Pixel and Flavor: Illustrating the Essence of Chinese Cuisine

 

During the height of the pandemic, amidst erratic government policies and rising food prices, I was commissioned to revamp the brand design of a family restaurant recently inherited by the younger generation.

 

Working on the logo went smoothly, but not so much for the menu. I had initially planned to do some food photography, but the cost of ingredients was prohibitive for all 20+ dishes. Eventually, we opted for food illustration instead.

 

 

 

Illustrating food, especially in Chinese cuisine, requires several layers, much like the approach to its ingredients and cooking. It took a while to finish each dish, but I enjoyed the process.

 

As the wise Cleaner from Toy Story 2 says: "You can't rush art!"

South Mandarin Restaurant is located at BF Homes, Parañaque City, Philippines.

© Kenny Tai. All Rights Reserved • R.A. 8293

The Phantom

 

Erik, or better known as, "The Phantom".

According to Gaston Leroux, the author of the 1910 novel "Le Fantôme de l'Opéra", Erik is described as corpse-like and is referred to as having a "death's-head" (human skull) throughout the story. He has no nose, and his eyes are sunken so deep in his skull that all that is seen are two eye sockets, except when his yellow eyes glow in the dark. His skin is yellowed and tightly stretched across his bones, and only a few wisps of dark brown hair are behind his ears and on his forehead. His mouth is never described in as much detail, but is referred to as a “dead mouth” by Christine, and Erik acknowledges that his mouth is abnormal when lifting up his mask to display ventriloquism. He is described as extremely thin, so much so that he resembles a skeleton.

Sketch Break No. 1 & 2

Scheduling for Prayers on the 49th Day

 

Post New Year Offerings

Happy Lunar Year of the Rabbit 🐰🧧

 

Viva Magenta 2023

 

Casa Tribunal de Naturales

Casa Tribunal de Naturales
San Nicolas, Manila

Another wishful thinking of adaptive-reuse on heritage houses! This time, re-imagined as a bike shop-café.
About two centuries ago, before locals settle disputes via TV/online shows for instant justice, a lonely structure squeezed between two high-rise buildings along Asuncion Street was the Casa Tribunal de Naturales. This used to be the courthouse that caters to the natives (Chinese and Mestizos) to settle cases and to detain the accussed that was led by a local gobernadorcillo, equivalent of today’s town mayor.

The first two rooms are lowered detention cells, possibly for each gender. A hallway leading an open patio at the back with a stock room and two restrooms. Second floor was the courtroom, the gobernadorcillo’s office, archive room, and an arms depot at the back. Over the roof are the air vent stacks.

Like many of the heritage houses in Manila, it remains abandoned and rotting in decay, which is at high risk of demolition for another souless rectangular building that caters a car-centric city. This is a call for heritage preservation and bike justice on roads for a pedestrian-friendly future in the city.
Let’s hope! Otherwise, just dream.

References:

• Kaladkarin Diaries

• Center for Filipino Architecture

• Three Centuries of Binondo Architecture 1594–1898: A Socio-Historical Perspective

by Lorelei D. C De Viana

 

Read more about the structure.

Pansiteria de Macanista y Buen Gusto

 

Been obsessing the 19th century noodle house,“Pansiteria de Macanista y Buen Gusto” since a personal encounter of the structure during the Binondo - San Nicolas tour back in summer of 2019.The establishment roughly translates as “Tasty Macanese Noodle House”.

According to historical archives, the three-story commercial accessoria is owned by Don Serverino R. Alberto in 1880. The floor plan showcases the commercial divisions in its design by the Chinese-Filipino community. The former establishment was also mentioned in the 25th chapter of “El Filibusterismo”, the second novel of Jose Rizal.

Re-imagined illustration above (for personal amusement) is a study of the first and second floor of what could have been a possible adaptive reuse of the building while retaining the panciteria brand and giving reverence of its past.

To know more about the pansiteria and the rest of the heritage sites, read more on this article.

Manila Day (451st Founding Anniversary)

 

A city is better experienced when traveling by a pair of feet or by a pair of wheels, while intimately reconnecting our roots free from the walls of a four-wheeled vehicle.

 

Independence Day 2022

“Ang payapang pampang ay para lang sa mga pangahas na sasalunga sa alimpuyo ng mga alon sa panahon ng unos.”

(Tranquil shores are only for those who boldly oppose raging waves during storms.)

Lualhati Bautista • Dekada ‘70

Araw ng Kalayaan 🇵🇭

Women's Day

One of the many great things about a woman's body is that they can bleed without dying. Happy International Women's Day.

 

John & Yoko

 

Do you believe? 👁👄👁

 

Manila 1945: Errands

 

Manila 1945: Slow Dance (While the World Ends)

 

“Walang tubig, walang pagkain, edi magsayaw na lang tayo.”

Manila 1945: Year of the Rooster

 

Manila 1945: Faith

 

"Tita Betty! Huwag niyo nang balikan ang Santo!"

Manila 1945: Aftermath, Clean Up

Manila 1945: Unwelcome Entrance

 

Manila 1945: At The Hotel

 

Manila 1945: Night Shelling