October 28, 2015 by Leonie Andrews

The Historic Hunter

Several weeks ago I was in the Hunter Valley which has many towns dating back to the 19th century. (A very short time period compared to the thousands of years of Aboriginal ownership of the land). In the larger centres the original facades of the 19th century buildings are visible rising above the ground floor of contemporary shops.

Here are two such facades. The first is in Singleton, located on John St, built in 1898.

The facade of the Singleton Arcade, watercolour, 9 October 2015

When I moved around to the front of the building I could see this interesting chimney, to the rear of the facade.

Chimney detail, the Singleton Arcade, pen and ink, 9 October 2015

Several days later I visited Maitland. The long main street here is also full of interesting buildings. 437 High St is now the home to up-market boutiques and gift shops. I was surprised to find out that it was even older than the Singleton Arcade. This building, originally built for the Australasian Bank (through subsequent transmogrifications becoming the ANZ Bank), was completed in 1869 and opened the following year. Its French styling and rounded ist floor balcony takes advantage of it’s corner location. This is a real stand-out among the other nearby buildings.

The first floor of 437 High St, Maitland, watercolour, 12 October 2015

October 22, 2015 by Leonie Andrews

Seen in Mawson

It’s been a while since I posted. I’ve been busy with lots of other ‘stuff’ which will continue to take up my time over the coming weeks in the run up to my next exhibition at the Gosford Regional Gallery in December.

Here are two sketches from outside our favourite coffee shop in Mawson. This first sketch was done over two sessions. The first day I managed the thumbnail sketch and brushpen shadows. The second day I added the watercolour layer.

Shuttered facade on a real estate office, brushpen and watercolour, 17 & 20 October 2015

On the second visit I decided to try and quickly capture this motorcycle, which I was sure would only be there for a short time. Good practice – of course we left before the rider even came back.

Motorcycle, brushpen and watercolour, 20 October 2015

October 4, 2015 by Leonie Andrews

Flower Power

Today the Canberra Sketcher’s Group braved the massed tulips, not to mention the crowds, for our October sketch outing. It took awhile for us to collect ourselves as the parking was problematic, but eight of us did manage to meet up and get to work.

Several of us chose to work from highest part of the display area. We had plenty of interaction with people coming to see what we were doing.

Working from the high ground

The view across the display beds to the Ferris wheel was popular.

Rob’s view to the Ferris wheel, watercolour and marker pen

But getting in all those people and plants was definitely a challenge.

I found it hard to fit ’em all in! watercolour and graphite

Other’s chose to focus on smaller scenes,

Elaine’s sensitive linework view of a picnic spot, pencil, fine pen and watercolour

and flowers

Tulip study by Deb, watercolour and pen

and traders stalls.

Mandy’s tulips and traders, watercolour and fine marker pen

Of course ther’es always room for that ice cream.

Ice cream vendor, watercolour and graphite

In the end we were grateful to sit down and enjoy our picnic lunch, while comparing notes and catching up on what people had been drawing in the previous month.

The day’s collective effort

I thought we might have had time to sketch some of the tasty treats that people brought along to share for lunch, but they all disappeared before anyone could even get their books out!

We will continue the floral theme with our November outing which will be held at 10.30am on Sunday 1 November, at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. We will meet on the lawns in front of the cafe. Hope to see you then!

October 3, 2015 by Leonie Andrews

Stromlo and surrounds

A week ago we took advantage of the fine weather to go out and get some sketching done. First we started at the new subdivisions of Wright and Coombs, currently being built below Mt Stromlo. The fires of 2003 burnt through pine plantations in this area paving the way for new subdivisions for our expanding city. I was attracted to capture the pattern of shadows cast by the pipes.

Sewerage pipes above the new subdivisions, watercolour, Mt Stromlo appears in the background, 25 September 2015

Later the same week we met up with friends and went up to Mt Stromlo, where the Australian National University has its Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Like the land surrounding it, Mt Stromlo sustained terrible damage in the firestorm of 2003 that swept into the city of Canberra killing 4 people and destroying some 500 houses. All the telescopes, workshops and library on the mountain were destroyed.

One of the major losses at Mt Stromlo was the 74 inch telescope. This building contains its remains.

The 74 inch telescope building, Mt Stromlo, 28 September 2015, watercolour

The building is sealed to contain remaining hazardous materials, but you can peer in through the windows to see what’s left of the telescope. I think my friend took a photo of me straining to draw what’s left of the telescope. You will be spared that sight, but the texture of the burnt and corroded telescope mount just begged to be drawn.

Remains of the 74″ telescope, sketched through the window, graphite, 28 September 2015

My final subject of the day was the remains of the Oddie telescope building, built in 1911, the first telescope on the mountain. Since our previous visit this building has been fenced off to save it from vandalism. At least I could see past the fence to paint the building.

Remains of the Oddie telescope building, watercolour, 28 September 2015

It was a great day and hopefully as the fine spring weather continues I’ll get a lot more outdoor sketching done.

October 3, 2015 by Leonie Andrews

Somethings …

Last night waiting for fish and chips. Yummo.

leonieandrews

Tag / location sketch