28 Jun 2014

Puke Ariki from Puke Ariki Lnading.

I didn't fancy the Futsal, so I decided to have another go at Puke Ariki from Puke Ariki Landing. Puke Ariki is a combined museum and library at New Plymouth, New Zealand. It also includes a visitor information centre and cafe. It is the world's first purpose-built, fully integrated museum, library and visitor information centre. I last drew this in 2011:






I struggled with perspective and I was using pen and watercolour on plain paper.

This time I decided not to try the whole thing, and to draw from a different angle. I used pencil and watercolour on watercolour paper.


I still had issues with perspective, but I felt I got on better this time.

Here is a photo:



Futsal

Futsal is the world's fastest growing indoor sport, although this one was set up outside, at the Tasman Prospect by the wind wand.
It uses a lower bounce ball on a basketball sized court. The word comes from the Portuguese word 'futebol de salao' meaning 'hall football' developed in Brazil and Uruguay in the 1930's.



The Glass Tea Pot  is my impression of a classic piece of glass art in the Melbourne Art Gallery.  MLB

Peggy Gordons Celtic Bar

Sitting next to Maurice I drew a similar perspective.  T'was a bit nippy sitting there.

watching FUTSAL , New Plymouth June 2014


Watching the FUTSAL- [ a 5 a-side version of Football... the FIFA organisers ready for next year's U-20  World Cup New Zealand 2015 held games in the city. MLB

21 Jun 2014

Peggy Gordon's Celtic Bar


Sketching on a winters day- Peggy Gordon's Celtic Bar looked very inviting ....MLB

15 Jun 2014

Puke Ariki

View from top of Centre City towards Puke Ariki
 
 Armstrong Gun on display in Puke Ariki

From top of City Centre


Looking south towards Paritutu
 

 Figures outside Puki Ariki
 


(Sketched by Patricia)

Devon Street Homework


Back in 2012, I did this drawing from the bar across the street. Over a beer, and more importantly, a big bowl of wedges and sour cream I happily sat here for a while and sketched. In my blog, on the original post, I wrote:
"Just an older building on the main shopping street here in New Plymouth. I have a feeling that I may end up colouring this one since I took my time on this one and that the building in the centre is a bright red colour."
At the beginning of 2014, I kept my word to myself and digitally painted this one, walking by several times in those weeks to see what colour everything was. I took my time and then entered it into a large art show in this part of New Zealand. With the large number of artist entries, I was honoured that it made the show selection. You can see it on display until August 24 at Puke Ariki. On June 25th (from 6.00 to 7.30pm) there is a meet the artists event and I plan to be there with my original sketch. And a couple months later, on August 16th (1.30 to 3.00pm), I'll be giving a presentation about Urban Sketching and getting everyone to have a go. A mini-sketchcrawl. If you're in New Plymouth that weekend, grab your preferred art supplies and come down to do some drawing!
Original 2012 sketch
Link to the exhibition website

14 Jun 2014

Blue Sky and Rose Hips.

I decided to sketch at home today. It was a beautiful sunny blue sky day to just sit in the sun in the garden.

I love to observe the sky, and I have decided to try more sky paintings. So here is one for today.

I have also started reading a bit about weather phenomena and I'm learning some interesting stuff. The oxygen and nitrogen molecules that make up the bulk of the air scatter blue and violet light. The human eye is reasonably insensitive to the violet light scattered so this is why we see the sky as blue. The bluer the sky, the drier the air. Water vapour scatters longer wavelengths and dilutes the blue colour of the sky. I have always noticed that when it stops raining at the end of the day and the sun comes out, the sky gets a pale blue washed out appearance. Now I know why! Today the sky was a beautiful strong blue, so lovely and dry after a week of rainy days.