early

Dearly little man! That face! Another pet commission!

'Lucky' Such a beautiful face to draw...nearly done!

Halloween’s a bit early this year. I’m working on a scratch board technique video featuring a drawing of Nosferatu from my sketchbook.

We had our yearly meeting (via Skype this year, rather than in person) with our financial adviser. It was an hour spent drawing this giraffe during the call. She's referenced from an on-line photo.

Wanted to try out something different with art styles and experimenting with utilizing light and shadows. If you guys have any tips or suggestions on practicing lighting and shadows, please let me know.

These cats live in Bali and surf nearly every day. When they're not surfing they're eating. When they're not eating or surfing they're napping.

4 year old Henry engaged fully with thick applications of watercolor and oil pastels. He said it was a stormy sea with a small boat. This was at the onset of the pandemic, when we were all a bit uncertain and confined to our homes. I was reminded of an insight by Kierkegaard written in the early 1800s: “When the sailor is out on the sea and everything is changing around him, as the waves are continually being born and dying, he does not stare into the depths of these, since they vary. He looks up at the stars. And why? Because they are faithful – as they stand now, they stood for the patriarchs, and will stand for coming generations. By what means then does he conquer changing conditions? Through the eternal: By means of the eternal, one can conquer the future, because the eternal is the foundation of the future.”

The DODOSAURUS lived during the late Triassic period when dinosaurs ruled the earth with the average brain size of a peanut. This peaceful carnivore spent most its time roaming the desert lands of what is now South America hunting mice and various rodents. It wasn't until the reptile was discovered by early prehistoric humans that this majestic creature became a valuable and easily hunted food source until it was eventually hunted to extinction. ☠☠☠ RIP Dodosaurus

Years ago, I sketched Gibby at work—pencil in hand, bold strokes alive with motion. I caught them from over the shoulder: just the back of their head, the soft curve of their face, and that focused arm bringing something into being. They were 9 or 10 then, already showing the spark of creativity and concentration that pointed toward who they’d become. Now in their mid-20s, Gibby is thoughtful, insightful—quick to listen, slow to speak, and wired to process the world with care. Their path has been remarkable: two degrees in 2.5 years, no debt. That didn’t happen by accident. It took grit, German immersion schooling, 16 college credits earned in high school, and testing out of 24 more once at university. That’s Gibby—quietly determined, resourceful, and steady. But their story isn’t just academic. Gibby’s always been gifted with their hands—drawn to set design, locksmithing, welding. Trades they wanted to pursue early on, and still feel pulled toward. They’re at a bike shop now. It’s not the dream, but it fits: their hands know how to build, repair, and reshape the world. There’s been frustration—maybe even anger—that we didn’t let them follow the trade route right away. I get that now. Life veers, and sometimes the path chosen isn't the one imagined. But Gibby’s resilience—their ability to adapt and press on—is what I admire most. They’ve embraced their journey with honesty, stepping into their identity as a they/them person, unafraid to define success in their own terms. That takes courage. I’m proud of them—not for a résumé, but for who they are. This old drawing isn’t just a memory—it’s a thread connecting past to present. A reminder that the creative spark, the steady hands, the deep soul I saw back then is still shining. So here’s to you, Gibby: the kid who sketched with fire and the adult who still shapes the world with quiet brilliance. Your value has never been about the path you’re on. It’s about the person you are. And I’ll be here, cheering you on—every step of the way.

Notes from an early teaching moment.

Was initially going to try coffee painting with this one, but that clearly wasn’t happening... Hence the mentioning of divorce here, it being my expectations being split from the reality this time around. Still, things worked out in the end!

An early jellyfish.

Inspired by reading a subreddit discussing the early works of Animal Collective.

Fun fact: This, some 34 years ago, nearly became the title of Pixar’s first short “The Adventures Of André & Wally B.”. You learn something new every day folks...

Warm and cool winds mixing and blowing over sand ridges. A memory from living on the edge of a desert in Western Australia. Sometimes, walking the early morning the air is still cool in the shade of the trees, but the moment you step out into the sun, it is already hot.

I know it’s a little early to start thinking about the next decade, but I needed the inspiration...

Happy Halloween (a little early). Cici wanted to paint a pumpkin watercolor today! Cheers!

This is a quick study of a work by the famous painter from New York. I need to improve my art because at the moment I am not turning out good pieces.You know, we never see the early art that the great artists did. I am not critising the famous artists for their early work, but the public never see the progress that Van Gogh or Picasso made in their early years. It gives the impression that they just sarted out as great artists, which is not the case.I did this study purely as an educational endevor.

Technical pen on 18x24 illustration board. Late 70's early 80's...

Markers on sketchbook paper. Late 70's early 80's...

Completed my first commission of the year — inspired by my Dream Tree mural in Bristol, for a couple from the neighbourhood who walk by the mural nearly every day

An article/rant/annotation to an illustration. A #Hackney bar and its flies. This picture is not as sad and blue as it might at first seem, I promise. It is early in the week and the pub becomes the territory of the most outspoken drinkers. Raised somewhere between Churchill and Harold MacMillan, a night such as this is time for them to spin out a yarn of nostalgic fantasy. Encouraged by the lack of a crowd and with space to fill, statements start to fly. In the opening rounds the barman athletically hits back with factual blocks and reality-check haymakers; statistics and personal experiences are given. Two histories cross examined, one where 1982 means Thatcher and the Falklands, the other renders Reagan and the AIDS crisis. Stoicism and national pride vs mental health and realism. In the latter rounds the barman is fatigued, swaying on the backbar, glasses begin to stack up as form begins to drop. The older men seem stronger than ever. The barflies come in close now, they scrutinise his generations work ethic and make wild political comments on poverty, immigrants and the minimum wage. The barman is close to sheer bloody despair, he maintains his defence and focuses on breathing while maintaining his professional stance. But at the end of the night the barman knows HE will ring that bell, they will politely leave and they will return again in a week and maybe, just maybe there will be a change, common ground or maybe at least polite silence. But what these interactions have given despite the salt in the eye is community and an exchange between generations, culture and class of those participating. No home is ever straight forward, no relative without their good and bad traits and in a world where we often slide into echo chambers online or in our physical environments, the pub is still a place where society is family, face to face, pint to pint. Or maybe it's just a room with alcohol on tap?

I’ve been doing ink doodles somewhat like this since the early 80s but I have to give a shout-out to Visoth Kakvei for greatly influencing my style the last couple of years.

Every day in 2017 I drew in a Moleskine Japanese (Accordion Fold) Album (pocket size) with the goal of completing one continuous drawing all year. I filled up nearly six complete sketchbooks, completing a drawing that is 5.5 inches high and more than 600 inches wide. Now, what do I do with it?

First OFFICIAL Commission! 8x10, Watercolor and Pen. Hey everyone! This time, I'm actually back. First off, let me say I was not planning to fall off the face of the Earth again. At the time I last posted, I had a little less than a month of school left and I had hoped I could wrap up all my final projects early and be done. I was wrong. My teachers assigned more and I had work due up to the day before school ended, but I survived! Since my last post, I do have some updates. 1. I did indeed graduate high school! I was very lucky my school not only had a ceremony, but it was at Soldier Field. (I'm very happy to say I graduated Summa Cumme Laude and with the honors of completing the Alpha STEM and the Arts program.) 2. I also got an Instagram! I'll be using it not only to post final pieces but also as a way to post progress. {@mapalomar.arts} With regards to this painting, it is my first official commission, past commissions were from people I knew (family or friends) but this one isn't. I can say I'm pretty proud of the end result, especially as a person who doesn't consider themself a watercolor artist, it's not too shabby. :) Anyway, I hope this piece will have a safe journey all the way to its new home in Massachusetts.

Got to work early today so I stayed in the car and drew the truck parked across my car.

Early morning camping trip! This week I've *resurrected* my instagram. It's @gouacheandink or https://www.instagram.com/gouacheandink/ Hope you all have a happy 4th of July :)

- Oil painting of a countryside of Vietnam. When observing, it is easy to see an image erected when people are working in the field, along with the early morning time, so it has created a beautiful picture. Each object in the picture has its own highlight, full of attractive looks. Although it is a picture of a simple landscape about people in the countryside, every little detail is meticulously painted by the author. This painting is owned by the author "Uilliam Potter". This picture was drawn and uploaded to show everyone the inherent beauty of a rural village, if you have the opportunity, come and feel it. Get the beauty here in the most realistic way. - Please contact me via Email: williampotterowners@yahoo.com