Category / landscape

by Leonie Andrews

One Small Step

Today we met up with friends to explore the site of the former Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station where the first pictures of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the Moon were transmitted to the rest of the world. (Yeah-nah, not ‘the Dish’ at Parkes).

The infrastructure is largely gone, but there is now a set of information panels and a series of sculptural elements by Canberra sculptor Michael Harding.

The site of the former Honeysuckle Creek tracking station.
Other locals out enjoying the day!

Our intention had been to sketch on site, but it didn’t happen. We went prepared to BBQ our lunch only to discover that the gas in the BBQs had run out.

In the end we drove back to the Ranger Station and cooked our meal there. While not quite the view I was planning I did complete a sketch of the nearby rural landscape.  

Tharwa Landscape

This is the first sketch in my new sketchbook. So you could say “one small sketch” (sorry that’s so lame).

by Leonie Andrews

Kambah Woolshed collage

I was out with Urban Sketchers Canberra at the Kambah Woolshed, this past weekend, attempting to make a collage in a very stiff wind. 

Every collage brings new learnings – particularly when working in a representational style – compared to the more common free-form approach.

Kambah Woolshed

Working from the background to the foreground is the most practical way to start. Of course, I still trip myself up and have to re-glue or correct sections.

Having a clear picture of the tonal values is critical. Particularly when deciding on the background to the subject.

Sometimes, the tonal values don’t get completely nailed down until late in the process. The thin diagonal line on the roof on the right side was close to the last piece I added. This made so much difference to the roofline.

The collage and original subject

After looking at this piece when I got home my partner pointed out that one of the columns didn’t appear to be in correct perspective. He was right. I’d carried it through to the roofline when there was a section of planking that ran in front of it.

Here’s the final version.

The finished collage after one final tweak

I continue to be surprised that this process takes pretty much the same amount of time as my regular watercolour sketches do. I’m happy with the result.

by Leonie Andrews

Sketching with friends

While visiting London recently, I  went sketching  with friends at Marble Hill Park, on the Thames, near Richmond.

One of my friends brought along some prepared papers, painted with home-made pigment, extracted from  Rose Willow Herb.

Sketching on the lawn at Marble Hill House

As often happens, I misjudged the proportions of my sketch and cut the top off the roof. Which is why I added a second piece of paper to get it all in!

The missing bit of roof!
The finished sketch.

I really enjoyed working on the pre-painted paper. It was a very good mid tone, as well as a fortuitous choice of colour and was easy to work over.

Suffice to say, a good time was had by all!

Our collection of sketches from the day.
by Leonie Andrews

A visit

Ancestral voices unheard. Pervasive shouts of ‘make a silly face’ selfy talk.

Sit on the grass itself. Notice rabbit poo – no rabbits in sight.

Five breaths. Inhale and release.

Offer – nutty bar and paint water.

Unspeaking ravens watch.

Tune in your eyes, a light pass then shadows. Dry faced lichen stones.

The formalities done with. Mix the paint again.

Hands strike across the page. In that place we dance.

[Observations made when painting at Stonehenge, 21 August 2023]

by Leonie Andrews

Stitch Journal

I have started a new stitch journal, something to occupy my hands when I need to stitch, or just need a distraction. I have made a video showing the journal on my YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/OUVZ0ZZBoBA

Most importantly it is with me as I travel through Spain and the UK. While I have not been able to stitch on it as much as I would like, some additions have been made.

What happens on one side is reflected on the other side.

Most recently I spent time at the archaeological site of Castro de Castromaior, an Iron age Fort and one of the most significant historical sites in the Northern Iberian region. Here I sat and stitched while admiring the stone walls of the ancient buildings, a technique which is still being used in local village houses.

My video at Castro de Castromaior,
Galicia, Spain
30 June 2023