Esther Shin

Starfish Project

2012-01-16T15:47:00.000-08:00

In July, 2011, I went to Beijing, China for a two weeks missions trip. On the second week of the trip, my team went to Starfish, a socially conscious organization that supports exploited women through the sale of jewelries . They were preparing for a new catalogue for the next season and they needed somebody to edit their photos. At first, all of us went there not knowing what to expect, and by the end of the week, I was grateful to use my time and talents for the greater purpose.

My job was to make the models in the picture look prettier and to make jewelries stand out more. I gave more clean looks by erasing moles and wrinkles, adjusting light on the surroundings and the jewelries. Visit Starfish and support their cause by purchasing their jewelries.

Cleaned hair, erased moles and nail polish on the hand.

Cleaned hair, removed nail polish and bra lines showing through the shirt, filling in the background, brightness and contrast.

Cleaned hair, removing a glare on the pendant, removed nail polish

Removed the line crossing on the dress, brightness and contrast on the necklace

Cleaned hair, removed the glare on the pendant

Cleaned hair, erased some moles and wrinkles

Hope

2011-07-01T00:17:00.001-07:00

This painting was for an art auction that was held on 6/17/2011 against Human Trafficking especially for the sexually exploited victims. My school friends were holding the event, so I got to put my hands on in details during the preparation time and share my inputs. Many of my CalArts friends came to support. The goal was to raise $5,000 and we raised $4,600. They were given to two organizations: She Dances and Zoe. About two days after the event, the director of She Dances personally expressed his gratitude and said the money we raised will be specifically used to help a girl from Honduras. I was thankful that our time, work, and talents helped a person's life to be changed. It was special event for myself as well because I have heart for human trafficking and it gave me an opportunity to use my talent for others.

This piece is almost my self-portrait. I like to put meanings and stories into my work. It took me awhile to bring out the images out from my head to an actual drawing. It went through several revisions.

At the time I painted this, I was struggling with the emotion I had. I felt like I was stranded in the life situation. In fact, I've always felt like that from young age. I pictured myself as a bird captured in a shell, wanting to break out, or a person wrapped around sticky heavy web, and can't get out of it. I wanted to be free. I'm sure everyone felt the same at some point in their lives. So I painted this image as a symbolism of my hope. One day, I'll be free, lifted up from the deep swamp. Not only after life but even in this life. My wish was that whoever buys my painting (my friend bought it) will look at my painting and get hope so that they can pick themselves up.

CupcakeCamp OC T-shirts

2010-08-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

These are the t-shirt designs I did for Cupcake Camp OC. Four of my friends and I organized this event to raise awareness and funds for human trafficking. It was held on August 1, 2010 at Atrium Hotel in Irvine. More than 1,000 people came, over 5000 cupcakes were donated, and we raised $9,100!!!! Definitely it was memorable moments. Here is the link to the website. http://cupcakecampoc.wordpress.com/

This one made to the final!! Do you get the joke? A cake in a cup, trying to be a cupcake!!

The bottom two designs are edited version of my friend, Hannah's design.

Noah's Ark

2010-04-12T14:47:00.000-07:00

This was the sample for a possible illustration freelance job. The client wanted to put biblical scenes on a deck of playing cards. Each number from one through thirteen represented something in the bible. For this one, the client wanted the story of Noah's ark because the number of people who went into the ark which was Noah's family was 8. Although i didn't get the job, it was fun to draw.

The Company

2009-05-09T15:35:00.001-07:00

They are from one of my favorite dance movies called, 'The Company.' It has some beautiful choreograph. I was amazed how beautiful human bodies are.

Javelin

2009-05-09T15:32:00.001-07:00

What are you up to?!!

2009-02-26T16:34:00.000-08:00

It took me a while to figure out the right texture and color of the paint. I wanted to keep the flashy feeling of the skin and keep the wings to be transparent. Thinking of this character, I wanted the texture to look more organic, aged, and wild. Instead of acrylic, I used more gouach and watercolor.

Coming home...

2008-10-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

CG Protege

2008-08-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

CG Protege was one of the school we taught in Singapore.

2008-08-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

Subway

2008-08-25T16:03:00.000-07:00

One of the best thing in Singapore. I mean it.

Movie Theatre

2008-08-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

Flow~

2008-08-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

Libby

2008-08-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when you are really really tired and don't want to draw, and you go 'Ah!!! whatever!!' the best drawings come out? I mean this is not the best-drawing-ever but this one came out better than what I expected. Whenever that happens, it makes me think 'should i make myself always tired?' (stupid me....)

Libby

2008-08-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

2008-08-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

Posing

2008-08-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

At the Lucas life drawing workshop, we posed for each other on last session. It was so fun~! Since I was the only girl in the class, I ended up posing several times. It was interesting to see how everyone interpreted me in different way.

2008-08-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

Mirror

2008-08-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

The original drawing is only the half of this image. John Mahoney did some twicking on my work and i liked it.

Having trouble uploading..

2008-05-15T15:35:00.000-07:00

okay, i tried to upload my film like 50 times, but it wouldn't let me..... >=(

The Evil One

2008-05-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

This is my character. He is my baby. Although he is very mischievous and evil, I love him!!!!!

2008-05-09T23:23:00.000-07:00

2008-05-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

I sculpted only the torso because his body structure was complicated. I was glad I built his body because it helped a lot when I was animating.

Town

2008-05-09T22:58:00.000-07:00

2008-05-09T22:57:00.000-07:00

2008-05-09T22:55:00.000-07:00

Temple & archangel

2008-05-09T22:54:00.000-07:00

2008-05-09T22:53:00.000-07:00

2008-05-09T22:51:00.000-07:00

Early temple sketch

2008-05-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

2008-05-09T22:40:00.000-07:00

2008-05-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

Early sketches of caves

2008-05-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

2008-05-09T21:38:00.000-07:00

Concept sketches for cave

2008-05-09T21:36:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by 20th century illustrator, Kay Nielsen and I tried to bring that style into my film.

Long shot of cave Final

2008-05-09T21:30:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite layout from my film.

BG shade

2008-05-09T21:29:00.000-07:00

Long shot of cave

2008-05-09T21:28:00.000-07:00

The first pass of the cave layout.

2008-05-09T21:11:00.000-07:00

Version 3.

2008-05-09T21:10:00.000-07:00

Version 2. Black and white, and little bit of color

2008-05-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

Version 1 of outside the cave

Base shade

2008-05-09T21:05:00.000-07:00

This is my background shade I used for the layout. Not even setting the tone of the layout, charcoal added rough texture of rock.

Outside cave watercolor

2008-05-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

This was my first layout for the scene. I loved how the line design and watercolor texture came out, but was not successful on building up emotion of the scene. So I added dark shade and played around with color.

Inside Cave Final

2008-05-09T20:59:00.000-07:00

Inside cave Line work

2008-05-09T20:58:00.000-07:00

Rest

2008-05-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

I can have some of that right now!!

Soldier of Love

2008-05-09T20:32:00.000-07:00

The model had a cool tattoo on her back. i asked her the meaning and she said, 'soldier of Love.'

Dream

2008-05-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Kay Nielsen's work

Simone

2008-05-09T20:22:00.001-07:00

I posted this drawing earlier. I added watercolor background later and I think it looks more interesting.

Adi

2008-05-09T20:21:00.000-07:00

Arboritum 2 - peacock paradise

2008-05-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

peacock were everywhere!!! I never seen so many peacocks in one place.

Arboritum 1

2008-05-09T18:07:00.000-07:00

One of the small green house had so many different kinds of orchids. They were so beautiful!!! Because my dad sells orchids at farmer's markets, I was familiar with some of them.

animal 2

2008-05-09T18:06:00.001-07:00

animal 1

2008-05-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

Sarahs...

2008-03-02T00:26:00.000-08:00

Peggies...

2008-03-02T00:22:00.000-08:00

Under my shadow

2008-01-14T20:11:00.000-08:00

okay, I tried. Although it took me long time to choose colors and simplify the drawing, overall, I like it. Illustration is so hard... =(

Happy New Year

2008-01-14T17:50:00.000-08:00

The model, Karen, posed with a rope around her body and I had a reference image to inspire me. I combined two and here is my new year card for everyone. Bye bye 2007!

I'm lonely~~

2007-12-17T21:19:00.000-08:00

Digital LD

2007-12-17T21:18:00.000-08:00

Digital LD

2007-12-17T21:16:00.000-08:00

Waz up?

2007-12-17T21:13:00.000-08:00

My first digital life drawing

Black Beauty sleeping

2007-12-17T21:12:00.000-08:00

Black Beauty

2007-12-17T21:05:00.000-08:00

Corny's life drawing class. She was a beautiful model. I had a great time in life drawing class first time in long time.

Life Drawing

2007-12-17T20:45:00.001-08:00

Sephia

2007-12-17T20:23:00.001-08:00

I had fun drawing the border. I kinda cheated by copying and pasting the half in photoshop. The power of photoshop!!!

Lonely Girl

2007-12-16T23:40:00.000-08:00

Beatles

2007-12-16T23:24:00.000-08:00

First time blogging....

2007-11-16T12:29:00.001-08:00

hahah.. this is awkward... i don't know what i'm doing.. hoply I won't be lazy updating my art work...