Sketching with the Brisbane Urban Sketchers at South Bank

Today, I sat on the newly opened Abutment on the side of the Victria Bridge on South Bank and sketched the "Tower of Power" 

This building is huge, it is quite claustrophobic in the way it crowds the river bank.  (there are more buildings to come)

You can just see the roof of Parliament House that I sketched in my work on the other side.. (click on the image for a larger view)

A5 Fabriano Venezia sketchbook. Lamy pen Noodlers black ink, and watercolours.

Sketching at my local Shopping Mall

A5 Quill Sketchbook (90lb) Uni pin pen and watercolours

Sketching with the Brisbane Urban Sketchers at the Historic Regent Theatre

The Regent Theatre was constructed as the first and only American-style picture palace, reflecting the opulence and grandeur of the great Hollywood era, to be built in Queensland, and was one of many operated by Hoyts in Australia. There are many stories worth telling of the Brisbane Theatre, including the police chase which resulted in a bullet hole in the ceiling.

 The picture palaces were built to imitate Hollywood's Golden Era and were designed to function as a cinema and theatre. The Regent was designed by Melbourne architect, Charles N. Hollinshed, with assistance from the Brisbane-based Richard Gailey Junior and Aaron Bolot. It was erected in 1929 and opened on 8 November.
Sadly the theatre itself was demolished, and all that remains is this magnificent foyer. It houses the Brisbane Visitor Information Centre.

Fabriano Venezia 9.5" x 6" 200gsm sketchbook. Lamy pen, noodlers black ink, watercolours.

Sketching at Doomben Races.

Saturday sketchout with the Brisbane Urban Sketchers at Doomben racecourse  was a real challenge for me.  It was a load of fun though.

 First stop was to sketch the horses in their stalls.  How hard can that be.  Oh boy oh boy, very hard, seeing as I was on the wrong side of the gate, and every time I chose a horse to sketch, his/her trainer came and took it for a walk. 

Next stop the stands..  My friend and I sat what up the top to sketch the track.

Last sketch was trying to capture some of the wonderful fascinators and hats.  Sadly I ran out of time to add a splash of colour..

I sketched in my Fabriano Venezia sketchbook with my Lamy fountain pend, water-solouble graphite, and watercolours.

Sketching at Parliament House

....with the Brisbane USkers

I have wanted to sketch this building for ages  Thought I had better hurry up before they finish it.  It is affectionately known as the Tower of Power.  It is the new government building.  The building on the left of my sketch is Parliament House.

After I had finished sketching, I was heading back to the ferry terminal, when I noticed that the gates to parliament were open.  So I went in.  Parliament is sitting.  I go to go up to the Gallery and watch the session for awhile.  I had asked if I was allowed to sketch up there and was told yes.  I was 15 minutes into my sketch, when security came and told me they had made a mistake and no, I couldn't sketch.  I memorised what i was looking at, and will finish it this week.

This building is affectionately known as the Tower of Power. 

Fabriano sketchbook 9.5 x 6 inches lamy fountain pen and watercolours

Sketching at the Scandinavian Festival in Brisbane

It was a lovely morning, sketching with the Brisbane Urban SKers.  Fascinating to see the viking displays at the festival, taste the foods and see the sights..  I tried to sketch some of it.  It was touch and go :-) loads of people milling around. 

Fabriano Sketchbook 9.5" x 6" Lamy fountain pen and watercolours

 

 

Sketching in my Street.

I have wanted to get out an sketch all day, but admin stuff kept me at my computer until 4.00pm.  I said to heck with it, grabbed my gear and went next door to sit on my neighbours garden wall and sketch the house opposite.  The wind had come up, and was blowing coolly from the bay, so I only stayed for just over 30 minutes.

Fabriano  9.5" x 6" Venezia sketchbook, Lamy Safari fountain pen and watercolours..

Park Road - Milton:- REFLECTIONS

I was sitting at the coffee Club on Park Road, with the Brisbane USkers, looking directly across the street at the reflections in the high rise. It was challenging, because before I got to finish the cranes they started moving.  I actually couldn't believe my eyes, I was so engrossed in the drawing process, when I looked up again, I thought, Huh?  That is not right..
I looked, blinked and looked again.  Sure enough, the workmen had finally arrived to operate those cranes.  It was still a load of fun, I just had to wait until they moved the machine back to where it was when I started drawing, draw quickly before it turned around again.

 

Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook - Lamy Safari fountain pen and watrcolours

 

Fathers Day Sunday the 6th in Australia. Fathers and all that Jazz

Literally. :)  The Wynnum Manly Fathers day Jazz festival.  It was wonderful.  While my daughter and her father were bonding, I got to do some sketching.  It was a little difficult with some jostling and me having to stand and sketch, but the ambiance and the music were so worth it.

I did the sketching onsite, but wasn't able to get my watercolours out of my bag, so I painted the colour at my daughters, while she was cooking dinner. (I used photos I had taken for reference.)

 

  Sketched in my Fabriano 9.6" x 6"  sketchbook with my Lamy Safari fountain pen, and watercolours.

Boundary Road Markets - West End - Brisbane

What a fabulous spring day it was.  Out with the Brisbane Urban Sketchers sketching the markets.  I love going out sketching with the group, we always have such a lot of fun, and I am always learning something new.

Fabriano 200gsm 9.5" x 6" sketchbook - Uni Pin pen - Lamy fountain Pen - watercolours

Sketching Park Road Milton. Qld

It was a gorgeous morning, the first day of spring, sketching with the  Brisbane Urban Sketchers.

Park road has such a lot to offer for sketchers, and there are wonderful historical properties in nearby streets.
I chose to stay and sketch the cafe scene this morning.

First up it was the statues in the cafe La Dolce Vita.

Second sketch is of the pretend Eiffel Tower

Last sketch was back at the La Dolce Vita.

All sketches are in my Fabriano Venezia sketchbook.  I used a fountain pen and Noodlers Blue-Black ink.