A bit of colour in Sydney

Yesterday at our Sydney Sketchclub Meetup at the Australian National Maritime Museum we had such beautiful weather it was too nice a day to spend in a darkly lit museum drawing things in glass cabinets so I decided to sit outside and draw on the wharf.

Then afterwards I headed over to the Chinese Garden of Friendship. I needed some photo reference of the architecture and motifs for a project I’m working on, but I managed to do a few ink drawings while I was there too. 

Chinese Garden

Week 5 of my Keeping a Sketchbook course was at the Chinese Friendship Garden. A beautiful sunny but breezy day to be outside. We sat in a little pavilion and talked about colour theory and colour plans before putting it all into practice.

I deliberately drew this small pavilion in one-point perspective, as I was drawing together with one of the participants in the course who had a special interest in learning to draw buildings.

Chinese Garden - Peace Boat Pavilion

I went to the Chinese garden again this week, as I was shopping in the city again. The ornate Chinese architecture is a challenge. I sat in the small pavilion I drew last week (the Lenient Jade Pavilion) and drew the Peace Boat Pavilion. There was a stiff breeze (autumn is here) and I had to paint the water at home rather than have my page whipping about & my painting rag slapping across the wet paint. Not working on watercolour paper (Como paper- very heavy cartridge - maybe 280gsm), so reasonably happy with the reflections.

Chinese Friendship Garden

Yesterday was a dull day - not quite raining. We went into the city and then had lunch in the Chinese Friendship Garden. It is a such a beautiful place, and so peaceful and calm, despite being smack bang in the city centre and near a major road.

I drew the same little pavilion that I have drawn before. The previous time I also used watercolour and pen, but I finished off with coloured pencils. Back then, I was working on Stonehenge paper that I had previously toned with a wash of acrylic.

I finished this sketch on-site, except for adding extra blue to the shadows to enhance the orange colour of the pagoda with its complementary colour.

Must go back again soon and take my portable chair to get some exceptional vantage points of this beautiful garden.