My Starbucks tumbler 3rd design : Mermaid’s makeover

I was bored of looking at the same design on my Starbucks tumbler I had been using for the past few months since April. So, I decided go a bit crazy and have some fun tweaking the Starbucks logo this time. The Starbucks mermaid had a makeover! Dressed her up like in a Superwoman outfit, put on her some make-up and turned her into a clown face, crowned her with Mini Mouse’s headgear, coloured her hair, and made her play with some of the Angry Birds cast. Hope she’s having fun!

I am ready to take my tumbler out to the runway

My Place of Inspiration

Some quick sketch drawing using a stylus pen on my new iPad 2. Just trying to get familiar drawing digitally on SketchBook Pro. It has been quite enjoyable so far.

iPad 2 + SketchBook Pro + Targus Stylus Pen = My first iPad drawing

I am not one of those crazy fan of iPad, really, I am not. No way that I am going to spend half a day to one full day lining up for it at the Mac store the moment the stock is released. I would not do so even if I had the luxury of time at hand.

But how and why did I finally have one in my hand? Couple of reasons why I got myself an iPad 2 (and not iPad 1). I was not interested in the first generation of iPad simply because there was not any camera on it. Now with two built-in cameras on the iPad 2 it makes more sense for a photography enthusiast like me to own one. Apart from that as I learned more about iPad since its first launch there are tonnes of apps being developed and made available whether free or for purchase, to meet the needs of each iPad user. It can now do much more than just for emails, net surfing and playing games. (Yes, I have Angry Birds in both my iPad 2 and Mac, by the way). So, I convinced myself that apart from being able to do Facetime with the iPad 2, I can also draw with the right kind of drawing apps.

And so I finally placed an order for a white iPad 2 from Apple Store online about two week ago. I was not in the hurry to get it so I did not mind the wait as long as it was delivered to my doorstep safe and sound without having me fight my way through the crazy crowd to get a place in a long queue at the Mac store. And yes, it did! Just a few days ago DHL courierman came knocking at my gate at 9:50PM with my iPad 2 in his hand. Item delivered and off he went as he had tonnes of iPad 2′s to deliver to other purchasers in that evening. I was happy to receive the parcel because it arrived one week earlier than the scheduled date.

A bonus for ordering the iPad 2 online, you will get a free engraving at the back of the iPad 2, for free of charge! And here is what written on mine – does not it sound familiar to you?

I have been exploring the device and testing some apps I downloaded from App Store since. One of them that I have purchased is SketchBook Pro. With all the test drawing using my finger it just felt so awkward and I felt like screaming at the top of my lung, “Arrgghhhhh!!! My finger’s going to break and time!!!”. It was as though that I dipped my finger into a bucket of dry paint and brushed it on a smooth canvas. I have got to hold something to draw and paint with, you know what I mean? So, I hurried to a Mac store to get a stylus pen for that purpose, because I could not wait to start drawing on my new iPad 2 really soon! Got myself a Targus Style Pen, which I quite like using now for swiping the pages, sometimes typing and drawing, of course.

Here is a complete piece of drawing I have done right immediately after I got the stylus pen. I had fun drawing on iPad 2!

I will to put the iPad 2, SketchBook Pro and Targus stylus pen to good use from now on. At least now I have a good reason to own an iPad, right? Hope it will continue to serve me well.

One of the many reasons why I love Starbucks – I’ve got their napkins to count on!

My head generates ideas most of the time. At times it gets a little more active and effective than any other times. And when such moment comes I would usually not let the idea escape the day without jotting it down on a piece of paper.

Well, I have a habit of putting down my scribbles no matter how raw they may be on a napkin. I write, draw, sketch and wipe my mouth with napkins. I have tried it before using different types of napkin at different cafes and restaurants. And Starbucks takes the lead. Besides loving the drinks, environment and people there, their durable napkins are just so inspiring!

I must admit I do use white napkins as loo papers sometimes (opps!) but not with Starbucks, though.

Do you write on napkins too? Free to share your story.

40 years!

I wonder if she ever wants out.

Bali Trip

I had a vacation with my little sister in Bali, Indonesia recently. Since it was a short one we only managed to take a local tour to a few famous tourist spots for a half day by car and spent the last day of our stay to explore Kuta city by foot. We went to Taman Ayun Temple, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Bedugul, some paddy terraces place that we only managed to view from the top of a restaurant where all tourists are taken to by their tour guides to have an expensive lunch, and Tanah Lot which we left early before the sunset. I have never felt so tourist-like ever before as a traveler! As much as I prefer to explore the off-the-beaten-path time was not on our side.

Managed to finish only three rolls of films on this trip. Brought along with me were my little Olympus XA, my first ever film classic camera Nikon FM2n which has been returned by a friend recently after being away in South Korea for about a year, and a borrowed Nikkor 35mm f/2.0 lens. These are some of the shots of the places we visited and also at the streets of Kuta.

Starbucks Barista the Malaysian version & Green Tea Latteh Tarik

I am glad Starbucks sells this kind of tumbler that enables customers to personalise their own tumbler with their artistic skills. I will definitely not let go of such good chance to display mine on my tumbler.

This is an idea I had today for my tumbler design. The inspiration came after the Teh Tarik Mamak character I created something ago. By incorporating a barista character with a Malaysian twist (wearing a sarong) and my favourite Starbucks drink Green Tea Latte (I drink no coffee, for your information) here we have this hyper young Mr. Barista tossing / pulling Green Tea Latteh Tarik (a word play of green tea latte + teh tarik)!

The very very rough sketch I did.

Refined sketch for scan.

Finally I had it printed and slotted into the tumbler. Here it is.

And it has a see-through drink level indicator. How cool it that?

I cannot wait to bring my tumbler on my next visit to Starbucks!

Journal, 1 May 2009 : Happy Labouring Day

First day of May is a Labour Day holiday in some countries including mine, Malaysia. It is a public holiday and I have to labour to meet some deadlines in days to come. Working from Starbucks today while enjoying my favourite green tea frappacino and I decided to take a short break and draw on my Moleskine. Drawing myself drawing. See that guy in the picture? That’s one short and cute barista – my favourite (I won’t disclose his name, though). See the sign ‘Happy Labouring’? It’s just a joke – I am pulling my own leg. Really under stress lately (I’m not supposed to say it).

@ Starbucks Coffee, 3Two Square, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Moleskine Pocket Diary, Lamy Safari Charcoal fountain pen (extra fine), Noodler’s Ink – Polar Black, Derwent Inktense watersoluble colored pencils

How to ‘draw’ a perfect Starbucks logo

I was at Starbucks today and could not resist drawing my cuppa Black Tea Latte. As I was drawing halfway I wondered how to draw a perfect looking Starbucks logo on the mug. And suddenly when I looked at the receipt there I got it – EUREKA!!

The idea is pretty simple and easy. All you need to do is cut out the Starbucks logo from the receipt and paste it onto your drawing.

There you have it!

So the next time when you’re thinking of drawing your cuppa at the cafe make sure you keep the receipt. It may save you time drawing the logo.