Brisbane City Sketchers at the heritage Bulima Ferry Terminal

The Bulimba ferry terminal was built in 1922 for the Balmoral Shire Council, then responsible for the efficient servicing of several ferry routes across the Brisbane River. Since the days of the convict settlement at Moreton Bay when a punt was poled between the main settlement and the south bank of the river, ferries have been a vital transport facility for Brisbane. The river twists and loops through the city and cross-river access is important in linking city and suburbs and greatly reducing travel time between them. Although the first bridge linked the city and South Brisbane in 1862, no other bridges were built for many years, public transport was limited and few people had private transport until after World War Two. People who needed to commute to work and to access shopping and entertainment facilities used cross-river ferries on a daily basis. Ferries were the only major transport service provided by metropolitan local authorities as responsibility for care and management had been placed in their hands by an 1858 Act.

The Hawthorne ferry terminal which is almost a replica of this one was built around the same time.  The are on the heritage register.

 I used my A4 sketchbook (225gsm) unipin 0.03 pen and watercolour.  (ps I used my mechanical pencil to park my angels first)

 

Queenslands first State library was built in Williams Street in 1986 It is a fine old building that has been repurposed and now the State library lives across the river at South bank, and was built in 1988. State Library of Queensland, mainly through the John Oxley Library, has a vital role in preserving and sharing Queensland's history by collecting contemporary and retrospective content that chronicles events, people, places and ideas that continue to shape Queensland.  is the main reference and research library provided to the people of the State of Queensland, Australia, by the state government. Its legislative basis is provided by the Queensland Libraries Act 1988

I was sitting in North Quay Ferry Terminal and sketching the Queensland State Library across the river.
A4 sketchbook - Bamboo Dip pen and Watercolour

 There was a heatwave in Brisbane-town today so only three of us came out.  Th rest elected to go with the other group into an airconditioned environment :D The Brisbane City Sketchers are a tough lot ;) and we know the best places to be on a high heat day.  At North Quay, being right on the river, there were heavenly breezes blowing, and we had a most enjoyable day.

Brisbanes first Crematorium!

Orleigh Park

The area of Orleigh Park was originally known as Coombes Swamp.  It later became known as Hills End.  As the names suggest it is a very wet area, and subject to disastrous flooding. Three major floods were in  1893 - 1974 and 2011.  In 1893 it peaked 3 times, in one month. (February, our wet season) This area was a very prestigious housing area, and in the 1893 floods all but one of the impressive houses were swept away.

In 1914 the park was built.  It is believed the name comes from the name of the house belonging to a John Williams that was swept away.  Orr/O" - descendant of; Lee living nearby.

The large Moreton bay and Weeping  fig trees were planted by the council and residents around 1918.

I had a lovely morning with the Brisbane City Sketchers making this sketch.  I also tried out something new, I discovered from a couple of other urban sketchers.  Read below..

Art Spectrum watercolour pad 150x400mm ink and bamboo dip pen.

See my ink pot!  Yes is is a specimen pot. chuckle..  I put gauze in it, and then I added black noodlers ink to dampen the gauze.  What a great idea.  A dip pen pot that is spill proof!!

Last Urban Sketch for 2016 was a plein air commission

I had the greatest of pleasure making a plein air commission in the last 2 days of 2016.  I sat on the verandah of a fabulous house looking at beautiful views of Moreton Bay.  

I started my commission by doing 4 thumbnails of the view in front of me, then I discussed with my client what she wanted, and I made a pre-drawing.  

The final photo is what she asked for..  It was a lot of fun, even though it was terribly hot.  We had a heat wave at the time, I had a blast.

 These are the thumbnails I made

This was sketched in my A4 plein air sketchbook

The view is magnificent.  One can see St Helena Island on one side and King Island at Redland Bay the other..

 This is the preliminary sketch under the clients instruction. Done on Art Spectrum Acid free Mould made cp watercolour paper.

16" x 06"

The finished artwork as per her request.

Brisbane City Sketchers at Captain Burk Park

Fabulous Morning sketching with the   Brisbane City Sketchers at captain Burke Park

The Story Bridge is the longest cantilever bridge in Australia. The bridge is part of Bradfield Highway and connects Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. The Story Bridge opened in 1940 and was tolled until 1947. It is named after prominent public servant, John Douglas Story.

The former Brisbane Customs House, constructed between 1886 and 1889 to a design prepared by Charles McLay of the Queensland Colonial Architect's Office, was in use by the customs service for nearly a century. It is a fine example of Victorian Free Classical style, with its grand colonnades and portico, and a dome which still manages to be a major feature on the landscape, despite being overlooked by adjacent high rise office and apartment blocks.

A4 sketchbook and unipin pen