wendyding.com » Sketches

Photos: Sketching at Holt Renfrew

Wendy — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:58:33 +0000

‘Tis the season! And what a fine way to spend it by sketching portraits at the Holt Renfrew company holiday party. Many thanks to Kelly May for inviting me to the event, it was great fun drawing everyone decked out in a Christmas / winter wonderland theme. Tacky holiday sweaters, oh my!

Photos: Sketching at Marlon Durrant Party

Wendy — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:10:01 +0000

I was invited to sketch guests last night at the Marlon Durrant party. It took place in Toronto’s Distillery Historic District. The event was full of elegantly dressed party goers, great food, drinks, and the entire neighborhood was decked out in merry holiday decoration. I ended up meeting several colleagues of colleagues! Thanks to Danielle Meder for referring me for the gig. Photos below:

Anne Cayer from FAT. What a coincidence to see her, I only met her a few weeks ago!" class="shutterset_marlon-durant-2011" >

Rock It Promotions" class="shutterset_marlon-durant-2011" >

Sharad Mohan from Freshly Educated Men" class="shutterset_marlon-durant-2011" >

Photos: Sketching at George Brown House

Wendy — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:12:57 +0000

Above: I asked if I could turn his regular glasses into heart-shaped ones and he said yes!

Had a great time yesterday sketching at the historic George Brown House for an engagement party. Everyone was in good spirits, well-dressed and happy to get their portrait on! Here are some highlights.

The Art of Sales

Wendy — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:38:52 +0000

Above: I drew a quick portrait of Casie Stewart during downtime. I’d say blue’s her colour!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending The Art of Sales at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre thanks to blogger extraordinaire Casie Stewart. She gave away two extra tickets + lunch in a contest and I was one of the lucky winners! What made this even sweeter is the conference featured TWO of my favourite innovation / career advice authors / speakers: Seth Godin and Sally Hogshead. Both were captivating, spoke brilliantly and I love their books to death.

My gift to Casie for taking me to this amazing event!

More lucky folks who got to see the show! L-R: Sheryl Worth (Casie’s first boss after uni!), Casie, moi (I’m not sulking, merely mid-pose), Teresa Randall and Dan Levy (who took the photo).

Seth Godin‘s in da house! His book “The Dip” helped me put things into perspective after college.

So happy to meet Sally Hogshead! Her book “Fascinate” (one of my faves) talks about unleashing triggers that intrinsically make you fascinating.

Cool inspirational art by Switchvideo, an event sponsor. I got “Be An Artist” and “Make Mistakes” pegged.

Topshop Sketches

Wendy — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:49:02 +0000

Above: This cut-out polka dot dress is perfect for a soiree. And check out that metal heel boot!

The first and only time I’ve been to Topshop was in New York two years ago and it was love at first sight. I’ve since longed for a day when I can visit one Toronto, my home city. Such a dream became reality this past weekend as I finally visited the new Topshop / Topman at Yorkdale Mall! Even the in-store music was taken right from my playlist – back to back Friendly Fires, Strokes and Lykke Li? I’m in heaven.

Needless to say, I fell in love with too many things to name but played it safe (this time) and only got a pair of double seamed stockings and a lilac lipstick named “On the Town“. The visit also inspired me to create sketches of some of my favourite things. Think I’ll be back soon for some holiday shopping!

Boyfriend tried on button-down shirts in plaid and chambray, corduroy pants and woolly cardigans. I for one dig the cardigan layered on shirt look.

Teal’s the deal. Love this dress, these shoes, and this clutch.

Can’t go wrong with a bodycon zippered dress, funky sunglasses, rocking necklace and leopard heels.

The next day, I had a fashion shoot / video interview with Toronto blogger Marcus Kan. He told me to dress and accessorize it up so I went with a Material Girl asymmetrical jersey dress with mesh cutouts, Forever 21 vest, layered Topshop and Jacob stockings, and Aldo shoes. Accessories include a Fashion Whore necklace and Tarina Tarantino ring. Last but not least: behold my new haircut!

Photos: Sketching at M5V Party

Wendy — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:57:06 +0000

Last night, I sketched portraits at the M5V Realty: Streetcar Lofts party. It was an event to promote the swanky loft condos in Toronto’s trendy Queen Street West area. I kicked it up a notch and brought *drum roll* new colours to the mix! Oh yes, it was a blast adding pink, blue, yellow and red to the portraits.

The event itself was fabulous with endless waves of delicious hors d’oeuvres, open bar and funky music thanks to the DJ. Here are highlights from the night:

Photos: Sketching at a Baby Shower

Wendy — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:11:38 +0000

I was invited by a volunteer I met at Boobyball (which I sketched at last month) to sketch portraits at her baby shower today! It took place at the Richmond Hill Country Club (just north of Toronto) and was a lovely afternoon with joyous relatives and friends of the mom-to-be. Here are photos from the event:

Photos: Sketching at Maya Chendke’s Book Launch

Wendy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:20:28 +0000

I was invited to sketch portraits at Toronto author Maya Chendke’s launch party for her new book Awake But Dreaming last night. The event took place at the downtown Toronto swanky Shangri-La presentation centre. It was a joyful night with lots of guests, desserts, and a live pianist! Here are some highlights:

Photos: Sketching at Boobyball 2011

Wendy — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:33:42 +0000

The lovely Ainsley Kerr of Rethink Breast Cancer (whose portrait I sketched at TIFF last month) kindly invited me to sketch portraits of guests at Boobyball Toronto. It’s an annual fundraiser gala for breast cancer awareness and this year marks the charity’s 10th anniversary. With the theme of “a 10-year-old’s birthday party”, everything was pretty in pink, bubbly and fun! I donned my frilly pink crinoline for the night and even got new brush pens in various shades of pink for the theme. Here are some highlights:

Photos: Sketching at Epique Lounge

Wendy — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:57:14 +0000

Above: He asked me to draw lipstick marks all over! Wish I had thought of it.

I’ve been doing lots of on-site portrait sketching gigs lately! These are the latest from Saturday, September 24 at Epique Lounge in Yorkville, Toronto. I was (gladly) hired last minute to sketch at a private birthday function. It was unlike any previous sketching experiences because A: it took place later at night (10pm – midnight), B: people were in better, more fun-loving spirits thanks to the alcohol, and C: I sketched in semi-darkness so it was fun to see how the sketches turned out after.

It was also refreshing to draw mostly men for a change as the sitters from previous gigs were mainly women. Needless to say I had a blast! Check out portraits of the birthday guests below: