GARDEN SKETCHABOUT The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney

Lotuses are blooming

2012-01-17T18:18:00.004+11:00

Finally a sunny day to draw the lotuses. I can't let a year go by without it. They need a big sign - we were there a long time and everyone called them water lilies. Not so many flowers - yet. It has been so cool that maybe more flowers will come if warm weather continues.

After lunch, we sought out interesting trees to draw. Couldn't find last year's favourites, so we discovered some very interesting ones we hadn't seen before. I have to draw these trees again on a bigger page & starting earlier in the day. I can't say what they are, because I couldn't find a sign.

Saturday at Twin Ponds - Alissa Duke

2011-12-11T13:21:00.006+11:00

On Saturday the weather was finally fine enough to go outdoors. I visited the Gardens Shop to spend a gift voucher I had (decisions, decisions..) and then asked about the recent sightings of the tawny frogmouth. I was pointed in the direction of the Twin Ponds. I did not see the bird (unsurprisingly) but I did spent time amongst the trees, enjoying the bird calls and sketching the fascinating tree bark. I love the way paperbark peels off the tree, and the shinyness of the eucalyptus.

More than an hour later I wandered out of the Gardens via the Opera House gates. Although I was tired from a day in the sun I felt as though I had to do just one more drawing.

A Few More Sketches in the Afternoon of 12 November 2011

2011-11-19T10:35:00.005+11:00

Unable to make the morning of the last day of the Spring Sketchabout, we did some sketching in what turned out to be a beautiful afternoon.

From Governmet House by Barbara Gray

From Government House by Carole Solomons

Fountain Government House by Fred Marsh

The Band Lawn by Barbara Gray

The Band Lawn by Fred Marsh

2011-11-17T18:36:00.000+11:00

Thanks to the Sydney Sketch Club who have revived the ancient and timeless joy of sketching in a Garden with the Spring Garden Sketchabouts. Here is everyone (almost) at the last one this Spring on 12 November. See you all again soon we hope.

Last Spring Sketchabout

2011-11-14T10:55:00.005+11:00

We started the Spring Sketchabout at the Palace Garden. As I'd been to the zoo, and my sketchbook is full of animals already, I decided to draw a lion. This one is truly king of the jungle - well, the Palace Garden anyway, as he has a crown of roses.

I snuck off down the stairs away from the main group to draw this jacaranda. They are blooming all over Sydney at the moment. I wanted to be sure I drew one this year, so - no time like the present. They are so ethereal looking.

We took our lunch to the lawn behind the Main Pond, where we always meet to catch up and look at one anothers sketches.We sit in the shade of this big tree and I always look at the intricate patterns of its bark. I've wanted to draw it before and this time I summoned the energy. I didn't think to look what type of tree it is, so I just called it 'The Lunch Tree' because that is what it is for me.

2011-11-13T16:19:00.003+11:00

As much as I wanted to capture a few roses on our last Spring Sketchabout, it was a little bit daunting. So I settled myself in by first painting these flapjacks.

Made a few attempts at some roses, but my style is so rough, it doesn't quite capture the delicate, intricate petals of a rosebud.

Finished off the afternoon in the Oriental Garden, more just to escape the sun. Too tired to capture the entire scene, I decided to pick my two favourite sections and paint them separately.

Spring Sketchabout - Alissa Duke

2011-11-12T21:16:00.004+11:00

After a cool grey start, the blue sky sun came out mid morning as a group of about 20 sketchers enjoyed the final Spring Sketchabout. We went to the Palace Rose Gardens, learnt a bit about their fascinating history before finding flowers, statues and vistas to draw and paint.

Kerry from RBG mentioned the sustainable planting of the Rose Gardens. I quickly found some ladybirds on the rose stems, doing their job.

We stopped for lunch in the shade of a large tree and after chatting and comparing sketches,a few of us continued on for one or two more sketches. This is the view from the Band Lawn, across the Pond to Sydney city.

a wonderful day

Last Spring Garden Sketchabout 2011

2011-11-10T21:22:00.002+11:00

Hello Everyone,

It’s the LAST Spring Garden Sketchabout 2011 with the Sydney Sketch Club on Saturday 12 November, 10 am – 12.30 pm starting outside the Garden Shop – as usual.

We are thinking perhaps the Palace Gardens might be the site of choice this time. There are 2000 blooming roses, grown without any chemicals, lots of amazing history, over-the-top sculptures, graceful old structures and, of course, lovely fig trees.

BYO Picnic afterwards if you'd like to stay on and continue socialising.

Hope to see you all there for a final spring fling with those paints and pencils.

Solar plate etching - gymea lilies

2011-11-10T09:52:00.005+11:00

I made a solar plate etching from my drawing in the post below. This is my first print from it. It was inked up in sepia, except for the flowers which were inked up in red. Then it was rolled over with a large roller with a blend. Unfortunately due to technical difficulties (that's printmaking!) this time round I lost most of the red.

Looking forward to doing another one where the red shows up when I have access to a printing press again. I think this plate has potential in many colour combinations.

Spring Sketchabout Number Two

2011-10-26T10:22:00.007+11:00

The second spring sketchabout was a dull day but lovely to be outside. We'd been expecting rain so we were highly delighted. A lot of new (to us) sketchers joined us and I hope very much we'll see them again.

We went to the Australian rockery & I drew these gymea lilies. I was at the top of this steep slope and the plants were part of the way down. They are so large that they towered above me. Hopefully you can tell that from the photo (courtesy of Jennifer).I had to put the north shore in and a yacht to get some scale.

I then drew some yellow kangaroo paw. I'd wanted to draw the red, but they were located mid-way down this steep slope. I've located some easily accessible ones up in Mrs Macquarie's Road, so hopefully they'll still be flowering next time I go.

Spring in Gardens

2011-10-11T22:43:00.000+11:00

Weekend with Sketch Club was amazing experience to meet new artist and share the talk.

This are some of the sketches we had.

Australian Natives and more

2011-10-11T20:59:00.000+11:00

Here are my sketches from Saturday... a great day!!!

Sketching this folly was quite a challenge...

A good number of the sketchers stayed for lunch and we had a great time sharing sketchbooks. It is always so inspirational to see the works of others.

Catching up

2011-10-11T16:12:00.003+11:00

Unfortunately, I have had other commitments whenever there has been a Sketchabout this spring. Luckily a friend was having a birthday picnic lunch at the RBG last Sunday, so I grabbed that as an opportunity to do some painting.

I arrived early to a very sunny, colourful day at the gardens. I managed to find the first spot you all sketched at and I was like a kid in a candy store. Which is why I forgot to note all the flowers/plants that I drew. As a birthday present to my friend I let her select a picture. Um, it's the yellowy-orange one... :)

Australian Rockery - Alissa Duke

2011-10-09T13:38:00.004+11:00

Sydney Sketch Club met at Royal Botanic Garden on an overcast Spring Day. We went to the Australian Rockery area, which is down near the entrance near the Opera House.

Kerry ( RBG staff) told me of the significance of everything in my drawing.

In the foreground are Gymea Lilies, which are a plant of the Sydney region. They have a flower spike of about 6 meters, which flowers in Spring ad Summer. They were used as a source of food for the indigenous Eora pople. They are now being used as indicator as part of climate change project.

In the mid-ground is the sea wall, a sandstone wall built in 1848 as about 3 acres of tidal land at the edge of the Gardens was reclaimed at Farm Cove.

In the background, beyond Sydney Harbour are the headlands, where the ships carrying the First Fleet of European settlers arrived in Sydney in 1788.

These are Xanthorrhoea (grass trees) .
They are a unique part of the Australian landscape.

As I drew this, I made notes on my page of all the sounds I could hear around me. Kookaburras, children playing and fighting, the tourist train, party boats on the Harbour, a helicopter, jetboats, tourists. sketchers chatting.. and in the moments of quietness I could hear leaves falling or the water lapping against the sea wall.

2011-10-06T09:03:00.000+11:00

Don't forget the Spring Garden Sketchabout this Saturday (8 October) -- join the Sydney Sketch Club at the Royal Botanic Garden. It's free and no formal training is required. Starts at 10 am from the Palm Grove Information Centre (next to the Garden Shop). BYO sketch materials and a picnic if you are staying for lunch. Enquiries 9231 8125

Solar plate etchings - palms

2011-09-30T10:47:00.009+10:00

Another Printfest on Sunday and my first opportunity to print the solar plates I made from the drawings of palms in the Gardens last autumn. This plate was made from the drawing on the right of this spread, done in the Tropical Centre. It was such a simple drawing but the solar etching plate turned out really well. The top one was inked up in sanguine Charbonnel ink - wonderful colour. The other was inked up in an aubergine mix that had been created by Seraphina Martin who runs the Printfest. It is interesting to see them come off the etching press and see how the variation in the colours used makes such a difference.

The second plate was from this drawing of palms done in the Gardens near the Herb Garden. The first was inked up in that lovely sanguine ink again, and the second one with Charbonnel Prussian Blue. Charbonnel are beautiful French inks for fine art printmaking. If you want to know about the process of making solar plate etchings from your drawings or photographs I have written up a short explanation on the glossary of my blog here.

2011-09-24T11:19:00.005+10:00

It was a beautiful day in the Gardens on Thursday, though a cool breeze near the water. We started out on the Spring Walk. Look how gorgeous. There were a lot of people looking and I was lucky to get this photo in a minute when they'd all disappeared. After lunch we moved on to draw trees. I have been wanting to do this ever since I saw Julia and Catherine's beautiful tree drawings the day the sketchabout went to Government House. The colours have been chosen for fun, rather than following nature. The top one is a Port Jackson fig, and the lower
one is a Moreton Bay fig.

Sketching the "Spring Walk"

2011-09-14T17:09:00.005+10:00

The Spring Walk in the Gardens is looking absolutely idyllic at the moment. Go now!

The panorama seemed quite daunting to draw and I was looking for something more bold. I found this glorious stand of irises and drew them, leaving room for the border of polyanthus that were actually further along the walk.

We had lunch on the lawn by the Main Pond and were soon joined by a number of hopeful ibises. The didn't stay around long as we were all far too hungry and the picking were not good.

Spring Garden Sketchabout - Alissa

2011-09-10T18:23:00.005+10:00

We had beautiful spring weather for the first Spring Sketchabout. Under the blue sky and sunshine a group of about 15 sketchers positioned themselves along the colourful Spring Walk to draw or paint the flowers and scenes.

I arrived early and sketched the Statue of SPRING

Then I had a coffee from the Gardens Cafe and sat in the sun on the lawn to sketch my coffee amongst the camelia petals.

Then to the serious business of drawing tulips - I love tulips !!

and then the wisteria.....

Join us next time as we explore another area of the wonderful Garden.......

SPRING GARDEN SKETCHABOUT

2011-09-03T05:36:00.002+10:00

Come back Everyone! It's time for the Spring Garden Sketchabout.

When: 10 am to 12.30 pm, Saturday 10 Sept, 8 Oct, 12 Nov
Where: the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Meet at the Palm Grove Centre Information Booth (outside the Garden Shop as we did in Autumn)

FREE
BYO sketching equipment.

Join the Sydney Sketch Club in association with the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, amongst the spring flowers, wildlife and picturesque landscaping.

Meet other sketchers, relax, have fun and share your art and experiences. Garden staff and Volunteer Guides will provide advice on the seasonal highlights. All levels of ability and experience are welcome.

Picnic lunch to follow (BYO or pick up from café).

Enquiries 9231 8125 or www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov
For updates and to share experiences and sketches
Gardensketchabout.blogspot.com

*In event of wet weather, entry fee of $5.50 for the Tropical Centre

More solar plate etchings from the Gardens

2011-09-01T10:13:00.012+10:00

Last summer I made some solar plates from my drawings from the Botanic Gardens. It was only last Sunday at Seraphina Martin's Printfest that I had the opportunity to print them in glorious colour. This first lotus plate was taken from this drawing.

The solar plates are made by transferring the drawing to architects' drafting film, and exposing a special plate with a polymer coating to the sun.

This narrow plate came from this drawing, again from the lotus pond.

The lion has been on this blog before, but not in such glorious technicolour. Seraphina mixed up some gorgeous colours for us to roll over the plates with, and I bought some new 'Gardens-coloured' inks to inks up with - a leafy green, a lotus red, and a gorgeous deep yellow you see in the lion's mane & legs.

I've printed these plates in a variety of colours and I can't decide which I like best. However this is my favourite of the colours I printed for the 'autumn' plate. She was inked up in my new leafy green.

I made 15 prints on Sunday and that's a record.

The Paginated Garden returns

2011-08-19T09:17:00.004+10:00

The Paginated Garden exhibition, viewed by 630 people in 3 days last autumn, returns for an extended Spring season. From Monday 22 August to 25 November, it will be on show in the Red Box Gallery on the eastern side of the Garden. Enter from Mrs Macquarie Road through Reception of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust buildings. The Gallery is open 9 am to 4.30 pm weekdays. We hope everyone will have time to pop in. More info at www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

Image is 'Dusky Moorhen's view of the city' by Amanda Charlton.

The rest of Meegan's mural

2011-08-04T19:33:00.000+10:00

Here's the other bit around the corner of Meegan's mural.

Meegan's Chalk Mural

2011-08-04T19:30:00.000+10:00

If you can't get out of the office to visit the Garden, then take the Garden to visit the office. Last autumn, Meegan Parkee joined our Great Garden Sketchabout and had works selected for the Paginated Garden Exhibition (coming again soon). Those sketches inspired her chalk mural of the Garden that is enlivening one of her client's offices for the next three months. We think it is truly fab ('awesome' for those under forty)

Rose Colbeck, People’s Choice Prize Winner

2011-05-02T14:09:00.001+10:00

Rose Colbeck’s ‘Flooded Gum’ (pictured) is the winner of the People’s Choice Prize of $500 worth of Derivan art supplies. Congratulations Rose and thanks to all the keen sketchers that voted in and supported The Paginated Garden exhibition.

The Pagination Garden is a page-turner

2011-05-02T06:14:00.001+10:00

Here's David McLachlan of Derivan and Heidi Hereth winner of the Derivan Sketchabout Prize at the opening of the Paginated Garden -- a wonderful evening with over 30 contributing artists and their nearest and dearest. This was followed by an equally wonderful three-day exhibition seen by at least 625 people. Many visitors want to come on the next sketchabout. There were lots of votes for the People's Choice. We'll let you know the winner as soon as we do.

2011-04-29T19:20:00.000+10:00

Congratulations to Heidi Hereth who won the Derivan Garden Sketchabout Prize with this beautiful watercolour sketch 'At Lion Gate Lodge', completed while sheltering from the rain on the last Saturday Garden Sketchabout. The rest of the sketchers arrived from the Trop Centre and plied her with champagne (we had bandoned sketching and resorted to celebration by then) but Heidi painted on so she could submit this to the Garden Shop by 5 pm. But she did say at her acceptance speech that she thinks the glass of champagne helped those last delicate brush strokes.

My Sketchabout Sketchbook in Full

2011-04-27T13:29:00.001+10:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More australia

So here it is - a sketchbook full of garden sketches! Considering how much chatting I did during the sketchabout I am quite pleased that I managed to do so much sketching!

Architects are normally much more comfortable sketching buildings than plants so this sketchbook contains quite a different range of subjects from my usual. I did manage to fit in one sketch of a cup of tea and a palette sketch right at the end so that it became a true 'Liz-sketchbook'!

Looking forward to seeing all the great works in the exhibition!

People in Glass Houses

2011-04-27T13:10:00.000+10:00

A little late this post but over Easter I noticed I had this quick take of these three sketchers, completely absorbed in their drawings at the top of the glass house in the Tropical Centre. The moment before I had been in this same state, in the periscope world of drawing where time charges on, momentarily without you, only to tap your shoulder at some point and say you are late.

Alissa and Lola's post-Sketchabout sketches

2011-04-24T11:49:00.006+10:00

The final Great Garden Sketchabout ended on a wet day with champagne and a lovely afernoon tea. But both Lola (my mum) and I felt as though we needed another session at the Garden, So last Tuesday, with blue sky and sunshine we headed back in for a few hours.

The first stop was the cafe of course...

and then down to the Lawn

and I sketched the sketcher (Lola) ...

while she sketched the trees...

there were Ibis around

and lots of people having picnics on the grass

another lovely day......

6weeks Sketch Marathon & Paginated Exhibition at Rathborne Lodge in Garden

2011-04-23T12:16:00.014+10:00

Yahoo, Friends, are you enjoying sketching?

The Sketchabout was a great fun, the "6 weeks sketch marathon." The final week, despite heavy rain, we went to the Opera House and the Tropical Centre in the Botanical Garden.

Sketcher from England

....a bit hilarious tragicomedy for me, no sense of direction person!
I'm hopeless for a direction and got lost at the Opera House to see other members. Eventually, even though I could catch up with others, a horrible hour for me, gulp?! What was worse, I and the papers became "drawn rats" in the heavy rain. Anyhow, I made one watercolor. Friends, white spots on the watercolor painting are not salt, but rain drops!! While I was sketching, I was lost again. Already my feet were like "tea bags." I was worried if I could walk back to the Garden within the time. An angel came to me! One member was waiting for this lost sheep. Furthermore, I soon realized the lady walking along with my walking pace. How kind and caring she was! I'd really, really appreciate her help.In the Tropical Centre, I sketched other members, as figurative work makes me most comfortable. The drawn rat came back to life and turned to be a woman again!When I look back the sketch marathon, the most precious bonus is making friends with other members and the Garden Trust staff and ...even with rangers(*They helped this wondering sheep!). Second, it eases my "landscape & architecture allergy." Particularly, 2 sketches, the Palm Grove Centre & Bats and the Government House in Rain were a great fun. I was surprised at myself ~(*o*)~. Third, another surprise was that this no-direction-sense girl walked around in the huge garden with a map! Oh, challening brings confidence.

So, Friends, if you love drawing and painting, come & join the Sydney Sketch Club! You'll meet our big smiles ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ.Also, it's really lovely to encourage each other in a group. Indeed, other members cheered me up to try landscapes/architecture and celebrated my outcomes. I love ye, Members!

One more bonus is that we are invited for the opening night of
The Paginated Garden Exhibition
at Rathborne Lodge in Royal Botanic Garden
Friday 29th April to Sunday, 1st May, 10am-4pm.
The map is below ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ. Please come and enoy sketches and handmade sketchbooks. You can choose your favorite and vote for "People's Choice."

Finally, thank you very much for the Gardedn Trust staff, other backstage players and hardworkers who have organized the event with great efforts, sensitiveness and care.

The success is your fruit.

Let us enjoy it together at the party evening next Thursday!! Yey!!

Jennifer's Garden Sketchabout Weeks 1-3

2011-04-22T19:37:00.002+10:00

Apologies for not posting my garden efforts week by week but it took me a while to organise my link

Bamboo was the first entry in my Gardens Sketchabout book - early on I was a bit hesitant to add watercolour in case I ruined a drawing I was basically happy with!

Having cut out the shape to draw the statue I decided I should keep the photo - to give a 'shadow' effect ?

This is possibly the one 'painting' I am most proud of - but if I tried again I probably couldn't replicate those (watercolour) leaves again ! This page, not being proper watercolour paper, buckles slightly - fellow sketchers should perhaps not follow my lead next year in binding a book with different weight papers

Jennifer's Garden Collage

2011-04-22T19:23:00.001+10:00

Jennifer's collaged garden

2011-04-22T19:06:00.002+10:00

Am delighted to say I have finally mastered how to post to a blog! For the Gardens project I visited twice beforehand to take photographs for my handmade book - I found the slivers of photos gave me a great basis to attempt plants and trees with more confidence as I have not drawn this subject previously.

2011-04-20T19:54:00.000+10:00

Thanks to all the great sketchers who made the first Great Garden Sketchabout at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, Great! It was a fantastic six weeks of creative activity. Many staff and visitors commented on the pleasure of seeing people sketching in the Garden, and the quality of the sketches on this blog and those entered in the Derivan Sketchabout Competition have blown people away. A special thanks to Wendy, Annie, Liz, Alissa and Jennifer, the Sydney Sketch Club and Wendy's sketching class for all your efforts and for turning up rain, rain or occasionally shine -- here's a photo to remind us it didn't rain ALL the time. There will be more Garden Sketchabouts in the future but in the meantime, keep the sketches coming on this blog of our gorgeous botanic gardens (in Sydney, Mount Annan and Mount Tomah). Also don't forget The Paginated Garden exhibition from Friday 29 April to Sunday 1 May at Rathborne Lodge in the Royal Botanic Garden -- enter by Woolloomooloo Gate. The exhibition includes works by invited sketch and book artists as well as short listed entries and the winner of the $1000 Derivan Sketchabout Prize.

Erin Hill's sketch from the last Great Garden Sketchabout for 2011

2011-04-19T11:10:00.000+10:00

Erin Hill's sketch, Tropical Centre, 16 April 2011

Plants in Glasses Houses and Autumn herself

2011-04-18T20:38:00.051+10:00

The last Saturday's morning class with viscously mobile acrylic paints proved I was by far the messiest student, early on gaining the distinction of a green-spotted nose. We spent the rest of the sketching time in the Tropical Centre. The pitcher plant I sketched twining habit's had a certain narcisstic romance to them.

Autumn, part of a Seasonal Set in the stairs up to the Rose Garden, had caught my eye some weeks back and I had quickly sketched on my dash homewards. The lipstick and the shirazed grapes aremy fictional colourizations - Salute!

Sketchabout 6- Liz's sketches

2011-04-18T15:38:00.000+10:00

Here are my sketches from the tropical centre.... a great place to sketch on a wet day - except for the occasional drop that came out of nowhere!

It was a great day and lovely to close 6 weeks of sketching with an afternoon... I just had to do one more sketch on the way out- despite the rain. Next time it is a wet day, I intend to bring a bigger umbrella!

Thanks to Kerry for organizing the sketchabouts, Wendy, Annie and Alissa and all the people that joined in to make it such a great success!!!

Alissa's Gardens sketches - Tropical Centre

2011-04-16T19:58:00.002+10:00

Another Wet Wet day. I could have stayed at the pitcher plants in the Tropical Centre all afternoon - they are fascinating and great shapes and colours

Lola's Garden Sketches

2011-04-16T19:52:00.003+10:00

Sketched in the shelter of the Tropical Centre area where the pitcher plants and orchids grow and there are mossy walls

Boy Extracting Thorn and Pyramid Glasshouse

2011-04-16T09:51:00.002+10:00

A few sketches from the last few weeks.
Great weather last Saturday, which unfortunately has been a rarity during the sketchabout. As I sit posting this I am getting ready for the last sketchabout and it is bucketing rain. Well I shouldn't be concerned, it didn't worry Turner who went out in all conditions including strapping himself to a ship mast in a storm. A downpour is a doddle by comparison -well maybe.

Pyramid Glasshouse

Calla Lilies & Statue Boy Extracting Thorn

Sketching Statue of Boy Extracting Thorn

Fred Marsh

The Painted Journey Blog

2011-04-16T09:34:00.003+10:00

Last Great Garden Sketchabout Sat 16 April

If it's pouring this afternoon, we'll go to the Tropical Centre in the Garden (giant glass pyramid and arc) for our last Garden Sketchabout before the competition closes (have you dropped your entry/ies in to the Garden Shop?) But we'll still meet first at 1 pm at the Info Booth outside the Shop and make a group call... Trop Centre or Lion Gate Lodge courtyard depending on mood and weather.

Last Garden Sketchabout tomorrow

2011-04-15T17:23:00.000+10:00

Hi everyone, please join us tomorrow for the last Great Garden Sketchabout from 1pm to 3pm followed by a celebratory picnic. We'll meet as usual at the Information Booth outside the Garden Shop. If it's raining we can head over to Lion Gate Lodge to shelter under the awning in the garden courtyard... or go to the nearby Maiden Pavilion. (There is also a fantastic photo exhibition in Lion Gate Lodge). Don't forget we want everyone to enter at least one sketch in the Sketchabout Competition. We want lots of different entries forThe Paginated Garden Exhibition. See you soon, Kerry.

Heidi Hereth sketching in the Garden

2011-04-15T14:27:00.000+10:00

On Sat 30 March, it was raining when Heidi Hereth arrived at the Royal Botanic Garden but she was determined to sketch! So, while sitting on a plastic bag, she got started.

As she sketched, the sun did return and for her persistence, according to Heidi, she was rewarded with this ‘Sacred Ibis’ sitting on the Greek Monument.

Heidi asked us to share her sketch with you on the blog.

Sketchabout 5 - Liz's Sketches

2011-04-13T16:23:00.000+10:00

Another WONDERFUL sketchabout...and the most perfect day weather wise as well! Was a little exhausted in the morning but somehow picked up once the event started!

I am really enjoying sketching tree trunks these days

Funny that I always seem drawn to the buildings in the gardens....

Now for the sketches that I did during the sketchabout in the herb garden....

Such a beautiful day- so relaxing sitting in the shade sketching and chatting!

A final sketch...I am trying to fill up my sketchbook so feeling pressure to sketch as much as I can! I wrote banana leaves...but I think they might be palms?

My last sketchabout

2011-04-11T21:35:00.004+10:00

Unfortunately I wont be able to make the last sketchabout. However, I hope it wont be the last time I visit the Gardens to draw. It has not only been exciting and full of surprises, but has helped me enormously in the progress of my own work. Thanks to Kerry and everyone involved in Sketchabout.

Twin Ponds

2011-04-10T11:16:00.011+10:00

Last week when the weather was dull, I drew the Twin Ponds. Many birds wandered by while I was drawing, but I just captured two ducks and a red-nosed hooter-tooter (dusky moorhen, in actual fact, I think). This week the weather was just beautiful and in the morning I finished off my page with a tall thin palm. Not sure exactly what sort.

Sketches by Erin Hill

2011-04-07T13:56:00.000+10:00

Erin wanted us to share her sketchabout sketches with you.

The Garden and the City

Government House

Government House Vista

Rhythm&Blues in Botanical Garden

2011-04-06T12:41:00.021+10:00

Friends, I sketched jazz players in the Botanical Garden last Saturday. "Close-up" excited me so much and a great fun. Enjoy them all. More detailed info is in Autum of Arts broucher.
Hopefully, you can feel sounds in the watercolor paintings!
Jazz players were happy with my sketches, whcih made me happy, too.

...a bit embarrasing, I missed out the meet up with other Sydney Sketch Club members in the garden. I expected it at 3:30. BUT it was 3:00! (Thank you, Liz for "baby sitting" of this big girl!)

The jazz players had concerts at Vista Pavilion. After separating from Liz, I went back there and sketched this. We, sketch club members often get together in front of the "Palm Grove Centre," the shop in the Botanical Garden. Friends, could you guess what's hanging from the tree behind the shop? Many nuts? No, too huge as nuts! Tourists' bags? No, too high to hang on. What's that?

They are BATs!! ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ

But, bats~(*o*)~ ? Yes, bats.
Bats hanging on trees always give me the image... "bats on washing lines." I made it into a cartoon. But here is a place for sketches. So, I put it into my blog Sadami's Graffiti. If you'd like to have more fun with my hilarious cartoons and watercolors, come to my blog.

Bats are stars for tourists. Even though Sydney siders are not always happy, becuase they enjoy farmers' fruits and do dropping, but being protected by law. Mmmm....from bats' point of view, we, humans are invadors. Hopefully, we can find a compromised ground to live together peacefully.

The Sydney Sketch Club makes me very busy and productive. Brillinat. Come and join us, Sydney Sketch Club!! Yey! Come to the Palm Grove Centre at 1:00 this Saturday.
I hope one day, I will enjoy sketching with You, my blog friends all over the world ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ.
Have a wonderful week and happy painting!!

Lower Gardens, Lotus Pond

2011-04-05T17:24:00.000+10:00

I missed the morning sketching class and arrived a bit late in the afternoon, before settling down to be hypnotised by lotus fronds. While I was sketching this, five ibises stalked past, two dusky moor hens walked by me, a neat-footed boy came right up and checked this out before I noticed him. Two Indian ladies, one with a pink headscarf , a crocheted triangle in shell stitch, posed nearby me for a photograph. The strange black finial is a ring-in from the gates near the Con, which i think someone wiser would have left out. April 2, 2011.

Lower Garden – Lotus Pond

Watching the lotus leaves, crowded, flippant,

in a lake subsumed by jostling, a party of flirts

who smile and stare, then blow the other way.

None are perfect, most blowsy

with torn edges, fading patches

and yellow margins, some younger leaves

pruned savagely by insects.

The pond heaves and shivers,

courts the wind, unlikely picnickers

they fill the field, while I try to push

a green puddle into shape.

Then a dusky moor hen steps past, [more timid

than a Coot, tamer than a swamp hen]

red and black feet latent with possibilities.

sts back I was sketching lotus flowers in a vase.

Sketchabout 4 - Liz's Sketches

2011-04-05T12:05:00.001+10:00

This week I tried to get to the garden early for some focussed sketching before the excitement of the sketchabout – but the weather and the Con open day had other plans for me...

Just before I reached the garden it started raining and blowing a gale – but of course I still sketched with the threat of rain - this is a wonderful art installation made of building fragments. I have wanted to sketch since I discovered it but it has either been rainy or way too hot to sketch in the sun...so at least I have the first sketch now...but of course I want to go back some day!

Next- a lovely surprise in the Vista Pavilion - an open day at the nearby Conservatorium of Music with some events in the garden - so I had to sketch it! A Clarinet Quartet was playing a very mixed medley which finished with Gershwin’s Lady Be good – so no guess what lyrics were rattling in my head for the rest of the day!

Another great group today and thankfully it did not rain! About 25 people - really getting to know some of the regulars and lovely meeting new people each week!!

I started by sketching the Ikebana scuplture which was a little challenging - had a lovely chat to fellow sketchers in the middle.

Then time to actually draw a detail of some leaves and an another Moreton Bay Fig – I love these trees. More chatting to new sketchabout attendees - it is such a lovely social event. I do find it sometimes hard to sketch and talk at the same time but have worked out that I can manage to get them to a 80% stage while chatting away...but I leave that last 20% to complete in calmness at home. Therefore, what others see at the end of the day is sometimes a lot different from the final version.

I went in search of Sadami and found her sketching musicans back up at the Vista Pavilion and then I joined in sketching- just as a jazz performance started- it was WONDERFUL!!!

Another great day- see you all next time!!!

Agave - near the East Gate

2011-04-04T12:34:00.000+10:00

The Agave is one of the 'draw-me' succulents,a graphically alluring cocktail of colour and form - not that I am attracted to cocktails, especially those tequila based ones which Agaves are so famous for providing the makings of. The right-hand spiralling lealf form, lying fairly close the ground, with those sharp-edged teeth put me in mind of a galaxy, spinning out from the central point where - well, how do galaxies get going?

Fig Tree and Lotus Pond Sketches

2011-04-04T09:14:00.000+10:00

Fig tree sketch from this Saturdays sketchabout

Fig Tree with Harbour

Unable to make the previous weeks sketchabout, however sketched the lotus pond the previuos week

Lotus Pond Botanic Gardens

Fred Marsh

http://www.marshstudio.com/

Four New Sketches by Barbara Gray

2011-04-04T08:58:00.000+10:00

Sketches from last Saturdays sketchabout and a couple from earlier in the week

Amazing Trees, Flowers,Birds and statues.

2011-04-03T18:34:00.002+10:00

This tree is wonderful the way one of its branches has pulled away from the main trunk and is thriving with new shoots sprouting. I used my new pen for the first time, I love it. The ink is Noodlers, Lexington Grey.

Cheeky cockatoo was probably wondering why I was't sketching him in my book.

Although the view from Gov House across the water is superb,I felt inclined to sketch the House and garden

Rathbourne Lodge flowers, angels trumpet very attractive but poisonous.

Trees in the Gardens courtyards

2011-04-03T13:34:00.006+10:00

These trees have been drawn in the courtyards of the Gardens on rainy Saturdays when we sheltered from the rain under the verandahs.

The first drawing is the lower branches of a palm that is in the courtyard of Rathborne Lodge, a beautiful old house where the exhibition of sketches and artists' books will be held, right at the end of the Autumn of Art.

The next one is in the Cunningham courtyard and fascinated a lot of the artists who were sketching there that day. Mine is not accurate as far as the criss-crossing goes. I was teacher, and just doing a quick drawing between going around talking to the participants in the class.

The tree palm is in the courtyard near the Maiden Theatre. I used Fast Sketching Techniques to demonstrate a simple way of

sketching this complex tree. The succulents, of

course, are in the succulent garden, where the class went to sketch this week.

Sketchabout #3

2011-03-31T22:26:00.004+11:00

Some sketches from Sketchabout last Saturday. A little wet but nevertheless, always fun to meet up with other sketchers and getting inspired with so many people's work.

Government House, Sydney

2011-03-30T09:58:00.004+11:00

Sketching on a blustery showery day outside Government House, Sydney - still inside the Royal Botanic Gardens. See the tall grasses blowing in the breeze and the yachts on the harbour leaning over.

A beautifully cultivated garden with an amazing variation of colour in the foliage.

Government House Sketchabout

2011-03-28T09:52:00.006+11:00

Hmm, this weekend seemed to have a political theme to it – State Elections on, sketching at Government House... Anyway, I had an hour to kill before we met for Sketchabout, plus I was damn hungry. I found the Palace Cafe and saw the wonderful gates. I think the only other time I had seen them was in one of Liz's sketches. So while I was waiting for my piping hot coffee to cool down, I decided to paint them.

After last weekend's Sketchabout I had looked at my RBG map and noticed that you could enter the Gov House grounds, thinking I'll have to check that out one day. How funny that we ended up there. I really just wanted to concentrate on the palm tree in the foreground, but my sketch just rambled on.

After sketchabout was officially over for the day, I wanted to do at least one more sketch before the weather got worse. I headed towards the Rose Garden Pavillion, but alas, yet another wedding was taking place there. Then I found this gnarly Holly Oak down from the Pioneer Garden and thought it the perfect subject matter. When I sat down I noticed the Pin Oak, and felt there was this relationship between them.

Sketchabout 3 - Liz's Sketches

2011-03-28T08:41:00.000+11:00

Sketchabout 3 - another wonderful afternoon despite the rain and windy conditions.

over 20 sketchers... a few of them are missing in this group photo.

I knew we were planning to go to Government House so I decided to sketch another
a building as warmup while waiting for 1pm to arrive- this is the old part of the restaurant.

Hard to believe that I have never been to Government House before and now that I know that you can freely wander around the gorgeous grounds I am sure that I will go back. Being an architect I was rather excited at the prospect of sketching an overall view...so John and I set up under a tree to sketch the grand vista that you enjoy on the approach to the building

I then went back to the gardens for another view but shortly after starting the rain started... I was really in the groove so didn't want to stop. Up came the umbrella and I kept going.

This was so much fun and I loved the out of control nature of having rain on my page as despite the umbrella the wind driven rain just kept landing on the page! Thanks to Rod for these photos.

See you all next week...please do come along even if rain is forecast! It is a pity to miss out on all the fun just because of a few drops of water!

Garden Sketchabout#3

2011-03-27T23:30:00.010+11:00

On a patchy rainy day, we went to the Government House. But I already sketched it last week. So, I sketched my new friends. See how we work hard...and chat more?!! (*Tiny dots on her shirt are rain drops, not salt.) Sadami: "Don't say, 'It's the end of our friendship!!' "
Friend just had a big laugh and we really had a great fun. Hahaha!!Friend: "Oh, that's nice. I like it." She'd like to use it for online.Sadami: "From next time, I have to charge ye (hopefully "millions"?!)." I will sketch other members as many as possibleʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ.
Another statue is a Scottish poet, Robert Burns.
I'd really appreciate Jennifer's great kindess, who took photos all of us.

We really look forward to next Saturday! What a friendly club! Come and join us!
In addition, more graffiti are in my blog, "Sadami's Graffiti."

Cunningham Courtyard, Botanic Gardens, Sketching Class

2011-03-27T17:59:00.000+11:00

The Sabal palm was the geometric show-off in the Cunningham Courtyard. But then there was also that woman in white, let's call her Miss Cunningham, watching the grass tree leaves swoosh around in the wind. Too tempting not to subvert the plant sign into:

Miss Cunningham

Courting cold, she stares,
wardrobe missing? Cupboard bare?
A case, again, of nothing to wear.

from Carol Jenkins

Alissa's Sketchabout 3

2011-03-27T12:45:00.003+11:00

There was continual threat of rain today. We were very fortunate to be able to go to the historic Government House to sketch in the gardens and have the verandah to use when it did rain. A wonderful building to sketch. I decided just to choose a small part of it instead of attempting the whole building in all its gl0ry When it was fine, I went searching for a leaf to draw, but got distracted by the view of the Opera House..... but found some feathers to take back to the shelter of the building to draw when it did start to rain. these are all in watercolour pencil & some ink

Bamboo

2011-03-26T10:13:00.000+11:00

The different colours of the bamboo are amazing, not as difficult to sketch as some of the other plants. It was a very hot day but a nice breeze was coming from the harbour, didn't want togo a wandering as I usually do.

A view of Gov House.

2011-03-26T09:51:00.000+11:00

Sketching from Mrs Macquarie's chair, so many people there was hard to finish the sketch as they were blocking my view, oh well this happens so I added some colour, leaves from another part of the gardens. A great place to sketch, so many interesting places to draw.

What's this

2011-03-26T09:36:00.000+11:00

The cockatoos are very friendly and very curious. This particular fellow just sat and posed, just draw me please. This was a day of walking and looking rather than doing much sketching.

Sketchabout #1.... a little late.

2011-03-24T16:55:00.008+11:00

I'm way late with sketches from the Sketchabout #1. Here they are and looking forward to Sketchabout #3 this Saturday!

Sketchabout 2 Fred Marsh – The birth of splat-ism

2011-03-22T23:44:00.000+11:00

After Wendy Shortland's workshop,the first sketch of the day was in the courtyard behind the the Maiden Theatre

Watercolour, pencil, pen.

After lunch I went down into the gardens to get a panoramic view. For many years I worked in Macquarie Street & appreciated how the gardens are such an essential part of our city, by providing an easy access haven for workers to escape at lunch time and rest, read, think, contemplate or just refresh their minds in preparation for the remaining rigors of the day. So I thought that I would find a spot to show the relationship between the garden and the edge of the city at Macquarie Street. I parked my stool under a tree out of the rain and started to sketch, but the raindrops kept finding their way through.

If Turner can strap himself to a mast in a storm to capture a storm on canvas, a few raindrops are a bit of a doddle & were not going to stop me. Nor did they, but many did splat on the drawing and I think that they were a big help in capturing the wetness and grayness of the day – not a normal sight in the Emerald City. I am sure that this day will be looked upon as the founding of the art movement known as splat-ism

Watercolour, restorative gouache, pen, pencil and splats.

Fred Marsh

http://www.marshstudio.com/

This week the beautiful and inspiring Botanical Gardens- Barbara Gray

2011-03-22T23:40:00.002+11:00

Last week Mount Annan, this week the beautiful and inspiring Botanical Gardens! Thank you to those involved in organising this event. It's great! Wonderful to sketch, meet and share with others. I have used gouache and pen [ just a little ] on arches watercolour paper.

Garden Statue

Bamboo Sketch

Rathbourne Lodge

A cactus and a ginger flower

2011-03-22T15:40:00.003+11:00

My daughter and I came to the first sketchabout, couldn't make the second but will be back on Saturday. The first one was just feeling our way, so only did a few drawings. Couldn't resist the vibrant ginger flower, then we spent the rest of the time with the succulents - spoilt for choice!

The Lotus Pond by Kumar Pereira

2011-03-22T11:26:00.001+11:00

Will this sketch of the Lotus Pond by Kumar Pereira be the winner of the 2011 $1000 Derivan Sketchabout Prize or the $500 People’s Choice Prize? For the Great Garden Sketchabout Competition entry form and conditions, go to http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/109106/Sketchabout_Competition.pdf

Sketches must be submitted to our Garden Shop by 5 pm, Monday 18 April, 2011. Best of luck to all entries!

Sketch by Erin Hill

2011-03-22T08:11:00.001+11:00

Even with the harbour views, Erin Hill is fascinated by the ibis. For more information about her Sketchabout experience, visit http://erinhillmyblog.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/saturday-sketch-club/

Adam and Michaela's sketches

2011-03-22T05:47:00.003+11:00

Interstate visitors Adam and Michaela joined us under the shelter of the Rathborne Lodge verandah on Saturday. They both freely admit to not having picked up a pencil since school and started their sketching afternoon with varying degrees of intrepidation.

However by the end of the session they were chatting with the other sketchers and had produced some wonderful drawings

Michaela drew the (lower half ) of the statue of Autumn with an ink pen

and Adam used a 2B to sketch Angels Trumpet (amongst other things)

Second Sketchabout

2011-03-21T14:09:00.002+11:00

Although it rained constantly during the two hours we sketched, this wet, intrusive weather did give us another perspective of the gardens at least. One of my drawings in particular was a collaboration with myself using ink and mother nature providing the raindrops. It turned out to be my favourite.

Nicola's Sketches

2011-03-21T12:38:00.000+11:00

These sketches are done using Chinese Ink with an emphasis on capturing the character of the Botanics rather than a literal representation. I wanted to give a sense of the raining weather and the fact that I was position away from the elements under a large tree. From this location it was relatively dry with only the occasional rain drop falling onto my work. The Botanics is a curious culturally specific beauty in being a very control environment where lawns are neatly moved and vegetation highly selected. I find the use of signs naming vegetation in the garden interesting this is why I have made it the focus in one sketch. The signs legitimize the plant like a passport to the space. I imagine those without signs are swiftly removed.

Nicola Moir
www.nicolamoirart.com

Alissa's sketches from Sketchabout Week Two

2011-03-21T02:14:00.005+11:00

Sketched in the dampness

In the Courtyard Garden , under the verandah at Rathborne Lodge . There were moments of congenial silence and bursts of conversation as 23 of us sketched together

This final drawing of an Angels Trumpet was done at the end of the day - damp watercolour pencils on damp paper - all a bit soggy !

Sketching Class - The Bot Gardens for Beginners

2011-03-20T21:43:00.000+11:00

It's week two for me in my first ever art class, bookmaking and sketching with Wendy Shortland, which I am enjoying very much. To describe something my first instinct is to start writing, though whether it's words or ink, looking takes the cake. Here I may have bitten off to much,with this scene from the courtyard of the Moore Room. Still it's the luxury of a cacaphony of plants, that green thought manifest, the sense of riot and abundance, which makes it such a pleasure to attempt to translate the garden to paper. Next week I hope to turn a few new leaves! Carol J.

Sadami's Sketchabout#2

2011-03-20T14:30:00.004+11:00

Hi, Friends, thank you for wonderful cheers for my adventure, "SketchAbout." I'll show you the Garden has precious historical, cultural and natural heritages of Australia for the future.

Government House

Despite rain, we enjoyed sketching. I also made some sketches Friday before rain (lucky!). But eventually, I finished them up in rain. A bit tough work was Government House.

OK, you and me, let's have a walk together in this huge Garden.
Have a look of the map. Enlarge it, please. Get it? How big it is!
Opening: 7am to 6:30pm.A strategy, "How to Conquer the Garden" is essential. Otherwise, waste of time and you cannot go home?! (*no worries, in fact, so many rangers always patrol.) Let's walk around the left side of the map

Head to Government House and the end of the path to see Sydney Opera House.
From the Herb Garden to the Government House, there are beautiful greeny open fields full of biiiiiiig trees. How big? Good question! Trees are "monstrous" big and gigantic. Can you see a person under a tree? How small it is!

Sculptures are here and there along path ways or on lawns--some are extraordinarily big and contemporary art. The below depicts "waves," according to Toni from the Garden Trust. Ooohhh! Waves!! The left side, a white one is another huge sculpture of natural rocks and an inside is hollow where bats's sweet home. *Please respect a bat. Toni says, "One bad eats thousands of mesquites,"!! Salute bats!

Sculpture "Waves"

Still, we keep walking ahead. Now, left hand side, see "Government House" (*please see the first image and the map.) Although a bit miserable to sketch it under a tiny umbrella in rain, it has paid off. Wow, how gorgeous and elegant!! One more surprise is a freebie to see an inside. So, next time, I'll definitely try it and report you.

Finally, we get to the end of the path. Yey, "Opera House"! This egg-shells-like building is our cultural icon! Many people take a rest here and sit on lawn sunny days.

Sydney Opera House

From now on, I'll boast, "Hahahaha! Sydneysiders, we're living in the GORGEOUS castle and the Opera House is in my backyard!"
Yes, our legends are in the Garden!

Did you enjoy a walk with me? More photos are in my blog, "Sadami's Graffiti."
Next time, I'll try the middle section or the right section.
So, come and join us, the event, "Sketchabout" ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ.

Sketchabout 2 - Liz's Sketches

2011-03-19T22:39:00.005+11:00

Another great day - despite the rain!!! If there is a desire to sketch, the weather might be a challenge but where there is a will there is a way!

Warmup sketch before the start of the sketchabout - this is the wonderful brand new sculpture and very fun to draw. What was not so fun was the rain and the wind. I did manage to get the linework done sitting on my stool holding onto my umbrella - but the painting side was a bit too hard...so I added it later.

Great turnout for a very wet day - 23 approx sketchers. We were given access to Rathbourne lodge and were able to sit under the verandah and sketch the courtyard.

Not quite the options that we had last week but it was really nice to have most of the group together.

Look forward to seeing everyone next week ....Even if it is raining - there is so much to see and sketch in this wonderful garden!!!!

First Sketchabout - Bamboo

2011-03-19T07:02:00.003+11:00

The day of Sketchabout Week 2 has dawned and here I am posting from Week 1.

In the morning I had taught the handmade sketchbook, so I wanted a relaxing afternoon. I still had to eat my lunch, and then decided to do a 'study' of this green bamboo shoot. It is amazing. I could draw it again and again.

The bamboo in the Gardens fascinates me. I've drawn it many times and it is always different - apart from the fact that there are so many varieties, colours and configurations.

Shakespeare in the Garden

2011-03-19T03:50:00.004+11:00

At 7.30 last night about 200 people gathered in the Royal Botanic Garden to watch Midsummer Nights Dream production by Sport for Jove Theatre Company as part of the Autumn of the Arts Festival

I drew this as light was fading fast, until I could not see the page. It is difficult to draw "night".

I went with friends and we agreed that this was an energetic and enjoyable production. The actors are amazing ! and it is so special to see it outdoors in the gardens

My Garden Walkabout

2011-03-18T21:28:00.001+11:00

Hi I had the pleasure of joining the 1st sketchabout last Saturday. It was exciting meeting new people who are fellow artists in the gardens. I sketched this while sitting in the herb garden. I feel a kinship with herbs because I've grown some and it was really good to reconnect. My favourite new herb is Echinacea.

Also I had the chance to see the wonderful lotuses in summer which Wendy told me about. Sometimes I sketch on location and sometimes I study the plants more closely when I get home and sketch from a photo, especially if it's glary.

I hope to make it to some more sketchabouts soon.

First Garden "SketchAbout" & Sydney Sketch Club

2011-03-18T12:56:00.003+11:00

Hi, Friends, thank you for a warm welcome me, Sadami, a new participant. The experience is wonderful! I sketched "figures" in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney.

Alissa & Liz

Organizers, Liz, Alissa and Jennifer are so caring for all members. They welcome us and talk to each member with respect and rapport. It makes anyone comfortable and feels at home. Also, each member is totally autonomous and free, regarding subjects and media. Particularly, the volunteer Jeniffer helps us so much and took photos of members.

A friendly atmospher, no criticism but encouragements are wonderful. Get the image of Sydney sketch club? Isn't it nice?

The fountain is near at the entrance and so attractive. The Garden has many statues, too. I love this statue.

Of course, mischief Sadami always seeks interesting subjects. Here we go! A very cute scare craw, I'm afraid it easily makes friends with birds?! This little girl is in a section for pioneers' "first farm." Kerry from the Garden Trust explains the purpose of the event, "SketchAbout" (from March 12 to April 16) that has a competition and an exhibition at the end. The ultimate goals are public awareness of environmentalism and the maintenance of the Garden.

Kerry

Same minded people get together -- is absolutely fun. It is exciting to look at different techniques and unfamiliar media. The lady wtih green hair sketching me uses pastels. Great opportunity for exchanging info on techniques and materials.
The event will be run till 12 April. The Sydney Sketch Club will always have a meeting in the Garden every Saturday, shine or rain.
So, come and join us! All welcome.

More sketches and stories are in my blog, "Sadami's Graffiti." You'll find lots of feedback and comments on the post from all over the world:).

Happy painting! See you TOMORROW.

Kira's sketches

2011-03-17T18:14:00.001+11:00

Drawn by Kira Sepulveda, age 14 years.

A very enjoyable relaxing afternoon, good time out for sketching, which I love.

Meegan's Sketches

2011-03-17T11:48:00.000+11:00

Meegan Parkee asked us to share her sketches from the Great Garden Sketchabout last Saturday.

The above sketch was done by Meegan in the Garden.

This sketch is of the Sketchable Afternoon Tea at the Garden Restaurant held from 3 pm each Saturday of the Sketchabout.

Beehive Ginger.

2011-03-14T15:16:00.000+11:00

This sketch was done a few weeks ago, a beautiful plant in the tropical centre, worth a visitjust to see the tropical plants

2011-03-14T15:11:00.000+11:00

The Trees are amazing, all different colours, shapes and sizes. This is a pencil drawing with a watercolour wash

12 March first Sketchabout

2011-03-14T15:06:00.000+11:00

What a beautiful Autumn day for our first Sketchabout. I have sketched the bamboo before, not this one, there are so many different Bamboo plants in the Gardens, black ones brown pale grey and of course the Grafitti ones, don't know who did the grafitti, but it does look interesting.

Sketches by Fred and Barbara

2011-03-14T13:56:00.003+11:00

These sketches by Fred Marsh and Barbara Gray are of The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan. They hope to make it to the Great Garden Sketchabout next Saturday at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

Fred Marsh used watercolour, pen and gouache to create the above sketch.

Barbara Gray used ink to create this sketch.

Alissa's sketches from Sketchabout 1

2011-03-13T22:17:00.008+11:00

Blue Sky, sunshine and 40 enthusiastic sketchers in the Gardens! It was an inspriational site !
After chatting with a few of the sketchers , I settled under the shade of Moreton Bay fig ...

I am always fascintated by the fact that these fruit all seems to have only one or two bites out of them and then tossed away - Do the bats get full quickly or did this fruit taste bad and they move onto another ????

and after we all met up to compare sketchbooks and our experiences a few of us went to Afternoon Tea at the Restaurant

Liz's sketches from Sketchabout 1

2011-03-12T21:14:00.006+11:00

Well today was the first of six Garden Sketchabout ...and can I just say up front that it was WONDERFUL!!!!!

Alissa and I got to the gardens before 11.30 and shortly after arriving we found a sketcher already in action! She joined us in a 'warmup' sketch at the lotus pond.

In true Liz-style I managed to sneak in a second warm up sketch before we went to meet up with all the sketchers at 1pm. What a great turn up - over 40 sketchers I think! This page also contains a quick sketch of a chinese lantern that I did while talking to a sketcher from England! I also love drawing maps of where I go each week and a business card of the restaurant from the afternoon tea which didn't fit on the upcoming page (too many cakes- but more of that later!)

After an initial welcome the sketchers scattered all over the garden. I was doing too much talking (so out of character?!? NOT!) and found it hard to concentrate on sketching. It is occasions like these that training your hand to 'reflex sketch' comes in handy.

Another sketch from the same spot - funny I am always drawn to the built structures visible in the garden!

We then had a wonderful session at the band lawn - meeting more sketchers, swapping sketchbooks and a group photo.

9 of us from the Sydney Sketch Club finished the afternoon with a special Sketchabout afternoon tea at the Restaurant. Do I need to say that we had a great time in many ways!

Finally, for me, I walked back across the Harbour Bridge and sketched the gardens in context. Although not drawn as part of the sketchabout I am including this so overseas visitors to the blog can get an idea of how important the garden is to the city of Sydney!

What a wonderful wonderful day - I am one hyped up but somewhat exhausted little sketcher now! And we do it all again next Saturday!

Sunday in the Garden

2011-03-06T16:39:00.004+11:00

Sunday in the Gardens . I rediscovered one of my favourite areas. This wonderful architectural graveyard (it's an art installation) up off Macquarie Street. The first time I found it I thought it was the most wonderful secret place and that no one else knew about it.

Today quite a few people wandered past and two photography groups were there as well.

"Memory is Creation Without End" 2000

I wandered around the Garden exploring the area around Government House and the Tropical Centre, before LUNCH !

Out & About

2011-03-04T10:05:00.000+11:00

Sulphur-crested cockatoo's are everywhere, and quite friendly and noisy. Ther are so many different types of Bamboo and so many colours.

Today was a day for wandering and sketching In the fern garden, catching briefly a very fat lizard, onto the I Wish Statue, by Arthur Fleischman

2011-03-04T09:49:00.000+11:00

Walking to the ferry in a roudabout way, I stopped and sketched the steps leading to the Herb Garden. Great view from the top of the steps, lots of people lying in the sun.
Next time I will sketch the Herbs, could spend hours here.

the Herb Garden

2011-03-01T04:58:00.003+11:00

Sketching the Herb Garden in the cool of the late afternoon. The fragrance is beautiful.

I met up with Liz (see her days sketches in the previous posting) and we sat in the shade to draw and chat.

An afternoon in the gardens

2011-02-28T22:02:00.001+11:00

On Saturday I was in the gardens from 1pm...only 2 weeks till I will be there as part of the sketchabout - I can't wait. Anyway, I had a productive afternoon - here are the sketches I did in my sketchbook.

First stop was my favourite tree. There are lots of Moreton Bay figs (or similar) in the Royal Botanic Gardens but this one is the best!!! Love all those aerial roots.

I was feeling a little exhausted (as I had been walking around town and sketching in the morning as well!) so I went to lie down on the grass in the shade for a bit. It was such a beautiful afternoon and there were lots of groups of people sun baking or resting in the shade so I was in good company. My rest didn't last long as I felt the urge to sketch. This Greek monument I have sketched before and was recently label a coffee plunger here by a Dutch flickr friend. I have always drawn this looking towards the Harbour Bridge but today sitting under the shade of a frangipani tree on a very warm summers day I was facing the opposite direction. No disrespect intended to the monument... I do really love it as a fine piece of Corinthian Greek architecture!

After the coffee plunger analogy surely it was time for a coffee - so I drew a grouping of palm trees while sipping a takeaway skinny latte. It is quite fun to be drawing more trees and landscaping...something that as an architect I used to really be unsure about doing...

And finally - I caught up with Alissa at 4.30 and we did a sketch in the herb garden.

Solar Plate Etchings from sketches

2011-02-27T13:40:00.003+11:00

Last week I made the first prints from my new solar plate etchings based on my drawings in the Gardens.

The first one is based on two drawings - one of the statue of "Autumn" and a different drawing of banksia in the grounds of Lion Gate Lodge. Similarly, the lion has a different background in my sketchbook, and I drew in his actual surroundings from a photograph. These drawings are done on architect's drafting film. In each case I've used a pen for the main figure, then a very large soft pencil for the background.

The solar plate is exposed to the sun through the drawing, then after a few very simple and quick processes, I have a plate that is ready to ink up and run through a printing press.

The "Autumn" print has been done with Sanguine ink and a Cerulean Blue colour roll, and the "Lion" print with sepia ink, and a Cerulean Blue colour roll. I use Charbonnel inks for this process and I've just ordered a few more in "Gardens" colours.

2011-02-25T10:02:00.002+11:00

Went to the Botanic Gardens yesterday to check out the Tropical Centre as a sketching venue for my classes if we get a wet day. There are so many inspiring and amazing things to draw in there. Particularly checked out some plants that would be easy for beginners to sketch from and get a really good result.

I had never seen this plant before. It's just gorgeous in the flesh. It's called Beehive Ginger, but I wonder if the botanical name means 'respectable ginger'? And if there is one that is less respectable.

My Photo Shoot sketches

2011-02-22T08:44:00.002+11:00

Following on from alissa's sketch here are mine

These are the sketches I did while 'pretending' to sketch! Of course I can't PRETEND to sketch... I am used to asking someone to photograph me while I am doing a sketch...so for the photography to be more important than what was happening on the page was rather different. Also strange was the need to be reminded to smile (normally I have that intensely serious concentrating look!) It was a lot of fun... but I am more and more convinced that it is often easier to sketch than to take a good photo!
And just as an aside - I am SOOO looking forward to sketching the afternoon tea as well as sketching in the garden. Nothing beats having a good cup of tea and cake after some serious sketching... and it is a lot of fun to sketch as well. I will certainly be booking a spot!

Photographed in the Garden !

2011-02-22T08:00:00.003+11:00

Last Wednesday. Liz, Annie and I were invited to the Garden to be in some photos for the upcoming Sketchabout and the following Afternoon Tea that the sketchers can book into.We were photographed in the Restaurant, having tea and then walked up to the Herb Garden for some more photos. It was certainly a very interesting experience !

While Jaimie was photographing us, we were drawing him !!