Mara Draws

slambang asked: Wow, ang galing ng strokes mo :> Ano karaniwan mong ginagamit kapag nagsketch?

Thank you >_<!!

Minsan ordinaryong pencil lang. Pag tinatamad ballpen. Pero in class, kailangan either yung nibbed pen, tombo or copic marker, stick, o brush. Kailangan talaga sari-sari kasi gusto ng professor na palaging nag-eexperiment. 

s-en asked: Hi. What kind of marker do you use? That black Oscar dela Renta serpentina dress was absolutely breathless. Loved your 10-minute fashion illustration video, btw. KUDOS! :-)

Thank you ^_^!!! 

I use tombo markers and copic markers! for the black ODLR dress, I used a wide black copic marker and combined it with black ink!

blindcopy asked: We LOVE your work here at Copperwheat. We too are learning fashion illustration to better our sketches for our collections.

Thank you! I’m glad you guys like my work ^_^ 

and Good luck with learning fashion illustration! 

riiasingsing-deactivated2011041 asked: i lovee your sketches! i want to be a fashion designer too (i'm 16 right now), and i do my own illustrations but i was just wondering what medium you use! you're amazing :)

Thanks riiasingsing!

I use tombo markers, water color inks, copic markers, pastels (not oil but I’ll probably start using them soon because I bought a set), colored pencils (rarely), nib pens, and what else…. Oh yeah Gouache! 

Whenever I run out of gouache, I use watercolor or acrylics as alternatives.

You don’t have to stick with these mediums. Use whatever you feel most comfortable with. Good luck!

dreamersideal asked: hi; do you like f.i.t.?? i was thinking about applying. is it hard? or whats your opinion of the school?

FIT’s cool :]

As for applying…First you need to have a really good portfolio to get accepted. I don’t know about other majors but when I applied to the illustration program, there was a portfolio evaluation where we had to come in person, bring our portfolio and draw with a live model. The professors come around to see each person’s level. It’s pretty nerve-wracking but it’s all worth it if you really try your best. Out of all applicants, (the illustration program) takes only 125 students for AAS and 75 students for BFA. I’m sure that other majors in FIT also limit their amount of students strictly so it’s really tough. Good luck!!

So far, FIT’s been great. By being here, you get a lot of connections and you learn a lot from both professors and classmates. It’s a really good place for networking and showcasing your skills and talent!

expressions1994 asked: I don't mean to be bother, and I have ask this question to some FIT Students. But i really wanted to know was how is the social scene at FIT. (like making new friends/cool places to hang out/parties/etc) And most important what is your view on FIT.
I'm trying to narrow down my options from other schools. Sorry for asking for so much.. Great work by the way

The social scene… Well if you decide to go to FIT, you will get a Block system. Meaning you will get stuck with the same people in at least 3-4 classes in one semester or more. Those very people are the ones who are going to stick with you while you’re in FIT (unless you act like a snob- dont or you’ll end up friendless!) Of course there are other ways such as joining clubs and making friends through people you know in FIT. 

Other students can either be friendly and helpful OR totally snobby and hard to deal with. It’s the truth and I’m not gonna cover up for anything. Hopefully you’ll meet lots of the first and only a few of the latter. 

As for cool places… I’m sure there are a lot. Generally kids in FIT are really busy so I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of us who don’t party till all the projects are over.

I’m not really the partying type so I don’t really know much. Sorry about that. I’m more of the “gotta catch the bus so I don’t get home at 11 at night” type of person ;P

ssyzygy-deactivated20110718 asked: I really enjoy your illustrations :) I'm gonna be a freshman this year at FIT. Any tips?

1. Get a locker!!
2. Make sure you have your school ID at all times! Even if the the security guards recognize your face they won’t let you in the building unless you have your ID!!
3. If you’re tight on time and need to go to the computer lab, go in the morning! By 12, it’ll be really packed! same goes for the library computers
4. Don’t leave your stuff unattended. FIT will say its unfashionable but really there are people who’d steal your stuff when you’re gone for at least 5 minutes!
5. make full use of the 4th floor section of the library! the art reference room is freakin awesome! 
6. know your way around the buildings! there are certain floors like 6th and 3rd that connect all the buildings. that’ll come in handy during extreme weather.
7. AH! if you need to access the top floors of the D  building like 4th, 5th or 6th, make sure you get in the elevator 20 minutes before class starts because if you go later, the elevator will be packed!!! BELIEVE ME!!! If you have 10 or 5 minutes to class, go to the E building and take the elevator to the 5th floor which is where the library will be. That same floor connects to the D building 5th floor, so take that to avoid the slow and crowded D building elevators. 
8. follow fashiondesignbooks.com on twitter because sometimes they would give discounts online. they’re the store that sells books and supplies across the street.
9. you’re gonna be stuck with a block for  a whole semester and maybe longer so get comfy and get to know everyone. don’t be snobby because if it turns out that the whole block are friendly towards each other except you, you’ll feel left out and you’ll hate it. Be friendly and help each other out!
10. if u need something printed like business cards or posters, go the graphics lab in the D building in the 5th floor! they’re cheaper than any place. just make sure you give them really specific instructions about your print(s)
11. if for some reason the printers in the computer lab or library dont work, go to staples (29th street 7th avenue). get your credit card ready. printing documents there are only a few cents more expensive than FIT.
12. there are stacks of discount coupons on the 7th floor A building for places like MACYS on 34th, restaurants, broadway shows, art museums etc. Grab some!!!
13. explore 7th avenue! from FIT to Times Square! 
14. Do your best in your classes and have fun!!!!!

I’m sorry it took me a while to respond. I hope these tips help. If you have questions regarding the Illustration department like the classes or the professors, let me know and I’ll try to fill you in. Oh and thanks for liking my illustrations!

See you in FIT and good luck!

tastefulraspberry asked: I wish I was as talented as you, your work is beautiful.. I absolutely loveit. I'd be the proudest person in the world to have a portfolio like urs.
Are you at university? if yes, what do you study, im guessing illustration?
Keep your amazing work up! :) xoxo

Thank you! Right now I’m studying Fashion Illustration in FIT- the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. It’s a state university. Definitely going for BFA in General Illustration after I get my AAS in Fashion Illustration. 

Anonymous asked: Hello,

I just wanted to say that one i love your blog and two i noticed that you attend FIT. and I'm planning on attending next year. and i had some questions. that i hope you don't mind answering.

Why did you choose FIT?
Do you receive any scholarships?
What were your high school grades/test scores like?
What do I like most about FIT school?
What do you like the least?
How is the campus life?
Is FIT in a bad area?
and General advice and tips about FIT?

Please & Thanks

Hi anonymous ~_~;

I apologize for answering so late. Since the summer started I’ve been so lazy ><;; Sorry sorry!! As for your questions, here are some answers

I chose FIT because (1) it was appealing financial wise- only about $3000-$4000 a year compared to other art collages that charge $18000-$50000- and (2) it’s a popular art school.

Unfortunately, FIT doesnt offer scholarships because the tuition is already very cheap. They offer loans and awards. If you are already an independent and you’re financially below the poverty line, you can get grants meaning you can go to FIT for free (although I’m not sure if you have to pay after you graduate. I still have to inquire about that)

You have to have at least an average of 3.0 or better. For more info you can check fitnyc.edu > admissions > undergaduate admissions > how to apply

Hmm what I like most about FIT? I guess the professors because they all work in the field and mostly all of them share their work experiences. Some even give us a taste of the art business ie. extremely strict deadlines, dealing with art directors, agents, etc. 

What I like least? Hmm… Not really unhappy with the school. I didnt like carrying so much stuff everyday but that was my fault because I didnt get a locker! So if you’re going to FIT, DEFINITELY GET A LOCKER!!!

I can’t really comment on Campus Life because I didnt live in the dorms. I commute =/

FIT in a bad area? NOPE! It’s actually cool coz its walking distance, about 15-20 minutes away, from times square. It’s a very commercialized area so it’s always fun to walk around!

Advice and tips? Like I said above, you must get a locker! Make sure you do your homework as soon as possible because it will all pile up if you procastinate! believe me! what else… if you’re having trouble, dont be afraid to ask the staff (registrar, admissions, security, etc)! they wont bite! they’ll be nice to you if you’re nice to them. Hmm… I cant really think of more right now but I’ll post some more tips as the days go along. I hope my answers will help you somehow. I’m really sorry for the late response. Thank you for liking my blog!! And GOOD LUCK!!!

carumelle asked: I love your illustration work! I was thinking about transferring to FIT soon, but I'm not sure if it's the right school for me. How do you like the fashion illustration program? :D Also, have you heard about the computer animation major there? Been curious about that. o_o

Thanks!! In Fashion Illustration, they really push us to draw and paint faster. We draw the models (nude/clothed) a lot that’s why students who come out of fashion illustration have more of an advantage to drawing the human figure than the General illustration students. In General Illustration, they mostly do concepts and projects. They draw the model a few times and then the next few weeks, they incorporate their drawings from class to a project. 

I love fashion illustration because everything’s fast paced but we learn a lot of techniques and improve our drawing/painting skills quickly. The professors are all working in the art field and they’re really well known too. 

I’ve seen some computer animations on the tv screens around campus and their pretty good. I haven’t met any computer animators yet but I heard you have to be really focused on the computer if you want to get in the field. I don’t mean internet surfing or blogging but knowing animation softwares. 

Whether Illustration or Animation, you will need a lot of patience, hard work, and PASSION to be successful at your choice.