Sunday, February 9, 2020

Sketching on the Move instructional map

I have a new product out! It's an instructional guide to sketching while commuting.

The art I do requires a lot of travel. Most of my journeys take about half an hour, some may last over a day if I am travelling overseas. And because I spend so many hours in a week travelling, I have included sketching while on the go as part of my travelling repertoire. Whether I am on a local bus, or train, taxi or plane, I always keep a sketchbook close at hand, to keep practicing wherever I am.


For those who are interested in picking up sketching while commuting, here’s an instructional map that I have put together. Inside the map is a heap of information regarding sketching on the move. The guide covers the how, why and where of sketching while on the go. There is also a whole section on sketching the human figure, since sketching scenes on your daily commute will definitely have people in them. Like always, I have embedded QR codes within the map for you to scan with a smart device to help you go in-depth when discussing a certain topic.  Lastly, there will be a section where I will show you common places to sketch at, and tips and tricks on how you would make yourself comfortable while at it. 


(front and back covers of the unopened map)


I decided to design this instructional in a map format because the one thing I think about when the words travel and information come together is a directional map.  Also, this format helps keep the cost of shipping to a minimal. 

Click the link below to get yourself and maybe a friend a copy: 

Each copy retails at SGD$11.00 (approx. USD8.00, €7.30 or £6.20)
(Use currency converter on the top right of this blog.)



Notes on shipping:
• For orders shipped within Singapore, it’s SGD$1 extra.

• For orders to be shipped out to the rest of the world, it’s SGD$3.50 extra.

• Shipping takes place every Tuesday of the week. Currently on a project out of town. Shipping resumes on 3rd March 2020. If you need one sent urgently, let me know. 


Thank you for supporting my work! This keeps me going as an independent artist.


 
Kim Hoerster's drawing workshop in San Miguel de Allende Mexico
incorporating the Sketching On The Move maps. Images courtesy of Kim.


Kim's review:
"They enjoyed the maps very much. We walked through every step of the gesture together and they practiced using the drawings inside your map finding eight lines."

Kim Hoerster is an artist and instructor from Texas, USA, and manages Arts Lessons & Studio. 
Check out her website for upcoming workshops. --> kimhoerster.com
Also, look her up on Facebook at: Arts Lessons & Studio



Friday, October 11, 2019

Art in the Open 2019 Wexford, Ireland

I arrived late into the programme this year, right after my first Urban Sketching Symposium in Amsterdam. It's my 4th Art in the Open. So many of the artists from here are not just my friends, but have also become my family. :)  They have guided me over the years when it comes to art and some fo them really want me to succeed... I am filled with gratefulness.

I've also become the resident vlogger in this annual event here in Wexford, so be sure to click on the various links listed below.



Art in the Open Part 1
So day 2 became my first day at Wells House. A whole load of farm animals to paint here including cows while at it in their mating rituals. Day 3 at Graiguenamanagh was hard to pronounce but my hosts patiently taught me how to say it. (Greg-nah-meh-nah.) Also, first time painting at Tintern Abbey in Day 4. 


Art in the Open Part 2
Day 5 at Ballymore House. Day 6 at the QuickDraw. Be sure to check out who won :) The video ends with the exhibition at Green Acres and Gala Dinner at the Riverbank Hotel. 


How to Make Strawberry Jam


Featured Artist: Paul Maloney


Castlebridge Annual Show


Flying Tiger Shop (Wexford)


Product Review: Fiat Hymer Swing 494 Trailer


Product Test: Michael Harding Oil Paints


Featured Artist: Sheila MacNally

Friday, June 7, 2019

ARTIVIVE APP downloading Instructions

(Download instructions for more from Alvin Mark)


Hi! Thank you for purchasing my product. 
Let's take another step to create some magic together.
Before the magic happens, you need to
download the ARTIVIVE APP on your smartphone
or other device that allows you to read QR codes. 

For Apple OS users, click: 

For Android users, click: 

Once you have downloaded the app, 
scan the image on the product you have, 
and voila! 




Social Media Links

Welcome to my blog!  This page is dedicated to the ever growing links of my social media world. This is where most of my online links are. It's me trying to reach out to the planet as far as I can.


F O L L O W   A L V I N
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


👨🏾‍🎨 W E B S I T E  
https://www.alvinmark.com
Everything is found here. My portfolio, my travel and workshop schedules, links and more.



V I D E O S
*~*~*~*~*~


🎥 V L O G S
https://www.youtube.com/c/AlvinMarkArt
I make art demo videos under 3 broad categories: Sketching Singapore, Travel Sketch and Product Reviews. 


📱 F I R E W O R K   A P P
https://fireworktv.com/users/alvinmark
30 second time lapse demos



D A I L Y    A R T
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


🖌 I N S T A G R A M (oil paintings)
https://www.instagram.com/alvinmarkstudio/
@alvinmarkstudio
New paintings every other day



✒️ I N S T A G R A M (inks and watercolours)
https://www.instagram.com/alfdoodles/
@alfdoodles
New sketches daily



🎨 F A C E B O O K   A R T 
https://www.facebook.com/alvinmarkstudio/
If you'd like see a mix of my oil paintings and ink sketches



📍 P I N T R E S T
https://it.pinterest.com/alvinmark/
My old works



🐦 T W I T T E R
https://twitter.com/alvinmark
If you only like to see words, my art is here too



I N F O R M A T I O N
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


💻 B L O G 
https://alvinmarktan.blogspot.sg
You are here :) Demos, information, reviews and recap 



🎒 M Y  G E A R 
https://kit.com/alvinmark
If you are interested in what I carry with me when I sketch, paint and blog, it's here.



S U P P O R T    A L V I N
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


💰 P A T R E O N
https://www.patreon.com/alvinmark
Here is where you can throw in some coins monthly (or a one off) to unlock more demos or tutorials not found anywhere else. A little each month gets me going places.



🍎 G U M R O A D
https://gumroad.com/alvinmark
Buy my tutorials and digital books



✂️ S O C I E T Y   S I X
https://society6.com/alvinmark
More merch with various products here



☕️  B U Y   M E   C O F F E E  
https://buymeacoff.ee/alvinmark
A cuppa reminds me to rest every once in awhile




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ END ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Monday, November 19, 2018

Banda Sketchwalk 2018

I received a message from the Indonesian Sketchers some time in July. And they wanted to explore the idea of running a workshop in Banda. Hmmmm... Banda Aceh was the first place that popped into my head.  Then in the following subsequently emails, I realised that the Banda we were talking about is Banda Neira island that is nestled in in the Banda Arc region, far east of Indonesia. Any farther, and we would be in Papua. It would have been the furthest part of Indonesia that I have gone. In fact, even for the Indonesian sketching team from Jakarta, Banda Neira was the furthest anyone had gone to.

Like all other trips, I have put together a series of videos documenting that very short week in the Banda islands, considering that the journey to get there for me (from Singapore) took early 2 days - the fast boat from Ambon to Banda Neira was about 7 hour long.  Enjoy this back to nature trip!


What do you do when you have so many hours to kill?



Sketching Sketchers during a session with the local kids


Boat at Banda Besar




Videos from Banda:

Banda Islands - Intro

Banda Sketch Walk - Ambon City

Banda Sketch Walk - Day 1 

Banda Sketch Walk - Day 2

Banda Sketch Walk - Day 3 

Banda Sketch Walk - Hiking Banda Api

Banda Sketch Walk - LAST DAY

Featured Artist - Indira P. Diani

Above Banda



Indonesian sketchers using their time fruitfully while waiting
for the ferry boat bak to Banda Neira.


Our daily commute


Lots and lots of bananas in this part of the world


Waiting for the ferry boat at Pulau Ay


Oil sketch of Pulau Run from Pulau Nailaka


Sketch from the top of the volcano - Banda Api



I will be heading to Banda Neira again in Dec 2018. This time to really live and sketch the place.  The idea is to be able to produce a sketchbook from this journey. So stay very tuned it to my Instagrams posts and Youtube Channel for updates. :)


Follow Alvin Mark:

(website) 
https://www.alvinmark.com

(Facebook Art) 
https://www.facebook.com/alvinmarkstudio/

(Coffee to go) 
https://buymeacoff.ee/alvinmark

(inks and watercolours) 
https://www.instagram.com/alfdoodles/

(oil paintings) 
https://www.instagram.com/alvinmarkstudio/ 

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

ASIA-LINK SKETCHWALK 2018 TAICHUNG

The 3rd Asia-link Sketch Walk was held in Taichung, Taiwan this year! It was another great reason to visit Bubble Tea Land... and of course meet up with my favourite sketchers from the region. A total of  400 participants representing 21 countries took part, all the way from Russia, Netherlands and the U.S.A.!

I spent a few nights with friends in Taipei (north) before heading to the central region of Taiwan. The bus ride was very comfortable and I'd recommend that over taking the regional trains.

As usual, I will be posting highlights of the event via my Youtube links below. Within the links, you get to meet artists, hear their thoughts, see their works and explore Taichung through my eyes. So get your fingers ready to click away! :D

Asia-Link Sketch Walk Videos:

1. ALSW2018 TAICHUNG Opening (Day 1)
https://youtu.be/N6nHhGkWVP8

2. ALSW2018 TAICHUNG Day 2
https://youtu.be/-7U9dH1sTRA

3. ALSW2018 TAICHUNG Day 3
https://youtu.be/N6nHhGkWVP8

4. ALSW2018 TAICHUNG Day 4 (Houli excursion)
https://youtu.be/uyNP-myN_Uo

5. ALSW2018 TAICHUNG with Tae from Bangkok Sketchers
https://youtu.be/kzDgiTV6Qno

My friends from Taipei fed me well! :D 


Noodles from the first bubble tea shop (Chun Shui Tang) ever in Taichung


Oldest artist I met this trip. He's 96! Saved an entire village by painting it. 


I love collecting stamps in Taiwan. They are everywhere! 

Vanont from Bangkok and his souvenirs. 


Tae from Bangkok right before her sharing session on her book.
A book swap just happened. 


One of the 5 paintout sessions 


Sketching at Taichung Park. 


万春宫 (Wan Chun Gong)


Watercolour piece I did during Vanont's workshop


 Eleanor Doughty (@herbcoil) from Seattle


Panoramic sketch from Ah Tong (Kuching), Jason (Kuala Lumpur), me and Benedict (Singapore)


It was another fantastic and event not to be taken for granted and being able to sketch alongside like-minded sketchers in Taichung. I made a ton of new friends this year since I missed the event last year in Kuching. There were too many people to get to know and say "hi" to in four days. (400 participants is a pretty sizeable amount.) But I did manage to catch up with friends that I had already known or artists I have been following.

I've always thought of us sketchers being ambassadors of our countries, fostering friendship and passion for art whenever we go for such trips. Not only do we represent the Urban Sketchers Chapters from our region, but also as citizens from countries. And it is really great to see that neither boarders nor language separate us, and art that binds us all - that common language.

Looking forward to Banda Indonesia coming up shortly.


----------------------------------


Follow Alvin Mark:

(website)
https://www.alvinmark.com

(Facebook Art)
https://www.facebook.com/alvinmarkstudio/

(Coffee to go)
https://buymeacoff.ee/alvinmark

(inks and watercolours)
https://www.instagram.com/alfdoodles/

(oil paintings)
https://www.instagram.com/alvinmarkstudio/

Explore the planet with globe trotting artist Alvin Mark Tan in his Travel Sketch series. Check out the daily local scene of a village, town or city and experience the culture and food that intrinsically binds us all together. Also get insights into oil painting and ink sketching while on the fly.





Friday, August 17, 2018

Art in the Open 2018

It was another eventful painting trip to Wexford! Art in the Open is in its 11th year and is Europe's largest painting festival. Live demos and workshops stretch for over 10 days in County Wexford. This year's edition ushers in a lot of new artists both locally and from across the globe. There are also many tie-in events with the National Gallery of Ireland scattered throughout the evenings in Wexford town. Culminating with an excursion by the National Gallery of Ireland, artists boarded the Irish Rail from Wexford's O'Hanrahan Station via the scenic coastal route to Pearse Station in Dublin. Participating artists toured the latest summer show - the O'Conor and the Moderns (from Paris to Post Aven) and took part in a mass paint-out with local Dublin plein air artists at Merrion Square.

Above Redmond Square, Wexford


I vlogged each day's affairs and have organised them neatly on this post. May it be a source of archive and joy for all who watch the videos.  If you like the content, I would like to invite you to LIKE the videos and SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube channel, so that the algorithms tell the company that I am working hard to provide everyone with good content. :D

If you are new to Art in the Open and want to know how to get from Dublin Airport to Wexford, do watch this.  -->  From Dublin Airport to Wexford via the Wexford Bus: https://youtu.be/Cjj3FJwJuZ4

Day 1 - Wexford https://youtu.be/EI3kXck2KBA

Day 2 - Duncannon https://youtu.be/-68YVxfloks

Day 3 - Artramon House https://youtu.be/LqjK7-6t0U4

Day 4 - Clonegal & Huntington Castle https://youtu.be/ntnLWsH0NBk

Day 5 - Rosslare https://youtu.be/iiHJgdVnxZY

Day 6 - Bunclody https://youtu.be/iiHJgdVnxZY

Day 7 - Quick Draw https://youtu.be/bns4jUjY5fU

Day 8 - Exhibition/ Gala https://youtu.be/WbMP5SPxM6Q

Day 9 - National Gallery of Ireland Excursion https://youtu.be/K-XgCcgYN_g

Above Wexford County  https://youtu.be/PGdzou96cuY

From Arklow to Rathdrum on the Irish Rail https://youtu.be/-77Yb-vztEQ

Until the next post... ciao ciao!


That's me working on a mural near the bridge


Sunday, January 14, 2018

Painting Down Under

Hello 2018!

Perth is a short 5 hour flight from Singapore. Ever so often, I go there to visit my family. Here's a confession - it's been 2 years since my last visit.  So I bought a one way ticket there.

Being down under often reminds me that I'm on a really huge planet, because at a time when many of my friends are experiencing snow and rain, it's baking in dryness and sunshine in Australia! I used to think that all I'll ever be painting are summer scenes because whenever I'm in Perth is during their summer.

I had a lot of time to catch up with family, but priority was also given to documenting my trip. I pushed the boundaries of filming documentaries while outdoors as a documentary maker with the use of drones for those gorgeous aerial footages. Not only did I make my usual on location painting videos, but also a tutorial on painting tools, and even produced a food trail!  I also went painting with award-winning painter, Leon Holmes, and made a documentary with him painting in the scrubs.

For those who are video fans, this post is packed with videos! And it might be my new direction for 2018 - You Tube Videos. (Don't forget to subscribe - Youtube: Alvin Mark Studio) Painting a steam engine and riding on one, soaring over the distinctive landscapes of Western Australia, and hang out where the locals go for food... you're definitely going to find these clips informative, more so if you are an artist. :)

Here are my top 3 favourite videos from the trip: 

#1) Travel Sketch (PERTH) with Leon Holmes [CC] 


#2) Travel Sketch (PERTH) Food & Sketch Trail [CC] 


#3) Travel Sketch (PERTH) - Castledare part 2 [CC] 



Here are the other videos from my Perth adventure:

FLYING on SQ213 [CC] 

Travel Sketch (PERTH) - North Mole Lighthouse [CC] 

Sketch Travel (Perth) - Commute Sketch [CC] 

Travel Sketch (PERTH) - Castledare Part 1 [CC] 

Ride the Freight Australia

Travel Sketch (PERTH) - Ciao Italia [CC] 

Travel Sketch - TOOLS for oil painting [CC] 


Travel Sketch Perth - Show & Tell

Flying Above Perth

Thank you for tuning in! Until the next update... Stay happy and healthy for 2018! :)

Friday, December 8, 2017

Alvin Mark Sketchbook


This is my first shot at designing sketchbooks for fellow artists to use. Being a full time urban sketcher myself, I know at first hand what sketching conditions are like on location. This is my creation together with AlsoDominie, to produce a B6 landscape (17.6cm x 25.0cm) format size sketchbook. Here's the rational behind the choice of materials used.

Size:
There are plenty of A4 and A6 (hardback) sketchbooks out there, but only a handful of A5 and B6 hardbacks. It makes a difference when you are out there sketching on location for about 30-45 mins, standing up and holding your sketchbook. What may seem like a 400gm A4 can miraculously turn into a 10kg dumbbell after 15-20 mins of sketching. 

An A6 (10cm x 15cm) sketchbook doesn't really do justice for me.  I use a Moleskine Large (21cm x 13cm) every once in a while in my travels when I know that my schedule is very tight, and I do feel the difference. The 21cm x 13cm doesn't allow me enough space to express what I want to say, in this instance, sketch.  The A4 landscape for me is always my personal choice of preference if I had all the time in the world to sketch. :) 

Format:
I am a lover of landscape format sketchbooks. They allow for those long panoramas! 
Enough said here. :)

The B5 is a format that allows me to sketch what may seem like an A4,
but in a much shorter span of time. 

Paper:
AlsoDominie and I had to come to a compromise. I was looking at heavy weight 300gsm Fabriano, but given the budget for the project, we settled for 180gsm Maple Leaf. 

I've finished using 2 books so far, and my take is that it's great for inks, pencil sketching,
and a light wash. 

Extras:
Pocket:
It never hurts to have an extra pocket especially when you are travelling. It's a good place to store maps and tickets for quick references. 

Elastic band:
Never underestimate a gust of wind! A small elastic band does wonders when you are frantically finishing a sketch before the looming storm. :) 

Hardback:
I use the hardback as a table during those moments when space is tight or if I am standing up for a sketch. It can also balance my watercolour kit and water container at the same time! 




Size comparison:
A4 - 21cm x 30cm
B5 - 17.6cm x 25.0cm
A5 - 15cm x 21cm
Moleskine Large - 13cm x 21cm
A6 - 10cm x 15cm

The Sketchbook at the Taipei Art Book Fair 2017


To purchase copies, write to:

AlsoDominie (in Asia and the Americas):

Spectrum Art and Framing (in Europe):

The Alvin Mark sketchbook is a collaboration with AlsoDominie Print and made its public appearance at Inkling: Vol 2 on 4 August 2017.



Here a run through of my Sketchbook Volume 1 using a time-lapse format.




Saturday, October 21, 2017

Sketching the last Shangri-la

Imagine a whole entire country measured by the collective happiness (Gross National Happiness) of its people, and not by its GNP (Gross National Product). Meaning its GNH is more important than its GNP.  Not only is this a real place, the better news is that many other countries are looking into developing this philosophy too. The term was coined by the country's 4th king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in the 1970s. I was blessed to be able to spend sometime there, learning and observing the people and culture of Bhutan.

Thank you, Druk Asia, for the opportunity to experience this.


My sketching expedition began on board Druk Air, 
where the friendly stewardesses' Kira, the national
dress for women in Bhutan, became the point of interest for me.



I heard so much about the open tarmac concept at Paro International Airport,
that when the plane landed, I immediately threw in one for my sketchbook. 


Welcomed by my guide and driver upon arrival, our first stop for lunch was at Thimpu, the capital.
After which, the string of sight-seeing (and sketching) began. This is inside the weaving room 
at the Royal Textile Academy.


My hotel in Thimpu is right within walking distance of the Norzin Lam, its main street. I headed there immediately after dinner for a sketching spree. The tiny commercial shops that line this street is worth visiting. Still puzzled as to how they can squeeze so many things into that one little space? 


Finally got into a Gho, the traditional dress for men in Bhutan. 
It's actually pretty comfortable. You should try one when you are there.


I found some time in the morning to paint Buddha Point from the hotel. Having the cool, 
crisp morning air with the mountain ranges as a backdrop was definitely a plus for me. 


The chief abbot is in town and chanting mantras for a 3-month long event being held at Buddha Point. 


Meeting and interacting with locals is the main highlight of my travels around the world. Here in Bhutan, it is no different. A good portion of my time is spent talking and sharing my art with the locals. And in return, I learn heaps about their way of life.  

Staff at Simply Bhutan run through my work in progress 
while I catch a moment to enjoy a cup of local butter tea.


Interacting with students from the Punakha Higher Secondary School 
right after a picnic and sketch.  2km away at the Jimba Gyeltshen General Shop and Bar
(where the suspension bridge is), I meet more students on their way home from school.
the walk each way from home to school takes about 80 minutes. 


Waiting for the oldest monastery Changangkha Lhakhang, to dry.



So delicious and exotic are the food dishes, especially the vegetable dishes, 

more locals here are becoming vegetarians. 



 We spent some time at a paper making factory. Here is a 
little clip I made to show how paper is made in Bhutan.


Here at the Natural History Museum. One of my greatest joys – animal sketching, 
and especially in spaces that do not permit photography. :) 


At the halfway mark while scaling up Tiger's Nest.
Climbing Tiger's Nest Video clip: https://youtu.be/L7D09Zivsus

Here are highlights of my sketching adventure on You Tube.



Thank you to my super informative guide Kuenzang, my cool driver, Jamyang.
Thank you Druk Asia for creating this memorable experience for me.  
And thank you all of you for tuning in with me on this fantastic journey back to the past. 


°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

About the Artist:
Alvin Mark Tan 
is a traditional oil painter residing in Singapore. He also illustrates in ink and watercolour.

A graphic design graduate from Woodbury University in Burbank, California, 
Alvin began his graphic design career with the Ministry of Defence in Singapore.  

Later, at the Singapore Press Holdings, he branched out into advertising, environmental 
design and documentary-making.  He also has an Animation diploma, with a focus in concept art. After walking the Camino de Santiago in 2012, Alvin made a bold decision to sell and leave everything to study what he was always called to do - traditional oil painting.  

He graduated from Angel Academy of Art in Florence, Italy, where he studied Natural Realism under Maestro Michael John Angel for three years. Apart from doing commissioned art works ranging from still lifes to portraits to ink sketches to wall murals, Alvin loves drawing directly from nature.  So he is often outdoors doing plein air paintings, on the streets urban-sketching, or commute sketching in his travels.  His goal by being a full-time artist, is to encourage people to live out their vocations in life.