Sydney spontaneous sketching

Some days I specifically go out to a sketch a certain place or event, such as our monthly Urban Sketchers events in Sydney or the flickr weekly Urban Sketching challenge . But the majority of my urban sketching is spontaneous. I carry my pencils and Moleskine watercolour sketchbook with me all the time, so am always prepared.

I use watercolour pencils and Lamy Safari Joy ink pen. Sometimes on their own, sometimes combined. Today I used them separately. Here are two different styles of my Urban Sketching.

 

 

I  did a quick  unplanned sketch of some buskers, Winterbourne in the Pitt Street Mall. I found a place out of the crowd, leaning up against a wall, and decided what to include in my sketch. I started with the main guitarist, then the second one really got into it and so I quickly sketched him.  It took one song to do this

My next sketch was when I arrived very early for my hairdressers appointment. I found a place in the sun, leant up against a wall and spent about half an hour on this. I drew in the lines of the buildings, either in the colour they are (such as Burnt Yellow Ochre for the side of the cliff) , or in Paynes Grey . I then took colour off the tip of the pencil with the waterbrush and added it to the page. Then added the final lines of street lights and poles.

Sydney city people and places

Sydney city, like all others, is made up of both people and places. I have been out sketching both this week, with my watercolour pencils

 

Martin Place is a pedestrian area that extends over several blocks. There are large areas for the public, including a stage and steps. There is also space where skateboarders congregate. It is school holidays, so there was a younger crowd there this week.

 

The Big Issue seller in Martin Place. The Big Issue magazine is a fortnightly, independent magazine that is sold on the streets by homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged people

a coffee shop in Hunter Connection, Wynard . I went there because someone recommended the coffee and because of the coffee cups. I did the sketch in Payne Grey watercolour pencil while I waited for my coffee. There was a bit of a queue , but they were quick, so I did not get very long to sketch. Coffee cup sketched later .

Sydney - view from my window

Over the past few lunch breaks I have sketched the view from my office window on the 26th floor . It is really stunning!

For many years I worked in local government and university libraries, in dark concrete buildings, with no views. Now I am in the corporate world the offices have panoramic views. I am only working here for a few weeks so am making the most of what is outside my window. This is especially good  in winter, when it is cold outside in the lunchtimes.

 

I will probably add  bit more to this ....

Watercolour pencil

Sydney sketching

A day out sketching at Kirribilli on Sydney's North Shore with Liz.
Beautiful houses and gorgeous architecture. Where to begin ? somewhere in the shade with a place to sit

 LUNCH , of course, and the view from the café

 

 

USK Sydney Cockatoo Island

 Yesterday, about 15 sketchers met at Sydney's Cockatoo island (a quick ferry ride in the harbour)for the final Urban Sketchers Sydney event for the year. The weather was all blue skies and sunshine, as summer has finally decided to arrive in Sydney. We have visited Cockatoo Island regularly as is so full of inspiration and potential sketching opportunities

 

 

I always like to arrive  a little early to start sketching before everyone arrives and I start talking. I sat the café with Phil & Chris and looked back to Sydney, sketching the panorama in watercolour pencil. Is was so peaceful.

 

 

 

Often when I visit Cockatoo Island I feel the need to draw BIG-  the buildings are big, the cranes are big . I draw everyday on a 20 x 13 cm moleskine watercolour sketchbook. So this time I came prepared with some larger sheets of paper, Unfortunately, I was in the mood for drawing small....so the papers were left untouched this time. But I will return in the New Year to experiment with size and equipment

 

The Drawing Office is one of my favourite buildings on the island. And that was even before I knew that it was called the Drawing Office and then that just made if more special. The Drawing Office was established in 1914 as part of the dockyards of the Royal Australian Navy, which were based there.I love the colour and textures, the greens and the rust .I have sketched it a few times previously. We only had about half and hour for this one before meeting everyone for lunch.

 

some of the sketchbooks from the morning

We chatted, compared notes on what and where we sketched and the experience of the morning.

 

Liz Steel reminded me that Cockatoo Island was the first place we met and sketched together way back in 2008. It was an International Sketchcrawl and we were the only two that turned up. How much has changed in our sketching lives since then! So many wonderful art adventures, meeting some interesting and inspirational people. There have been opportunities in the art world that I never would have dreamed of.

Certainly my sketching has changed. I think that I am more confident in my line and colour. I feel like I am capturing a lot more character of the object I am drawing. Below are my sketches from 2008.

I can see that my subject matter has not altered at all, and I could have chosen the same objects this weekend.  That would have been interesting!

 

I am still using watercolour pencils, as I had only just discovered them then and am now a complete aficionado.

 

I was using Pitt pens and Micron pens then, whereas now I love my Lamy Safarfi Joy ink pen. The flow of ink off the nib is so smooth and suits my drawing style.

 

I also drew on castoff sheets of A4 card stock then, and now I am up to Moleskine watercolour sketchbook number 37 since December 2008. I will be starting on sketchbook number 38 as I fly home for Christmas in a short time. I sketched at the airport for my Christmas flight in 2008 in the first pages of my first Moleskine. I am getting nostalgic thinking about it!

Sydney boats and ships

The day started with fine weather in Sydney. I did not plan to sketch boats (tea cosies were my focus today) but ended up sketching big and small ones.

 

It is cruise ship season and there always seems to be a large ship at Circular Quay.  It will most probably be a different ship everyday. They usually only stay 24 hours in Sydney, before sailing out. That is the time that the passengers get to leave the ship and explore our city. Circular Quay is a wonderful place to be as you can see so much of iconic Sydney by looking around you - Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Botanic Gardens.......

 

 

 

 

 

The amount of foreshortening and the perspective involved in drawing the ship is amazing and great fun. Today, however my view was continually blocked by tourists taking photos. So, I included them as well. I am not sure why they stopped in front of me

 

 

 

 

 

Later in the day I walked past the ship again and the sense of excitement was building as passengers dropped their baggage off and were saying final farewells to family and friends. I started the sketch with the photographer and the family group . They moved on quickly and I added the background. You can't actually  tell that there is a ship there as it is SO BIG. This sketch lost its focus as I added more and more, so I tried to bring in the focus by adding most of the colour in the group of people

 

I actually started the day "small" by sketching on the ferry on the way into the city. and ended the day BIG with the ships.

USK meeting Sydney - National Maritime Museum



 

Urban Sketchers in Sydney met at the National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour on a glorious sunny morning. Liz was not able to attend, but ten of us sketched from 10am til 12.30, some continuing on after lunch. Anthony, Jennifer, Annie, Wendy, Chantal, Ethna, Phil, John and Peter are in the photo below. Phil showed great enthusiasm and had a very early start to the day, travelling from Lake Macquarie.

 

 

 

 

There is so much to sketch outside the Maritime Museum, without even entering its doors. Lots of old and new boats, the lighthouse, city skyline, tourists, to name a few. It was hard to know where to begin.

our sketchbooks.

 

 

 I am still on a holiday high, even though I returned from Barcelona and London two weeks ago. Scanning my drawings every night helps me continue this feeling, as does sharing my experiences with anyone who will listen ! I gave an overview of my Barcelona Urban Sketching Symposium experience and was happy to talk to anyone who had questions.

 

All of my London sketches are gradually being put in the SET on flickr 
All Barcelona sketches from the holiday have been uploaded and in the following SET  on flickr

 

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My sketches from the day

 

 I began with a little 1903 built boat, moored amongst the tallships and warships.  I consciously tried to think about some of the lessons that I  learned at the Barcelona Urban Sketching Symposium. For this I recalled the discussions at Barry Jacksons wonderful "Hither Thither and Yon" workshop. I concentrated on the Thither space. I leant SO much at Barcelona, both in the Workshops and from other participants I spoke to.

 

I realised that in my drawings I am building on the generous knowledge and advice shared by many online artists. From Kate Johnson, one of the many techniques I use is the Derwent Blue Grey (not watercolour) to draw the background buildings It is a nice soft tone and colour.

 

 

 

 

 

I then sat down with Ethna and distracted her by chatting. After an hour I moved on.

 

 

The skyline of Sydney. It was 15 minutes til lunch. But I HAD to add the blue sky as it was such a lovely day

A very aggressive seagull at my feet ( I had no food, so I don't know why he was picking on me )

 

USK at Sydney Uni

Urban Sketchers Australia, Sydney event.

Eleven sketchers met on a cool grey day at the University of Sydney- Australia's oldest university (1862) to paint, sketch and draw . Most of us stayed in the oldest area - the Quadrangle. But there is so much detail - where to begin ?
I have been reading about the Victorian Gothic revival buildings of London , including Westminster , which this building was modelled on. So I was in the right mindset to draw this wonderful building.

When I approach such an impressive large building I draw it quickly (ish) in ink. I think I spent about 20 minutes on the ink sketch. It is too easy for me to get overwhelmed by the architecture. I usually have disappearing edges (I am not sure what they are called) , where I don't draw the entire building or to the very edges/.

 

 



a short simple sketch in ink of the building

 

I then like to focus on a few details. I bring out my lovely watercolour pencils.

I think that the combination of the two styles provides a snapshot of the building and its character and what appeals to me about it.

 



close up of details



more details

It didn't matter that I didn't finish this doorway, There is enough there to let you know what it is like.
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Pyrmont Urban Sketchers event : Alissa Duke

A beautiful summer Sydney day to be sketching outside with friends as part of this Urban Sketchers Sydney event . We started in historic Union Square, and I was determined to only spend a short time here (I could easily stay here for hours) as I really wanted to sketch the Terminus Hotel a few blocks down Harris Street. There is so much history in my own suburb of Pyrmont that I was proud to be sketching  it and see so many others enjoying it as well

 I decided to use my Lamy pen only for this one.

Then after 20 minutes Kaz & I walked down to the Terminus Hotel, a derelict hotel, covered in ivy, and with all glass and tiles still intact. I drew the building in ink from diagonally across the street and then crossed the street to sit opposite and draw some features in detail in watercolour pencil. I could have stayed there for hours......

And then it was suddenly time for our lunch catch up and chat. There were lots of families in the park enjoying the sunshine, so I drew some.

A few more sketches from Pyrmont on Saturday

A few more photos thanks to Erin. I also want to once again thank everyone who came and especially for sharing during our show and tell. I think we all found it very inspirational to hear people share about their techniques and what caught their eye in Union Square. As much as I love comparing notes about 'what pen is that?" " where did you get that sketchbook?" it is good to get beyond that art supply junkie type of conversation and talk about how we actually use the tools!

Sketches from Alissa (click on images to read more about them on flickr)






It was great to meet Peter Rush and see him in action. A number of us have been following his work on flickr for a while.(click on images to read more about them on flickr)






Sketches from Rod (click on images to read more about them on flickr)

Sketches from Ethna

DATE FOR FEB: Saturday 9th. We will do the sketchwalk down Harris St as proposed for January. Details to follow soon.

Sydney urban art

In the last two days I have seen and sketched some Urban Art I have seen in inner Sydney Sydney

Yesterday there was some "Guerilla Knitting" around a street sign in Harris Street, Pyrmont. I hadn't noticed it at first, and I may have walked past it many times. A  Red knitted pole and two gloves knitted into it ! The guerilla knitting art appears on City Council Streetscape objects  overnight . Technically they are illegal, but the councils leave them up .

Another piece of art to make me smile (and everyone else) is the 5 storey high inflatable duck that sailed into Darling Harbour yesterday for two weeks. It is part of the Sydney Festival of arts, culture, music etc. 60 000 people watched it sail (paddle) in yesterday. I went today when it was quieter.

I was going to stay home and draw feathers and nests today, but how could I when this amazing sight was only 10 minutes walk away ! 

Sydney Opera House Concert - Alissa Duke

On Saturday I went to the Sydney Opera House to see the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs perform  "An English Christmas" concert . It was a lovely concert, thoroughly enjoyable with some  angelic voices .  I sketched on the way, at interval, and once during the concert . I sat next to another lady who bought out a sketchbook too ! and then I met choir friends for drinks afterwards. All in all it was a very enjoyable afternoon.

I was unsure of what time and opportunity I would have to sketch, but I carry my sketchbook, watercolour pencils and Lamy Safari Ink Pen with me everywhere I go, just in case. As it happened, I only had time for ink in each case.

The exterior of the Sydney Opera House is immensely sketchable from any angle! My first sketch was as I walked up there from Circular Quay. The day was so grey and the wind was very blustery, that I did not spend much time at all, wanting to get inside as soon as possible.

The second sketch was once I seated inside (way at the back). I was on an aisle seat, and no one sat on the otherside of me until the last moment, so I felt free to sketch. I started with the organ, thinking that even it got no further, I would have something down on paper. I was fortunate to get about 15 minutes of sketching in,before the lights dimmed.

The next sketches were at interval, sitting in the drinks/ foyer area inside the Concert Hall shell, looking out through the large glass sections out onto Sydney Harbour. I thought it was important to sketch some people too.

And finally during the concert  group of about 12 singers moved onto the stairs infront of me. Their silhouettes were too tempting to draw and I got my pens out straight away. Then I quickly sketched some audience members and then the orchestra and choir. Then my sketchbook was put away and I sat back to continue enjoying the glorious singing and music.