The Rocks

Ink and watercolor, The Russell Hotel

The Rocks is a historic area in Sydney.  It is located in prime real estate, beside Circular Quay where all the ferries and ships come in, across from the Opera House and also next to the Harbour Bridge.  This area was established soon after the colony's formation in 1788.  The original buildings were made from local sandstone and this is where the name "The Rocks" comes from.
By the early 20th century the buildings in this area were  in poor condition.  The Bubonic plague broke out and the goverment intended to tear the buildings down in order to manage the disease spreading rats.  Many of the buildings were demolished but this stopped when WW1 started.  In 1968 the state goverment again intended to redevelop the area but a group of local residents and the Building Union managed to save it.
The Rocks is a beautiful  spot, popular with tourists and locals.  There are markets on the weekend and great restaurants too.
Sydney Sketch Club started a project here in December last year and we returned this past weekend to continue it.  We made concertina books so we could sketch all the buildings along George St.
Above is my sketch of the Russell Hotel which is always makes me think of my friend Chere who went there on her honeymoon.
All of this work is in progress.  I look forward to returning and getting some more of the street on paper.

partially completed, ink and watercolor

Partially completed, ink and watercolour