Artists and musicians came together for three days of pure artistic bliss during the arts and music festival that was organized by Backdoor Ventures for the fifth year to date last February 5-7, 2010.

Different groups and companies who are into the arts and music served as concessionaires and exhibitors in this three-day event at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall 3. Aside from that, the place was also filled with, well, art in all forms, shapes and sizes – from paintings, sculptures, mixed media arts, all forms of dance and all genres of music. Speaking of music, I was totally awed at the drum solo that a drummer did at one of the music booths at the hall. This reminds me that I wanted to learn how to play percussion when I get to find the time.

And not only the artsy geeks collide and unite in this event, but also those who are interested in them took part in a series of workshops conducted within the three days of the event.

And being the curious kid that I am lost in the middle of the bustling hall, I took a plunge into one of the workshops offered in the event – the Oil Pastel Art in Sandpaper, conducted by renowned artist in the field Fidel Sarmiento.

I saw his displayed artworks prior to the workshop which, at first glance, looked like a real painting. But I looked closely and found that the canvas was actually felt paper and sandpaper, and the medium is oil pastel. When the speakers boomed that an oil pastel art workshop will be held in a matter of minutes, I decided to join (especially when it said materials will be free).

Mr. Fidel Sarmiento started the workshop with the demonstration of some basic strokes in oil pastel. (Tip #1: Break up the pastel to use them in different stroke sizes.) Then he proceeded with drawing a still-life picture using the strokes that he just showed. Upon finishing the picture, the participants (including me) were all clapping in awe with the superb picture that he just made.

Then the participants tried drawing pictures using the said stroke with his guidance. In my case, I drew flowers and leaves using some straight lines, circular motions and shading. Personally, I think the picture was good enough, but if you’d compare it to the ones that Sir Fidel drew, it was not even half of it. See the pictures (sorry for the quite blurry quality) and see for yourself.

 That's one of Sir Fidel's photos... :)

Afterwards, Sir Fidel raffled off eight of his drawings (including that one above) to lucky participants. I said lucky because he/she will be getting a picture that is normally sold at P16,000-P60,000 apiece (no, I’m not kidding). But sadly, I didn’t get any of it, even the small ones.

Still, the whole experience was fun – getting a newfound love (drums) and renewing that once-lost acquaintance (oil-pastel drawing) for art.