Sydney Royal Easter Show

An annual event in Sydney which originally was an opportunity for the city folks to experience and appreciate the lives, produce and world of our country cousins. Every person brought up in Sydney will have fond memories of stinky cows, showbags, or "samplebags" as they were onced called, filled with everything single kind of confectionary, amusement rides, cake decorating displays, fruit & veg displays and so much more. I haven't been to the new venue at Olympic Park (which is where the Sydney Olympic Games were held) so it was a first for me.

And a third time to Cockatoo Island

At Cockatoo Island on Easter Monday we had to stay out of the wind. We settled on this sheltered spot between two buildings and it just happened to be the place that just epitomises Cockatoo Island for me. I've photographed it before, but never sketched it. I used my new WINE coloured Copic Multiliner pen, and I must say I LOVE it.

In the same sheltered spot, but against the building opposite I found this interesting conglomeration of pipes.

After that, lunch. Lunch is always good at Cockatoo Island and their BLATs are probably the best I've ever had. By that time it was hot in the sun, so we moved around to 'Easter Island' and sketched there. If you look at this photo you will see why we call it that.

Hyde Park Barracks Museum

A wet day for week four of my Keeping a Sketchbook course. We had hoped to be around Macquarie Street in the open, but the rain drove us inside. We went to the sketcher-friendly Hyde Park Barracks Museum.
First we sketched in a room with a wonderful array of convict tools on the wall. There is even a little ledge right opposite to perch on while you sketch. We were looking at tonal values this week. These tools with their distinct shadows made a good subject.

From there we went to the hammock room on the top floor. Last time I went to this museum I got waylaid on the second floor and when I went upstairs I was presented with the sight of all these red shoes as other Sydney urban sketchers lay in the hammocks to sketch. (Sydney Urban Sketchers wear red shoes?) I've wanted to get back there to do that ever since. I've also wanted red shoes, but I got them sooner.

So we had a nice relax in the hammocks, sketching all the while. Then I joined one of the class in the corridor doing a perspective study. I sank to the floor to sketch. I think you can see that from the picture.

I think we made the absolute best of a wet day. The buildings in Macquarie Street are pretty amazing too, but inside this museum is something special.

Farewell to the Duyfken

I had to go back to the Maritime Museum last week again, because the Duyfken is leaving Sydney and going to WA for 10 years. She is such a beautiful little ship (a replica) and I've drawn her a few times.
We went on board and there were wonderful things to see there too - wooden kitchenware, I guess you'd call it. Cannons. I took some photos with my phone and I have material there for a lot of still life paintings.

We then went on board the sailing ship James Craig. I've been before and even sailed on her, so while my friend did the tour, I drew a lifeboat. I then bravely drew the whole Duyfen (I've only done sections before - she is so ornate) though I couldn't fit her all in. Drawing so small is not my forte.

The boat on the right is the Tu Do (freedom) which brought refugees to Australia in 1977. You can read the story here.

Tropical Centre, Botanic Gardens

Last Saturday was Week Two of my "Keeping a Sketchbook " course. Just as well I'd organised wet weather venues because it rained. We were at the Botanic Gardens, and for the wet day we went to the Tropical Centre which is an unusual building with unusual plants. Last year we had a rainy day in there during Autumn of the Arts and we loved it. Same again.

Not many people were about because of the rain, so we nearly had the place to ourselves. There are so many things to draw in there that I want to go back and back and back. It is hot and steamy which is OK if it is not hot outside, but if the sun is coming in you can't stay too long.

I drew along with the class, but quickly so that I could go round and talk to them all.
They drew amazing things and I was so happy.

This coming Saturday we're at the Maritime Museum (inside or out, depending on the weather).

Newtown primary terrace

This corner terrace house is just off King Street Newtown. I went up there on Sunday morning to sit and sketch it while there were not so many people about. It's all in the primary colours. Walls are cerulean blue with phthalo blue trim & some sap green, the door is cadmium yellow with a cadmium red curtain.

The house is very close to the train line. The wall that is out of sight on the left has the leafy pattern continuing along the wall that can be seen from the train. You might see it if you're coming towards the city, just before you get into Newtown Station.

This is what I love about Newtown. Its so colourful'.

Opera House sunset

I was also one of the group sketching the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday evening. It rained at lunchtime and I got drenched. Then it rained again at about 10pm and I got wet getting home. But while we were sketching the weather was perfect. The gold reflections on the Opera House sails contrasted nicely with the touch of violet in the sky.
Sepia Pitt Pen on Como paper.