Lotus Head

Lotus Head Digital Collage 2012

Making of CLEAR Campaign

Hi Guys, I got some request on my process of creating a character. I tot of doing a simple show and tell.

First off, after getting a brief, I would usually create a series of loose sketches. It's for me to get the feel and look of the campaign as well as to look into the kind of clothings being donned on the character. Pose is also another key factor as well as some gadgets depending on the setting.

Facial Expression / Head Studies

Adding some gadgets

Costumes approved. Pose studies

Final Confirmation from clients.

OK. Now for the coloring. Basically it's done in 6 steps. From a sketch to a refined sketch. Flat colors. Add shadow. Detailing and more fine tuning. It's the same process as THIS.

Progress

P>S: the main thing is always understand the reflectivity of flesh as compared to other materials. Basic 3D lightning fundamentals does apply to digital painting as well : ) peace, B

CLEAR Escape Dirt City

Splash Page

Here's something I do for a living other than drawing naked chicks. I was commissioned to do some illustration work for CLEAR shampoo. It's basically a web game that enable google maps. The game involves illustration, programming as well as 3D elements.

Protagonist Character Shots

Some monster designs as well. I don't have the 3D shots but you guys can click HERE for the game itself. They are based on various characteristic and animals such as bats, dogs, etc. Oh yes, there's also in game illusts done by me as well.

Once again, big ups to the folks @ Kilo and Arcade for the gig. Go local folks. CLICK HERE FOR THE GAME.
peace, B

Gap 0% Plastic Bag 2012

Green Revolution

Collab with GAP for Earth Day 2012.

"Just like the graffiti act of "tagging" indicates a marked territory, we create our carbon footprint through our actions. Let us "untag" our carbon footprint by joining the green revolution."

10 pieces to give away. Interested please email: benqwek@gmail.com

Japan Cinema Interview

Maggie Q @___@

Here's the interview i did with Japan Cinema.

Thanks Marcello!

CLICK HERE.

Art of Rebellion : 宁死不屈

Screens shots of the progress

宁死不屈

 This is my submission for the Art of Rebellion, based on the Chinese idiom: 宁死不屈, death over submission. Its running edition of 10, giclee print on watercolor paper. 


The show will be on 14APRIL 2012 @ Geylang Lor24A, remember its 24A not 24. 24 brings you to the red light district if thats ur thing.

24 artists and 3 poets execute a contemporary exploration of Chinese culture; a play on the power of idiomatic suggestion.

The Art of Rebellion ▷ visual interpretations of idioms ▷
eeshaun / winnie goh / ben qwek / adeline tan / brick / xiaobao / antz / kittozutto / xiao yan / zxerokool / roy wang / michy witchy / messymsxi / tiffany tan / sun lee / pigologist / xinjie / leonard wee / cleo / kristal melson / XOTL / pamm hong / zhao renhui / SUSEJ

The Wanderlust of Words ▷ idiomatic haiku scrolls ▷
ng yi-sheng / amanda lee / rebecca toh

Opening night: 14/4, 7-11pm
feat. DJs
pamm hong / sarah chan / troupemaster / nat h.

Exhibition week: 15/4 - 22/4, 2-8pm

Curated by studioKALEIDO (Winnie Goh + Amanda Lee)

Sponsors:
42Below / The Lorong 24A Shophouse Series / Pocket Projects / Orita Sinclair

FULL EDM

UAOF Store 同族一潮 . 店 Now Open

UAOF - Unite Asia One Fashion Snaps

Door Front of the Store

Proud to be Asian!

 Hi Guys, its been almost 4months since my last post. Good to be back! Here's what I've been up: A RETAIL STORE and FASHION LABEL!

UAOF 同族一潮 was conceived with local pride and South East Asian vibes.

The guys behind the brand expressed their inspirations of South East Asian exposure and Singapore culture by designing garments that held steadfast to their beliefs. They believed by uniting together, South East Asia’s potential in the culture, fashion, design and the arts holds no boundaries. UAOF stands strong for Unite Asia One Fashion.

The UAOF Store (同族一潮 . 店) is where these tribal arsenals and accessories are. It is also the space where invited like-minded and cross-border brands, artists and designers can meet, trunk and collaborate.

Unite. We welcome you to be proud of our roots.

Expect more updates and the usual painting /illos. 2012 is gonna fcking awesome : )

ZOUK x DR. MARTENS Present #FIRST Exhibition: Ben Qwek (MRB) (Special Collab!)

The event's over, thanks to all my friends who came down to support: U.A.O.F, K.I.N, The Entourage, Jayne and Venon u know who you are! Big ups to the Zouks' gals for all the help. You can check out some features @:

Streething
Hypebeast

Please bid for my shoes for charity: HERE

The auction ends at about 8.30pm on the 13th of October. Bidding starts at $50 or can be bought immediately at $488.

They’re also on display at The Pigeonhole, 52&53 Duxton Rd till the 13th of October. Do drop by to check them out k. peace, B!

SURFACE Asia x Moving Stills

Featuring the works of Sheryo, Aiman, ClogTwo, Brendan Fitzpatrick, Kim Xu and Ben Qwek (MRB)

SURFACE Asia feature on the Moving Stills exhibition @ Vue Privee!

Head here to buy the prints: Vue Privee

Ben Qwek for ZOUK x DR MARTENS

"God Save The Slut"
My inspiration draws upon the iconic album artwork by Jamie Reid for Sex Pistol's “God Save the Queen”. “Redemption” and “Party Sluts” were the two main elements in the creation which consists of hand pulled silkscreened fabrics snitched like a ransom note and a DIY rosary.

Photo by Ivanho Harlim

ZOUK X DR. MARTENS COLLABORATION IN CELEBRATION OF ZOUK’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY & DR. MARTENS #FIRSTANDFOREVER CAMPAIGN

This October, Singapore’s nightlife Mecca Zouk has tied up exclusively with Dr. Martens to present a unique collection of the latter’s iconic 1461 3-Eye shoe specially designed by 20 of the scene’s players, trailblazers, creatives & thinkers alike in celebration of Zouk’s 20 glorious years of music, dance and culture and Dr. Martens’ #FIRST 1461 3-Eye Shoe Customization in Singapore.

In this union of two world-class lifestyle brands brought together through their mutual love for style, opening minds and pushing boundaries, each personality was given a pair of limited edition Dr. Martens 1461 3-Eye shoe - with their signature stitching in green instead of the iconic yellow - on which they can express their feelings toward the internationally-renowned club, incorporating the Zouk identity on their blank canvases with artistic freedom & creative liberation, thereby adding a quaint and personal touch to each design.

Progress snaps

The footwear, together with photos shot by acclaimed photographer Ivanho Harlim, will then be exhibited in Zouk, a mini art gallery in itself on 7 October 2011 and will be auctioned off post-event from 8 to 25 October 2011, with all proceeds going to Zouk’s adopted charity
for 2011: Make-A-Wish Foundation®.

Link for the auction as follows:
myworld.ebay.com.sg/zouksingapore

Zouk and Dr.Martens would like to extend a very special thank you to Ivanho Harlim, Martin Yeoh and the following contributors for making this collaboration a success.

BEN QWEK 

CARACAL 

DARKER THAN WAX 

EARN CHEN 

GUAN MIN 

HOLLY GRABAREK
JAHAN 

JASMINE TUAN 

KUANTH 

LARRY LAM 

LEFTFOOT 

MAX TAN 

OWNMUSE
:PHUNK STUDIO 

POPTART 

SHINICHI OSAWA 

SYNDICATE 

WEICHOONG 

YAN DA

Hope to see ya guys there, peace, B

"THE LONGING" for SHAPESHIFTERS3

Collab with Leia Ham

Custom Superga Shoes

Here's a snap of the actual.

Here's a recap of SHAPESHIFTERS3! Big thanks to Drayson, Max and all the good people who made SS3 possible. And congrats to Leia Ham and the rest of the students! peace, B

HERE.

SHAPESHIFTERS03

Hey guys, SHAPESHIFTERS is up this week. Drop by for a pre-national day art-feast with your local heroes alongside some up-and-coming students. Seeya there, local focal.

HERE.

3RD WARD OPEN CALL: Vote for B!!!

NEED VOTES SO THAT I ISH GO TO TAIWAN AND NYC!

VOTE FOR B!

Deadmau5 Head Design Competition

80sKIDS - Tokyo

Quirky hand illustrated juxtaposition of Japanese elements that inspired me as a kid growing up in the 80s. Nothing beats pin up centerfolds, 8bit video games and Ultraman!

Please head down to the link and like, share, and vote for my design. Head down to the link     

 HERE!

CAPCOM X IFS X MRB

Ben Qwek(MRB) with customed Viper deck.

Homies with their decks : )

In celebration of the new Street Fighter release, Capcom has generously donated eight skateboard decks, which will soon be auctioned off to benefit Music for Relief. These awesome decks were designed by the Imaginary Friends Studio artists pictured above. All proceeds benefit our ongoing relief efforts in Japan in partnership with Save the Children.

Link HERE. 

Stay tuned of more details : ) Peace, B!