Sunday, 27 April 2014

I'm an Urban Sketcher!

Goodness, time just flies by!

I've been so busy!
 I'm especially excited to  
say that I've been on a few sketch-outs 
with the Urban Sketchers - Brisbane group.
There is also an Urban Sketchers - Australia group.
I was so nervous on my first time out with the group
but, the people were so lovely,
I couldn't help but enjoy myself.

Our group met at the Ship Inn at Southbank  
for a cuppa and chat,
then we spent time sketching at 
followed by lunch at 
Turkish Mado.

These sketches were from my very first sketch-out
done with pen and watercolours.
The top sketch is in my pocket Moleskine sketchbook.
The bottom sketch is in my large watercolour Moleskine notebook
which is close to a landscaped A5 format.


 In early April, 
Brad and I took the bus into south Brisbane
only to find that his Specialist appointment
had been postponed without our knowledge. 
We turned a negative into a positive
and enjoyed a lovely morning
at Southbank Parklands instead. 
Brad read a computer magazine
while I sketched the following. 


A photo of the plaque on the statue

 South Brisbane Town Hall 

The finished page spread
The page spread above was sketched directly with
PITT pens, a ZIG 005 pen, and then some watercolours
in large (approx. A5) Moleskine watercolour notebook.  


A recent urban sketch group outing was at ANZAC Square
in Brisbane city.
As it was just prior to ANZAC day,
we were treated to some soldiers practising
their ANZAC day ceremony.
The down side was that tree loppers were also
in the square tidying up the trees for the special event.
Their trucks and cherry pickers got in the way of our view
but we didn't let it spoil the day or our efforts to sketch.

Again, I sketched directly with PITT artist pens
and finished it up with watercolours
in my extra large (approx. A4) Moleskine watercolour notebook.



The exciting news was that the Brisbane Times got wind
of our Urban Sketchers group and published an article
about our ANZAC Square sketch-out.
The article can be read at this link.



I love that ANZAC Square has quite a few of my favourite trees
the 'Queensland Bottle Tree' which belongs to the Boab family of trees.



Our choir performance on April 15th went very well.
Here is a pic of our 'Sing for Health' choir
and you can read an article about it here.
Bradley was featured in the article so I am one proud Mumma!
Bradley has been seeing an Occupational Therapist
to help cope with severe Tinnitus.
She is the one who organised the 'Sing for Health' choir.
Interesting to note that Brad's tinnitus has eased dramatically
since singing in the choir.


I have so much more to share but it
will have to wait until the next post.

~ Love, light and peace ~

Sunday, 6 April 2014

Sketches

Well, I should have known better 
than to set myself a task of daily sketches 
during my birthday month - March. 

Michelle and Beau also had birthdays in March, 
then there was Saint Paddy's day.
A few bad pain days,
A few medical appointments, 
Choir practise,
my youngest granddaughter 
breaking her arm near the wrist 
so more hospital visits. 
I went on my first sketch outing 
with an Urban Sketchers group in Brissie 
(more on that in a later post)
oh, and then there was the trip to see Elton John...

Let's just say it's been a very busy month! 

I did manage some sketches.

This pencil-free sketch was of some birthday candles drawn in my pocket Moleskine sketchbook 
using ballpoint pens and PITT pens for definition.


 Pencil-free sketch using ballpoint pens and PITT pens 
in pocket Moleskine sketchbook.


Pencil-free sketch using PITT pens and watercolours 
in pocket Moleskine sketchbook.


Pencil-free sketch using PITT pens and watercolours 
in pocket Moleskine sketchbook.


Pencil-free sketch using PITT pens 
in pocket Moleskine sketchbook.

I'm linking up to Sunday Sketches this week
To find out more about Sunday Sketches, check out this link

On my birthday, Brad and I went to see 
Elton John's Million Dollar Piano Las Vegas show 
which was being screened at selected cinemas here in Brissie. 
Naturally, we had to add a bit of bling for the occasion. 
We had a blast!

On that note, 
I will say goodnight! xx