Friday 26 September 2014
Monday 22 September 2014
Brisbane Sketchers feature on The Great South East show.
Here is a link to a video of The Great South East . Brisbane sketchers were filmed on location in Post Office Square recently. A big thank you to Harry Ting who recorded the segment for our group.
I was one of them giving some drawing tips to presenter Blair Allsop. He's one of the Brisbane Greeters - a group of friendly folk who show visitors around our beautiful city.
The Segment opens with some of my sketches. The film crew went to a few locations to show the buildings and the sketches together.
I was one of them giving some drawing tips to presenter Blair Allsop. He's one of the Brisbane Greeters - a group of friendly folk who show visitors around our beautiful city.
The Segment opens with some of my sketches. The film crew went to a few locations to show the buildings and the sketches together.
Queensland Parliament House - ink and watercolour Zeta sketchbook
Queen Victoria and the Treasury Casino Hotel - ink and watercolour Zeta Sketchbook
While waiting for the TV crew I did a preparatory sketch using Noodlers #41 Brown and a waterbrush for the wash.
GPO preparatory sketch - ink and wash Alpha sketchbook
And here is the completed sketch done on the day. The text and buildings in the background were added after the film crew left.
Brisbane GPO ink and watercolour Zeta sketchbook
Wednesday 17 September 2014
Sketching in King George Square, Brisbane
Yesterday was a perfect day for sketching. I caught a bus into the City to join USK BNE sketchers in King George Square. As I walked along Ann Street and came to the square I realised that I had previously overlooked a small park to the side of the Albert Street Uniting Church, complete with benches and shade. It was a pleasant place to sketch. The sun came out from behind a building to blind me as I was almost finished the sketch so I moved into some shade higher up to complete it.
My process was to put down loose watercolour brushstrokes defining the main shapes of the church. As these dried I added the details with my favourite Noodlers #41 Brown ink in a Noodlers Konrad Flex pen - it's a good combination. The watercolour wash behind the Church is an indication of some of the modern high rise buildings that dwarf it.
This Church is one of a number of buildings in the City that will form part of Open House Brisbane in October.
I moved across to the square to chat to the others and as it wasn’t quite time for coffee, I did two more drawings. A sculpture of a Kangaroo family was done using a quick contour drawing with a wash of ink.
Brisbane City Hall is imposing and complex so I decided to concentrate on the Clock tower. After adding the blue watercolour for the sky I decided to leave the buildings unpainted.
After our break I wandered into the City Hall and went to have a look at the Brisbane Museum. This was renovated recently and is a wonderful space commemorating this beautiful city. My time there was too short but I did manage a quick sketch of the view through one of the windows. Green trees can be glimpsed through the intricate iron work that frames the window on the outside of the building.
Albert Street Uniting Church Brisbane - ink and watercolour S&B Beta sketchbook
My process was to put down loose watercolour brushstrokes defining the main shapes of the church. As these dried I added the details with my favourite Noodlers #41 Brown ink in a Noodlers Konrad Flex pen - it's a good combination. The watercolour wash behind the Church is an indication of some of the modern high rise buildings that dwarf it.
This Church is one of a number of buildings in the City that will form part of Open House Brisbane in October.
I moved across to the square to chat to the others and as it wasn’t quite time for coffee, I did two more drawings. A sculpture of a Kangaroo family was done using a quick contour drawing with a wash of ink.
Roos in King George Square ink and wash S&B Alpha skethcbook
Clock Tower Brisbane City Hall ink and watercolour S&B Beta Sketchbook
Window,Brisbane Museum - ink and watercolour S&B alpha sketchbook
Monday 15 September 2014
Sketching at Brookfield Garden Centre
Last week, artists from my Friday class met at Brookfield Garden Centre for a sketching morning. We wandered around and each found
interesting things to draw.
I was struck by the orchids as I walked in the door so I went to those first. These were drawn directly in ink while standing. Since I haven’t mastered the art of holding my watercolour palette, little water bottle and sketchbook simultaneously, the watercolour was added later.
Phalaenopsis orchids - ink and watercolour Alpha Sketchbook
Rusty bells and butterflies on chains next called my
attention. Again the colour was added later, random splashes appeared out of
nowhere (who did that?) so I turned these into a purple wash.
Rusty Bells - ink and watercolour Alpha Sketchbook
Nearby I found this meditative group of statues. I used
Noodlers #41 Brown and because it seemed to be taking ages to dry on this paper
(S&B Beta A4 sketchbook) I decided to use the ink as a wash with a
water-brush, later adding a little grey - a Cobalt Blue and Burnt Sienna mix.
A quiet corner - ink and watercolour Alpha Sketchbook
Eventually, we were getting too hot in the sun, we gathered at WildCanary for coffee and cake. Drawing our cake was part of
the deal. Since we had a lovely big table we had room to complete our sketches.
Strawberry Frangipani Tart - ink and watercolour Beta Sketchbook
It was such a lovely day.
Here are some sketches from my fellow artists:
It was such a lovely day!
Sunday 14 September 2014
Exciting news for "Riverside Trees"
Last night I was fortunate enough to win the Norris Motor Group Grand Prize at the Nundah Village Festival Art Exhibition. Riverside Trees was the winning painting. I am so thrilled about this accolade - can't help myself but I'm posting the painting again.
Riverside Trees oil on linen 910mm x 610mm SOLD
My thanks to the judges Margaret Campbell Ryder from Redhill Gallery, and the artist Starr who awarded this honour to my painting.
This exhibition is open today until 3.00pm at Northside Honda, Wood Street, Nundah
Monday 8 September 2014
Riverside Trees and Reflections
There’s a special place close to my home that has provided inspiration for a few paintings. A while ago I spent a morning there with a friend. We arrived in time to catch the early morning light on the river. The river takes a turn hiding the passage of the water as it moves away. Trees hug both banks and the branches lean out over the water.
I started with a charcoal sketch of this part of the river that I have photographed a number of times. This watercolour sketch came next - just washes of paint. The ink lines were added with a Noodler's Konrad Flex pen later after the watercolour had dried.
Back in the studio the painting took a different turn - portrait format canvas rather than landscape. I was also trying a new surface - the buff coloured Pebeo linen that has a clear gesso priming.
I started with a charcoal sketch of this part of the river that I have photographed a number of times. This watercolour sketch came next - just washes of paint. The ink lines were added with a Noodler's Konrad Flex pen later after the watercolour had dried.
Riverside Trees ink and watercolour Moleskine watercolour sketchbook
I changed the colour palette away from the muted tones of
the sketch into clear vibrant colour, wanting to recapture the experience of the
early morning brightness and the feeling of the enjoyment of the morning.
Riverside Trees oil on linen 910mm x 610mm
Another new work is one that started from sketches and
photographs taken at Mt Coot-Tha Botanic gardens. Here I wanted to focus on a
small section of the water; the reflections and ripples - dark and mysterious
with the flash of sunlight and the blue sky’s reflection.
Deep Ripple oil on canvas 610mm x 610mm
These two paintings and two more will be exhibited this
coming weekend at the Nundah Village Festival Art Exhibition.
Exhibition
Hours: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September, 10.00am
to 3.00pm
Norris Motor
Group Workshop
Wood Street
Nundah
Village
Monday 1 September 2014
Fun with Flowers
I
went to a local Florist looking for some flowers for a class. Walking into
their cold room is a treat -such a feast of colour and fragrance. I was hoping
for some sunflowers but no luck - all sold out.
I explained that I didn’t
necessarily need a whole bunch so I was kindly allowed to rescue some from the “leftovers”
trolley
The Lizzianthus was part of the bunch .Love the double “zz” -
when I googled the spelling Wiki came up with “s” which is so tame. Now my
spellcheck insists on “zz” - too late to change my sketch. I used some FW Acrylic inks applying the purple first with a
brush, then switched to a dip pen for the lines. The strange little smudge in
the lower corner is a failed chop. I had it made years ago in Hong Kong. The
red ink has turned into a weird sticky mess so thought I would break with tradition
and try a pink stamp pad instead. I need more practise getting enough ink on
the chop…
The Blushing Bride was a last minute addition. I
was standing at the counter when I saw a posy with these flowers. I was so
tempted to buy a bunch but then the assistant walked to the other side of the shop
and brought back this little sprig - it was destined for the bin.
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