Sydney College of the Arts

  

                          

I put a call out to Sydney Urban Sketchers yesterday morning to see if anyone wanted to sketch today.  It was great, six of us and one pup came together to sketch at Sydney College of the Arts.  This is one of the three main art schools in our city.  This campus was previously a psychiatric hospital, built in 1881.  We couldn't get inside the campus but there was plenty to sketch from the outside.

There is talk about this campus closing and moving to the main campus at Sydney University.  It is unfortunate as this would be a very interesting and stimulating environment for art students.

      

Burlesque sketching

                                                  

I joined a friend at a monthly get together of sketchers who have a Burlesque model.  The model wasn't dancing but was holding poses.  These coloured sketches were 25 min poses and the pencil sketches were ten minute ones.  There was wine, cheese, crackers and cake.  What a great time and I look forward to going again in the new year.

       

         

         

           

 

Manly

        

Sydney sketch club went to the harbourside suburb of Manly today.  In years gone by this suburb was a place that Sydneysiders went on holiday. One of the great things about it is that there is a harbourside and an ocean side to swim.  The above sketch is on the harbour side quite near where the ferries come in.  

                                   

       

   This is the barbourside beach which is netted so people can swim without fear of sharks.  It wasn't a hot day today but there were still people in the water.

Woolich Baths

                                    

Sydney sketch club went to Woolich Baths on Sunday.  The weather was inclement, raining on and off.  The rain was mostly "on" when sketching the above scene.  Those white dots on the walkway were actually produced by rain drops.  I had my umbrella over me, trying to balance paper, paint and pen.

Woolich is a beautiful suburb along the peninsula from Hunters Hill in Sydney.  Magnificent homes with wonderful views, alas living there is only a dream for me.  Still.... free to sketch and enjoy at any time.

       

Walking down the path ( seen in the first sketch) to arrive at the baths. This dock separates the baths from the boat access area and these boat houses.  There were several guys fishing and had evidently caught and released a very large flathead. Not sure if that was a fish story or not.

For those who do not know what baths are in Australia....they are bits of the harbour, river or beach that is fenced off so hopefully sharks can't get in but the water is fresh and, depending on the fencing, goes  in and out with the tide.

I will return to this very picturesque place.

Exercise In Perspective

                                

I took part in an impromptu gathering of Urban Sketchers this morning.  We met at Circular Quay and instead of the glorious views of the Opera House or the ferries or the Harbour Bridge or the historic buildings all around.....no...... I was inspired by the perspective at the spot where the international cruise ships dock.  It was a rainy morning and not the usual crowds.  

Sydney Fish Market

     

                                      

                                      

Urban sketchers met at the  Fish markets in Pyrmont on Saturday. Sydney fish markets is the largest working fish market in the Southern Hemisphere and the 3rd largest in the world in terms of the variety of seafood.

This fish market incorporates a working fishing port, wholesale fish market, fresh food retail market, food outlet and Seafood cooking school.  Besides all that it is a great place to bring overseas visitors.

We had a wonderful seafood lunch sitting out under umbrella with these views and more.  A great day!

Sculptures by the Sea

  

        

Sculptures by the Sea is an annual event along two km of the Sydney coastline from Bondi Beach to Tamarama.  This is the 19th year of this public art gallery which only lasts for a little over two weeks.  it is very popular and thousands of tourists and locals swarm along the tracks enjoying a bit of culture.

Whenever I go I marvel over the beauty of the place that I am lucky enough to call home.  The coast is a marvellous backdrop to the art. The sculptures are really interesting, clever and beautiful.  

         

This sculpture called "acoustic" made haunting sounds like whale cries.  You could hear it quite a distance away.

                                    

There are over a hundred sculptures created by both Australian and overseas artists.  Well worth a visit.

Zombies part two

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Here are more sketches from the afternoon at the zombie gathering. There were some scary people there.  The "doctor " below had a third eye on his forehead.

                                       

                                              

The three children below were with their parents, everyone dressed and made up for the day.  They very kindly sat still, patiently allowing me to sketch them.

                                           

                                          

                                            

I think it is easier to sketch people in costume then it is to draw them in their natural state.  This was great fun.