Blog and Artwork updates of Singapore caricaturist, portrait artist and illustrator - Jit

Kindly note that rates quoted do not include the release of copyright ownership.
All copyright ownership resides with Portrait Workshop.

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Yahoo! Photos closing....

"Dear Yahoo! Photos user,
For some time now, we've supported two great photo sharing services: Yahoo! Photos and Flickr. But even good things come to an end, and we've decided to close Yahoo! Photos to focus all our efforts on Flickr — the award-winning photo sharing community that TIME Magazine has called "completely addictive."
We will officially close Yahoo! Photos on Thursday, September 20, 2007, at 9 p.m. PDT. Until then, we are offering you the opportunity to move to another photo sharing service (Flickr, KODAK Gallery, Shutterfly, Snapfish, or Photobucket), download your original-resolution photos back to your computer, or buy an archive CD from our featured partner (for users of the New Yahoo! Photos only). All you need to do is
tell us what to do with your photos before we close, after which any photos remaining on Yahoo! Photos will be deleted and no longer accessible.
Of course, we hope you'll join us at Flickr (you can even use your Yahoo! ID), but we also realize that Flickr may not be for everyone. In the end, we want you to find the service that's right for you, and we hope you take some time to learn more about your options before making this important decision.
Please give us your decision by Thursday, September 20, 2007, at 9 p.m. PDT. After that time, any photos remaining in Yahoo! Photos will be deleted...."


Saw this news few days ago on a blog. It was an jpeg image, and not in words.
Thought it was kind of a spam or whatever. So I ignored it.
The first thing that came into my mind was Flickr won't close down. There were so many users who had paid them at least 24 months in advance. If they close it down like that, they will get lots of complains flooding in. I will be one of them. Not because of the money, but because I have so many images of my drawings and digital photos uploaded there and link to my blogs. Once those images were deleted, my blog will have lots of dead links and empty images.

Received the above email this evening.
My first reaction was to check the sender, afraid it was a spam again.
It was from Yahoo.
Read on.... luckily it was for Yahoo! Photos user, and not Flickr users.
"Even good things come to an end" - I think it is "free things will come to an end"
Don't know when this will happen to Blogger.
Hope this day won't come.
Even if it comes, please give me the option to pay up for uploading my content to their server. Just afraid that my months or even years (by then) of effort in keying in the contents and putting up my drawings will be thrown down the drain.
Currently, Blogger, or to be more precised, Google still need fresh contents from bloggers for surfers to search for informations online. Google can display Adsense/Adwords which account 99% of their corporate income. They still gain from this free service to the bloggers. That's why it is free. Anyway, they are not the only site which offer free blogging. By charging a fee or closing it down, it won't do them any good. It is as good as pushing their earnings to their competitors. Hence, I don't foresee them doing this in the near future.
Hopefully, I am right...............
If not, jialat!!!

Caricature for Wong Partnership


Another order from Wong Partnership. Think it is a farewell gift too.
The client wanted the old Supreme Court (at Padang, Singapore) in the background, with the lawyer with his suitcase in teh foreground.

Caricature for AMEX


A farewell gift also. A2 size.
Drawn this guy before. Can you see him here?
He is a technical guy of American Express (AMEX) in Singapore, but posted to Amex in England.
Thus, his colleagues came out with this idea of him, leaping out of Singapore, running away from the falling blackberries from the sky, towards Buckingham Palace with the Queen welcoming him.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Caricature theme - goalkeeper and soccer player

Farewell gift fromm the football team.
Quite pleased with the outcome of these 2 caricatures. Clean and classic feel!
Though the photos provided were bad in resolution, I still managed to sketch their features out, as they both have rather unique features.

This goalkeeper is a Scottish.
Thus, the client wanted him to be in a Scottish kilt.


Big belly with the words 'Fat Tony' soccer player, probably due his likes for beer.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Caricature for Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS)


Client's brief:-
"Caricature as a farewell gift to my director, Colin Chew.Create a portrait of him riding on a mountain bike (he cycle to work), with one leg wearing a roller blade and the other leg wearing a cast. My boss wears this kind of cast after he fractured his feet from roller blading. On the background, there would be a building of Revenue House (Income Tax Building) or and somewhere in the background there would be a stretch of Pole Dancer (not too sexy please) in a “RA CaBaret” (This actually represents our branch ie Revenue Accounting Branch - RAB in short). To place a note "Thank you and All the best for your future endervours" (can cut short if its too much)"

The client was very happy with the outcome, but told me that I left out the wording"RAB".
She will bring it in next week for me to add in.

Caricature theme - graduation


A graduation gift.
I drew him jumping in the air with joy.
Getting a few of such orders every year in May and June period - the graduation months.

Buggy Blogger again!

Posted up the event I have sketched for Mountbatten 50th Anniversary, but didn't see it appearing on the blog. Read through the help sections. Seems like it is a problem which will occur occasionally. One of the solutions is to add a "?" behind the url, and it will appear. Strange, but it works.
Let me know if you can see it without the "?" added.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Caricature in colour


Quite enjoyed when drawing this caricature, as her features are fun to 'sculpture' out.

Pencil portrait for United Overseas Bank Limited


A birthday gift - portrait in pencil, to the client's boss.

Caricature for Singapore Armed Forces


A farewell gift.
This order came in before I went to Italy.
Wanted to refund the deposit to the client for being unable to deliver on time, but he was willing to wait.
The theme was given by him. He wanted this officer to suspend from the helicopter (Sorry, but can't remember the model of this helicopter which he has mentioned.), with the Guards logo on top.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Caricature for Singapore Press Holding



A token of appreciation to this gentleman - Mr Dennis Foo, from The Straits Times.
Think he must be a famous guy, (though I don't know him. Hahaha......) as I have drawn him quite a number of times - orders from Asia Pacific Breweries (APB).
Drawn on an A2 size, probably the client wanted to make this more impressive when presenting this caricature to him. Price is doubled of my usual rate, as it is doubled the normal size of A3.
Background is St James Power Station. Popular hangout recently. Maybe he has business here too, given that this place is famous for pubs and beer, and I have sketched here for APB and Singapore Press Club events too.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Portrait of a lady in pencil


An order from an old customer.
He still has my old namecard given to him when I was working in Clarke Quay.
He told me that card only had my pager number on it. Wah! That was last decade, last century. Hahaha.... The website url on that card was the one hosted with Pacific Net. Luckily, I have updated and diverted it to my current website. That was how he found me.

wedding invitation card




Received this wedding invitation card when I was away in Italy.
My wife told me that my client invited me to their wedding.
Haha.... thought it was a red bomb.
The client promised me to send me a copy of the printed invitation card with the caricatures I have drawn for them.
Thank you for the card, Roxanne.

Caricature live sketching for Mounbatten 50th Anniversary

Dragged myself out of the bed today. Went to bed around 12am last night, but only managed get to sleep at 3am+. Why? Because of that little devil - my daughter, doesn't want to sleep till 3am+.
Had a bad running nose this morning. My nose was like a leaking tap. Luckily, I managed to buy Panadol from the shop behind my sketching booth. (Can't imagine my look if without the pills, when Mr Lim Swee Say spoke to me!)
Initial booking for this event was from 8:30am-10:30am, but extended for another hour due to long queue. The organiser, Katong Community Centre, didn't want to disappoint the residents.
This event was to celebrate the launch of the Mountbatten 50th Anniversary logo.
Ministers of the Parliament - Mr. Lim Swee Say, Mr. Lim Biow Chuan and Dr Fatimah Lateef were invited to launch it.








These 2 boys bought me a bottle of 100 Plus. Thank you.
How considerate of you, though I have a bottle of mineral water bought with the Panadol.















She was holding an umbrella when she was queueing for her turn.
In order not to have the impression of holding a 'tongkat', I drew her swinging her legs.






Time extension after this mother.
Went to put 1 more hour of parking coupon.
Don't want to kena fine by the "aunties'.
The mother (above) was really happy that her 2 daughters (below) got a chance to be drawn.
She bought me fried carrot cakes and a bottle of green tea, after knowing that I have not taken my breakfast. (Didn't have the chance to eat anyway!)


The crowd thought they are twins, maybe because of their dress and braids.
They do have some similarities in their features, but not to the extent of twins.








Saturday, June 23, 2007

Caricature for Singapore Smart Telecommunications Pte Ltd


Urgent order again! The client needed it to be framed. She placed her order on Friday, collection next Monday. I have to finish it today, send for framing tomorrow, and collect it beforeI go to my shop on Monday.

Caricatures for Katong Community Centre


The client's brief:-

"Mr. Lim Swee Say (http://www.parliament.gov.sg/AboutUs/Org-MP-MP-Prof-LimSweeSay.htm )
Mr. Lim Biow Chuan (
http://www.parliament.gov.sg/AboutUs/Org-MP-MP-Prof-LimBiowChuan.htm )
Dr Fatimah Lateef (
http://www.parliament.gov.sg/AboutUs/Org-MP-MP-Prof-Fatimah.htm )

Theme and some small details:
Carnival theme
show three of them pressing the button to launch our logo (pix of launch button attached - mvc launcher.doc)
three of them with orchid garland on them, casual dressing - short sleeve shirt and pants for guys, and Dr Fatimah in blouse and skirt
Left side: Dr Fatimah Lateef. centre: Lim Swee Say. Right: Lim Biow Chuan
to pass to us on 24th June during the event
3 copies with frame (do i meet you next week to select frame?)"


To redraw 3 copies, I will have to charge the client 3 persons multiply by 3 copies, which will exceed their budget. I proposed to have the original caricatures drawn scanned in, and print out 3 copies. They agreed, and my new Canon Pro9000 finally got its first job.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Portrait in pencil


Really urgent order. Same day delivery, as this friend (the lady in the portrait) of the client will be leaving town tomorrow. He wanted to give this pencil portrait to her before she goes.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Portraits of an Indian couple in pencil


One more postponed order.
A few more to go before I can clear up those orders collected before my Iactiontaly trip.
Took me more than 2 hours to draw. Unbelievable long.
Perhaps due too much distraction (watching tv drama while drawing)? Tiredness (took a 25mins nap in between)? or too much shading and details needed to be put in this couple portraits???
Maybe all of the above.

Couple's caricature in colour


Another postponed order.
The client agreed to postpone the delivery date.

How is my writing?


Saw this writing by my son on the coffee table this morning.
Hahaha....
Bei tahan.
What has riding, running etc has to do with writing?
Seems like he was distracted at the end of his writing, thinking only of playing.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Caricature theme - wedding on Beetle vintage


Missed out this order.
My wife supposed to email me the orders to be dued before I came back from Italy.
I will have to inform my clients that I wont be able to deliver on time and will have to refund them the deposit.
Luckily, the client called me up on to check whether she can come by to collect her caricatures today. I told her my situation and she was fine with the arrangement of collecting tomorrow.
Back to the caricature theme, she wanted to have both of them in wedding suit on a vintage Beetle, with a 'Just Married' on the number plate. I have chosen a red Beetle and a red frame for her, so that it will look better when frame up, as shhe opted for a simple basic frame without border.

Caricatures for Daimler Chrysler


Can't remember whether this was meant to be a birthday or farewell gift for the family, as this order came in before I left for Italy. Nearly can't delivered this on time, as my stay in Italy was extended because the doctor needed my mum to stay for a few days in Italy before flying back to Singapore. She was not fit for a flight right after discharged.
First time drawing "The Incredibles" theme, few years after the movie was screened.
Some changes gere whereby Violet was replaced by the client's elder son and Jack Jack (the baby) was replaced by a baby girl.


Framed up version. The engraving was done by the client,and passed to me for framing.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Back!

Arrived Singapore around 7:50am. 12 hours flight.
Can't sleep on plane due to time difference.
Watched 5 movies on plane, as compared to 2 movies on the flight to Milan. Shiok!!!
Took a day off.
Shop closed for 1 more day.
Went to see my daughter and son at my in-laws' place after taking a 3.5 hours nap.
Did the first drawing after 2 weeks of 'rest'(?)
Meant to be collected today.

Tons of photos taken in Italy, to upload to Flickr.
Share with you later on my Italy trip when I have cleared my stuffs on hand.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Quick updates from Milan.....

I am in Milan today. 5:58am now, using the internet connection at the Express Holiday Inn Hotel which I will be staying for the night. Quite expensive of 3 Euro per hour, but reasonable as compared to the one I used in Pietra Ligure of 0.50 Euro per 5 mins.
My flight back to Singapore is 2pm (Milan time) tomorrow, ie. Singapore time will be 8pm.
I should reach Singapore at 7:55am on Tuesday. Hopefully no unexpected things happens along the way.
I missed my life, my wife, my kids, my friends..... everything in Singapore. Wondering if they miss me too. Hahaha......
Taken more than 1700 photos during my 2 weeks stay in Italy. Life here is just so boring. Main reason is no internet connection, which makes me feel so disconnected with them. I try to keep myself busy with my D80. Of course, I spent some good time with my siblings and mum here. It was hard for all of us to gather in one place at the same time.
Lots of stuff to do when I am back....

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Blogging from Pietra Ligure.....

Trapped here for nearly a week.
Not in Milan, but a village called Pietra Ligure, about 260km from Milan.
This place is famous for the beach, as Italian comes here for their summer holidays.
I am here because my mum has blood clog in her brain while she is having her Europe tour here at the beginning of this month. She lost consciousness on her way to Milan.
My aunt and my younger sister who are on the same trip with her, called me on the 5th June, around 11:38pm, asked me to fly over. They said it was a matter of life and death, as claimed by the doctors near Milan. At that time, they said there was bleeding in her brain.
They sent her to Santa Corona Hospital for surgery. The doctors here are more specialised. They diagnozed and said it was only blood clog, due to past injuries.
After 12 hours+ flight, travelled about 12741km, we reached Pietra Ligure.
No internet connection in the hotels. I am blogging from a internet checkpoint rather faraway from my apartment, about 20 mins walk. Wasted my effort in bringing my laptop all the way here.
Latest news is that I may be able to reach Singapore on the 19th June 7:55am.
Hopefully no more delay, but all depends on my mum's condition, as she is just discharged, and doctor said she is not fit to board on plane so soon.
Got to go now, as my brother and sister are waiting for me.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Out of town to Milan!

Due to some urgent personal matters, I will have to go all the way To Milan, Italy tonight.
Don't know how Iong I have to be there, Hopefully not more than 2 weeks.
This was a very last minute thing.
I have to refund some customers for their orders in the coming 2 weeks.
You still can email me for anything urgent matters or enquiries.
I will try to check and reply the emails everyday, provided I can get internet connection there.
Alternatively you can reach my wife Mon Wei at her mobile - 96700435 .
As she has to work too, she may not be able to pick up all calls. Please call after office hour.

Portrait in pencil


Cleared this last order before I leave for Milan tonight.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Caricature theme - Guess + St James Power Station


A gift for this girl who works in St. James Power Station.
The client requested a Guess handbag in her hand. Got the reference from Google Images. It looked quite good, when drawn out.

Caricature theme - Lawyer



A birthday gift to this gentleman in this caricature drawing.
No idea from which law firm he is from.

Monday, June 04, 2007

Caricature theme - wedding @ Keong Saik Road


This was a wedding gift to this couple.
The client's brief:-
"They met each other at their previous work place (located at Keong Saik street)......
The bride told me that Keong Saik Road is a memorable place......."

A new posture this time, inspired from their facial expression. Background is the photo of the buildings in Keong Saik Road, provided by the client.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Caricature for Syngenta


A farewell gift. The theme is golf - favourite sport amongst the bosses.
They wanted the wordings :- "This ad is brought to you by the following sponsors..."
as they are planning to put their names and photos on the back of the frame.

Hi......



While blogging for my daughter, saw this photo which I quite like, just that the angle captured was a bit slanted. It should look better if I can zoom in more, but that was the limit of my 18mm-135mm kit lens.
My viewfinder was following her, waiting to capture any special moments. She was walking around the stone seat and suddenly she stopped and squatted down. (See photo on top) I shifted my viewfinder and saw a Malay boy was looking at her. She just stayed at that position, looking at him too.
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