Presentation by Paul Wang and Liz Steel, and Sketchcrawl in North Melbourne

What a treat to have Paul Wang and Liz Steel present to the Melbourne Urban Sketchers last Saturday (11/4). It was very informative for us - via slideshow and video, we saw some urban sketching events in other cities, Paul’s work over the years as well as a glimpse of his approach. We also heard about the upcoming symposium from Liz that got many of us excited.

 
The morning presentation was followed by sketching around Errol Street in North Melbourne.

This is the sketch I completed during the session, just outside the Town Hall and looking towards a row of shops.

Paul Wang facilitated the show and tell after sketching.

There was more sketching afterwards at the Auction Room cafe over drinks and food, and later at Joe Taylor Bar over drinks. It was a fun day that started at 10am and for some of us ended after dinner. 

Sketchcrawl at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

We had a nice day in Melbourne last Saturday – just perfect for our sketchcrawl. It was neither cold nor windy.

Some of us found some nice seats outside a cafe for coffee, scones and mulled wine. This area is by the Yarra River, with lots to draw – buildings, boats, ferries….

I did not complete my sketch. I returned to the same spot after lunch to fill up the bottom of the sketch but unfortunately, I had to give up as there were too many people walking past and lingering. Maybe I will return there sometime during the week when it is less busy. But for now, this is it.

The building with the yellow on the top is Eureka Tower with the famous attraction, Eureka Skydeck on level 88. In front of it, is Crown Hotel (the green building). The building with the cranes on the top is Freshwater Place, a residential building. In front of it is the yellow slanting roof of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Building. The Melbourne CBD is just on the left of the bridge.

Sketchcrawl in Richmond (Dimmeys)

A group of USkers met at sketched along Swan Street, Richmond. We had plenty to sketch, and there are public benches on just about every corner so we didn't have to sit on the concrete (for a change).

Dimmey's is a century old landmark in Richmond. It is being developed into a supermarket and appartments. It's a hertitage listed building, and until recently the shop stocked super cheap products. 

I found a nice spot sketching from a cafe called 'Meatballs'. Interestingly the clock doesn't work. The hands are set to midday, and there are no numerals on the face, instead it reads 'D I M M E Y S S T O R E'

We met at 1pm to share... and as you can see from the collection of books below I hadn't started painting when we met. The globe/dome on top of the clock has these wonderful turquoise colours. Does anyone know those why green/turquoise domes look that way? (Is it something to do with copper?)

 

Melbourne USK Sketchcrawl at the BIG DRAW

Are you in Melbourne on Jan 4, 2014? Come and join us - we are drawing at the BIG DRAW at Federation Square:

More details:
http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/programs/public-programs/the-big-draw/date-8807?SQ_DESIGN_NAME=mn-program&SQ_PAINT_LAYOUT_NAME=mn-program

> When: Jan 4, 2014 (Saturday)
> Time: Meet at 12:30 pm. We will draw and meet up again at 2:30pm (the event ends then) for our usual photos, coffee and catch-up.
> Where: Meet at the BIG SCREEN (stage) at Federation Square.

I am really looking forward to it. See you there.

USK Melbourne Sketchcrawl

A sketch completed during the Melbourne USK Sketchcrawl in Hawthorn on Saturday. It was a lovely sunny day – just perfect to be drawing outdoors.

The Hawthorn Town Hall is such a beautiful building (I think I might be addicted to drawing town halls).

Melbourne USK Sketchcrawl (30 Nov, Hawthorn)

Where: Outside Cafe Jacoblicious (open space between the cafe and the Town Hall Art Gallery) 378A Burwood Road, Hawthorn.
When: 10 am on Saturday, 30 Nov 2013.

There is a lot to draw at this location – churches, town hall, beautiful old shopfronts, streetscapes…. And the place we are meeting at is an open space for us all to sit if we want to – bring your sketching chairs, foam seats, mats etc.

If it’s your first time, look for me under a red hat.

Should be fun – see you there!

41st Sketchcrawl at Hyde Park Sydney

 What a great day we had on Saturday in Hyde Park. Was great to have members from Urban Sketchers, Sydney Sketch Club and Sydeny Sketch Meet all together for one morning.

Really great to meet lots of new people who love sketching and the collection of sketches put together was very impressive. Always so inspiring to see the range of work (and it is nice to have to take a few photos to fit them all in)

As usual is was more a chat-crawl for me but I did manage a number of sketches and stayed till after 4pm (though I don't think we did much sketching in the last hour!) Here are my sketches in one image- pop over to my blog if you want to see them in full.

BTW next USK SYD event will be Saturday 02 Nov - details will be posted soon.

Melbourne USK Sketchcrawl is on Sat, Oct 19

October 19 is WW Sketchcrawl day so we will be sketching on the same day as others around the world. Exciting, isn't it!!!

Meet at: Black Cat Cafe, 252 Brunswick St  Fitzroy VIC
When: 10 am. on October 19, 2013

If you are coming by public transport, Trams 11 and 112 will get you there.

There is so much to draw on Brunswick Street - buildings with loads of character, streetscape, people, etc. Oh, there is also St Patrick's Cathedral at end of the street.

If you are new, lookout for a group of people with sketchbooks or find me - I'll wear a red cap. Questions - email me (address on the image). See you then!

Sketchcrawl in Melbourne

Earlier in the month I was in Melbourne for a weeks holiday - sketching as much as I can as usual. I timed my visit with the international sketch crawl and it was a great opportunity to meet a whole bunch of wonderful sketchers in Melbourne at the one time.



Here is a photo of the happy bunch and group photo of the sketches done on the day.

Exciting news for all Melbourne sketchers - there are plans in the making for starting regular Urban Sketchers events …so watch this space for more news.

And finally here is my full book of Melbourne sketches ... I did a number of posts on my blog sharing my addiction with sketching Flinders St station and all the various water soluble tools I used during the week. I love Melbourne SO MUCH - and cant wait to get back again!

38th Sketchcrawl in Sydney

We had over 50 sketchers turn up at the Botanic Gardens (thanks to Sydney Sketch Club!) and a great day meeting new people. What a crowd – very very exciting. We had 46C yesterday (hottest day on record) but today was lovely and cool and the isolated showers forecasted did not bother us all day.

My sketches from today

37th International Sketchcrawl, Sydney - 13th October 2012

View from Darling Harbour, Sydney, a photo by david.jack on Flickr.



Darling Harbour, Sydney, a photo by david.jack on Flickr.

37th International Sketchcrawl in Sydney.

To see Australian results: http://www.sketchcrawl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=9866&p=45277#p45277

To see other cities results: http://www.sketchcrawl.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=63

No group photo this year!

To see other years in this blog:

36th International Sketchcrawl Sydney

34th International SketchCrawl Sydney

33th International SketchCrawl Sydney

32nd Internatonal SketchCrawl Sydney

31st International SketchCrawl Sydney

30th International SketchCrawl Sydney

29th International SketchCrawl Sydney

23rd International SketchCrawl Sydney

A solo effort for the sketchcrawl

International Sketchcrawl day....Needing a quiet day rather than the buzz of being out with the Sydney gang (expecting over 25 sketchers at Darling Harbour) so I had a lovely day (so far- it is 3pm) at home with a little visit to T2 teahouse!



And here is my quick (out and about) sketch last night after work. first friday of our summer time (even though snowy up in the blue mountains) but I made the most of the extra our of sun light...
yes ho hum, I am sketching the same old view yet again!


Hope everyone had a good day today- looking forward to seeing what you did!

Spotlight "Violet" in Sketchcraw#36

Hi, Friends, this post is on the story of my model, a shy lady in the 36th International Urban Sketchcrawl in Sydney. 

Queen Vitoria Building was chosen, opposites to Town Hall. It started from 10 AM. 
I, "architecture allergy girl" looked for a figure to draw. I met a lady at a lunch time. She seldom spoke in a group. I felt her like a violet, shyly looking down with a humble smile. I really love shy people or those who will not come up on a central stage. "May I sketch you?" I asked. My asking a bit surprised the lady.  Other members told her, "Sadami makes a beautiful work! We want to be models!" (Thanks, members, great backup! Cheers for our mateship!)

I just sat besides the lady and shared a wonderful silence. She sometimes smiled and kept on drawing seriously. It gave me her image. When she looked at my finished sketch, she said, "Oh, you  flattering!," but happily she took a photo of my sketch.

Outside the QVB, I challenged sketching a statue with Town Hall. Thank goodness, Queen! Without her, I might have messed up the work. (*Often my tiny "handmade" paint kit amazes others. Daarrrling, size is not a matter! All we need is LOVE! xx!!)

Group work is fun. We, members were sketching each other. Could be a classic joke! (actually, this  quick sketch was a warm up for my right hand. I usually do some warm up before "get on.") This gentleman was a very productive caricaturist. He made the quick cartoons of most of attendances. Amazing!

Later, we, members uploaded photos and sketches at our MeetUp site. The members gave me really nice feedback, particularly on the quick protrait. It's the lady's beauty. I'm dead honest with what I feel. Very happy to know my work made others happy, too. 

In work, I hope myself to spotlight violets standing against the wall as well as orchids, roses, party flowers. 
I hope my painting brings something heartwarming and shares joy with others. 
If you are interested in my work, come over, Sadami's Graffiti. 

Friends, Happy Painting!!

36th International Sketchcrawl - Sydney 14th July 2012

Today the International Sketchcrawl in Sydney was held in the Queen Victoria Building. 

To see my work at previous SketchCrawls in Sydney:

34th International SketchCrawl Sydney

33th International SketchCrawl Sydney

32nd Internatonal SketchCrawl Sydney

31st International SketchCrawl Sydney

30th International SketchCrawl Sydney

29th International SketchCrawl Sydney

23rd International SketchCrawl Sydney

35th Worldwide Sketchcrawl

Last Saturday I too was at Cockatoo Island. on the 35th Worldwide Sketchcrawl It was my fourth trip out there in three weeks and every time I go I see more things I want to sketch. Way back last year when we went to the Powerhouse Museum a few times I decided I wanted to draw pipes. I made myself a concertina book to fill with pipe drawings but there was nothing in it till now.

The morning was very foggy but it lifted in time for the ferries to be running and once out there it was a beautiful warm day. Most of these pipes were in the shadow of a cliff, and it can be very brisk out there on the harbour if there is a breeze. On Saturday though, it was just lovely.

There were about 30 sketchcrawlers, and although the island is not that big, people just disperse once you get off the ferry. We all met in the cafe for lunch at 12.30 and there were enough of us to pretty much take it over.  I had another very yummy BLAT. Very generous with fillings!

International Sketchcrawl

It started out more of a sketch- swim with mother nature being the ultimate decider of where our drawing venue would be. Thankfully the Australian Museum is always a great venue, rain, hail or shine, and most of us splish splashed our way over there. And it was the first time I managed to check out the dinousaur exhibition, and I dont think it will be my last.