OIC Interview with Parka

Posted: March 15th, 2011 | Author: Ann Gee | Filed under: oic interview | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments »

In the spotlight: Parka – the guy behind Parka Blogs, a blog dedicated to reviews of art and design related books.

OIC: How long have you had the habit of sketching and how did you get started?

Parka: I started getting more serious about sketching after visiting Urban Sketchers. (OIC: Check out our awesome local sketchers at Urban Sketchers Singapore!) The stories and sketches posted by people all over the world are really inspiring. It makes you look at things in life differently. There’s a new sense of appreciation, including for the mundane.

My sketches can be found at http://parkablogs.com/category/tags/my-sketches

OIC: Do you think of a sketch as a prelude to something and how would you define a sketch?

Parka: I think sketching is for people who want to observe and understand what they see more closely. With sketching, you’re not just capturing the moment, you’re also in the moment – not something like taking a photo can imitate.

OIC: What interests you in a potential scene?

Parka: Strong colours are always interesting and eye catching. That would be the first thing that catches my attention. The other interesting thing would be to figure what people are doing. People are always interesting.

OIC: I’ve noticed that you mainly use pen and ink  for your sketches. Is this because you like the technique or is it because of the greater convenience and mobility this affords?

Parka: I sketch a lot while traveling on the train. Pen and ink is a very convenient medium to use. Colours are added with Copic markers, and if I don’t have the colour I need, I’ll just use the gray markers.

OIC: What are the essential items you must bring to a sketchwalk?

Parka: If I have to stand and sketch, it’s the pen and Copic markers – my kit on the train. If I can sit and sketch, it’s the pen and portable watercolour set.

OIC: How do you deal with the curious? (You know, the folks who lean in to peep at the sketchbooks.)

Parka: There’s really only one incident I remember. I was sketching someone painting a wall at Kampong Glam when an uncle appeared out of the walkway and asked “Can I have a look?”. “Sure,” I replied.

Other than that, I don’t have a lot of people looking over my shoulders. I would like to think I’m pretty stealthy.

Unless people actually see that you’re sketching, they don’t really know what you’re doing with the pen and paper. Here’s a trick I use while sketching on the train. People only notice you when your focus is on them. So when someone’s looking at me with the why-are-you-looking-at-me face, I’ll stare into the space beside his/her head for a good while. After that, I’ll look back at them with the same why-are-you-looking-at-me face. Tables turned.

OIC: You have reviewed so many books on art and design, what are some of your favourite books on sketching?

Parka: I’ve a lot of favourites:

An Illustrated Life

Keys to Drawing with Imagination

Pen and Pencil Drawing Techniques

Keys to Drawing

Watercolor Journeys: Create Your Own Travel Sketchbook

Denys Wortman’s New York: Portrait of the City in the 30s and 40s

Baghdad Journal: An Artist in Occupied Iraq

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2 Comments on “OIC Interview with Parka”

  1. 1 momo said at 2:53 pm on March 15th, 2011:

    Enjoyed reading this. The selection of books highlighted are great. Thanks!

  2. 2 fei said at 11:58 am on March 18th, 2011:

    thanks for sharing! this is hilarious… LOL
    “So when someone’s looking at me with the why-are-you-looking-at-me face, I’ll stare into the space beside his/her head for a good while. After that, I’ll look back at them with the same why-are-you-looking-at-me face…”