur’an. It seems to be the attempt of the Islamic faith to provide for their devote people a way to fully understand and abide by the rules and regulations given to them by Allah, in spite of the fact that culture, technology and entertainment are frequently changed and certain concerns may not have been directly addressed in the Qur’an.
Why, you might ask, does it matter what “fatawa” means and what it is intended to answer? To you, the occasional reader of this Sketch Blog and, frankly, to me as well, it probably does not matter. It is probably of little consequence and importance. But it just so happens that, while riding in a car with a friend this weekend, I found among the magazines on their floor a copy of the “Al Jumuah” magazine. “Your guide to Islamic life”, is what the cover read. She had gotten the magazine from an elementary student … not because of its contents, but because of the “pretty flowers on the cover”.
While reading through the magazine to pass the time on the short travel we were on, the article that most caught my attention, besides the editor’s introductory “Growing Marriage for a Lifetime”, was the “Fatawa”. In it were fascinatingly detailed rulings (by the AMJA … Assembly of Muslim Jurist of America) on how one must handle contemporary issues such as “body tattooing” (despite the propensity for youth to seek them) and “growing a beard in prison” (even though it would surely mean ridicule and persecution in our current stereotype-driven society). The one contemporary issue discussed in the article that was most intrigued me was that of “listening to music” and what the ruling was regarding its use for entertainment. Here is something from the article:
links for 2008-01-30
Posted on January, 30 2008 at 12 PM
- Online Customer Care
Day 2008-1-5
Posted on January, 29 2008 at 05 PM
For my Jodie:
“the ocean’s tide; it is calmed.
the push of breeze; it is stilled.
time itself finds a stopping place.
In the moments when you are gone,
Life is weak.”
“And breathing; it is hard.
the flow of feeling; it is numb.
The mind has found a different pace.
This heart I suffer and bear
has an aching beat.”
“Love is life and in the seek of what’s
fleeting, love in its strength
will stop the heart of beating.”
Sorry that this piece is less sketching and more writing, but that is what came out when I put pencil and pen to paper. ;)
Day 2008-1-4
Posted on January, 29 2008 at 05 PM
“four brothers separated upon
their birth … sifted through
life and strife and directorial girth;
now find a home within
my mind’s milky mirth.”
(This was for the four movies I have seen in the past year that were absolutely amazing and had so many iconic moments/elements.)
IF : Tales and Legends
Posted on January, 29 2008 at 01 AM
My submission into this week’s Illustration Friday theme of “Tales and Legends”.
I originally had planned to create this just in Art Rage, as a fun experiment with the new version of the app, but it quickly deteriorated, as I realized I don’t like Art Rage.
It is strong in some areas, and feels much like what use to be Alias’ Sketchbook, but for some reason, the blending and colors and brushes weren’t working for me. Something about lacking precision. I don’t know. I have Corel Painter back on my Mac now, so I will give that a go next. Let’s hope for some better results.
If you want to see the partial colored version I posted, just check out the alternate on Flickr.
Smokin' Aces (2006)
Posted on January, 28 2008 at 08 PM
Just watched Smokin’ Aces the other night. Wow. And more wow. While there is far too much profanity and bloodshed to safely recommend this to any of my friends, it is by far one of the best movies I have seen in a while. The immersive story-line is great and similar to something like Ocean’s 11 … just replace every time you see Brad Pitt eating with 10 dead bodies and you got the idea. ;)
Each of the “villains” is expertly scripted and crazy unique (or in the case of the ‘Tremor brothers’, just straight up crazy!). I don’t really know the director (Joe Carnahan), but the quality of the cinematic build that this film has, makes me want to see more of his work. Any recommendations?
If you’re looking for a great “guys night” flick, this would be one of those fist-pumping thrill-rides that you probably shouldn’t leave out.
links for 2008-01-27
Posted on January, 27 2008 at 12 PM
links for 2008-01-26
Posted on January, 26 2008 at 12 PM
- Beautiful Japanese wooden toys.
IF : Plain
Posted on January, 22 2008 at 01 AM
My submission for last week’s Illustration Friday theme of “Plain.”
It was created in Illustrator using the typeface of Eccentric Standard at various sizes and rotations, then taken into Photoshop and laid down on a pretty little parchment texture via Google.
I did manage to capture a screen of the creation process of the main graphic, but I will wait to post it until I have my new MacBook Pro tomorrow and can use Final Cut to increase the frame-rate on playback.
It’s funny. All I could think about while making this were poems by Shel Silverstein. Memories …
Day 2008-1-3
Posted on January, 21 2008 at 01 PM
“three insignificant glances,
bleed my heart of past romances,
and fill my life anew,
with opportune chances.”
links for 2008-01-21
Posted on January, 21 2008 at 12 PM
- Precision Bitmap to Vector Conversion Online – i.e. LiveTrace
Pizza, Pie, Cake, and a side of trailers
Posted on January, 19 2008 at 07 PM
We (Tyler, Jodie, Courtney, Jimison, Ben, and yours truly) got together again for another fun filled evening of trailers. For some reason, there was lots of pie and cake involved. Oh, well. Hope you enjoy!
Leatherheads – “Maybe … and not just because Jim is in it.” – Courtney
Forgetting Sarah Marshall – “You can’t escape Veronica Mars.” – Jimison
Paranoid Park – “Wait, was that Avril Lavigne?” – Oscar
Shrooms – “Getting killed. My anti-drug.” – Courtney
Sea Monsters: a Prehistoric Adventure – “That movie needs more shrooms.” – Tyler
Postal – “That movie looks dumb.” – Everyone
Prom Night – “My prom was better than that.” – Jodie
links for 2008-01-18
Posted on January, 18 2008 at 12 PM
- Beautiful interface and icon designer
- More gorgeous interface and GUI designs.
Day 2008-1-2
Posted on January, 16 2008 at 03 PM
This one has a poem attached:
“this is for two
as in the number of the day.
but also as in you
as in a way for me to say:”
“I really missed you,
and am glad you are home.”
“I can’t live without you.
I am so not me on my own.”
links for 2008-01-11
Posted on January, 11 2008 at 12 PM
- Remote Access and Desktop Control Software for your PC.
- Typing at the speed of thought!
- Illustrator with some very nice detailed work.
- Some amazing illustration work!
links for 2008-01-10
Posted on January, 10 2008 at 12 PM
- Official Web Site of visual designer behind great things from Tron, Blade Runner, MI:III, etc.
links for 2008-01-09
Posted on January, 09 2008 at 12 PM
- The leading free stock photography site.
Trailer Night! Trailer Night!
Posted on January, 09 2008 at 11 AM
It was a full night on Sunday … Courtney, Jimison, Ben, Jodie and myself … let’s hope it made for some fun movie trailer reviews. You tell me.
Run Fat Boy Run – “It’s the fat little engine that could!” – Ben
The Dark Knight – “Summer 2008 … not soon enough.” – Courtney
Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show – “Can’t I just watch these for free on Comedy Central?” – Jodie
Billy the Kid – “So apparently I am going to pay $7 to watch someone’s home movies.” – Jonny
Planet B-Boy – “It’s like ‘You Got Served’ … but for realz!” – Oscar
Hancock – “Huh. Apparently, black superheroes are just as belligerent as regular black hoodlums. Interesting.” – Oscar
links for 2008-01-08
Posted on January, 08 2008 at 12 PM
- Site for Bob Sabiston and Flat Black Films … the magic behind the rotoscoping technique in flims like “A Scanner Darkly”. Simply beautiful
- Founded in 1901.
- Illustrator, artist from NY
- Your place to buy and sell all things handmade
links for 2008-01-03
Posted on January, 03 2008 at 12 PM
- Themes for TextMate … oh yay!
- Excellent illustration, typography and graphic design.
Day 2008-1-1
Posted on January, 03 2008 at 01 AM
Day #26 – It’s a new year and here are some new lines. Enjoy the goodness and the fun. I seem to have run out of pages in my sketchbook, so time to set that one aside and find a new one to fill.
And if you haven’t already looked at the last couple of posts, go ahead. Tonight was nice and lazy and I managed to ink and scan all of the past days’ drawings. All caught up!
Day 2007-12-31
Posted on January, 03 2008 at 01 AM
Day #25 – Zoom in! Zoom in!
If you were looking for all those hairy gunky details that are sometimes missing in my sketches … well, there it is. Reminds me of some of the SpongeBob zoom jokes … right?
Day 2007-12-30
Posted on January, 03 2008 at 01 AM
Day #24 – Gah! The monsters are at it again. These are all with horns and friendly salutations. Geepa!
Day 2007-12-29
Posted on January, 03 2008 at 01 AM
Day #23 – All of these guys look a little goofy, but that was kinda the point. Each is similar in dress and mess, but with some fun variations. I hope you enjoy.
Day 2007-12-28
Posted on January, 03 2008 at 01 AM
Day #22 – Simple and large. Curvy and hairy. I like these three guys because of the emotion they convey in easy lines. I went ahead and left some of the sketch lines because that is always fun. :D
Day 2007-12-27
Posted on January, 03 2008 at 01 AM
Day #21 – I am really liking the lines and patterns in these pieces. The mesh-work in the bottom panel seems to have a great balance with the empty white characters within. What do you think?
Day 2007-12-26
Posted on January, 03 2008 at 01 AM
Day #20 – These turned out a bit smaller in size, but made for plenty more nibblets of fun and joy. No, I don’t know what is going on with the “Yes” bubble. I am confused by that too.
Day 2007-12-25
Posted on January, 03 2008 at 01 AM
Day #19 – Again, real life sketches are not a strong point for me … so here are some quick and best attempts. Hope you enjoy them. Any pointers are always welcome. :D
Day 2007-12-24
Posted on January, 03 2008 at 01 AM
Day #18 – The line-work in the far left piece makes me really happy. Plus, Wolvie getting a birthday cake makes me smile.
Day 2007-12-23
Posted on January, 03 2008 at 01 AM
Day #17 – I am really digging the kid in the cooking at, and those little ingredients are fun too.
I know that “The Island” piece isn’t that strong … sadly, life-like sketches are my Achilles heel. :(
links for 2008-01-02
Posted on January, 02 2008 at 12 PM
- Beautiful sketches and art