Last Spring Sketchabout

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.

Spring Garden Sketchabout - Alissa

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.......

Garden Sketchabout#3

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."

This week the beautiful and inspiring Botanical Gardens- Barbara Gray

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

Sadami's Sketchabout#2

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 mapHead 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.

Autumn

Hi everyone,

I am the teacher of the book-binding and sketching classes. I'm just finishing the drawings in a book like the one we will make in class. This two-page spread will soon extend over four pages but is not quite complete. I drew the water-lilies yesterday in all that heat. When my book is complete I'll try to photograph the whole thing. I haven't done any writing or collage in this book, but I do in my 'normal' sketchbook.

I should tell you something about myself. I went to art school in 2002 as a mature age student. I painted but wanted to improve my drawing. I did a three-year full-time Advanced Diploma of Fine Art at the Sydney Gallery School. Then I did a Bachelor of Fine Art at COFA (part of the University of NSW). I have been keeping a sketchbook ever since. I teach painting at Sydney Community College and sometimes paper art and book art classes at Artwise (the Amazing Paper shop).

I'm really looking forward to this course. I have so much to share with you and it's so much fun sketching in the gardens.

Lions in the gardens

There are some lovely lions in the statues and fountains in the Botanic Gardens. I could easily spend a day looking for them and drawing them. Each one has a very different face and expression. I am sure that the more that I go back and look at them and draw them, I will get more familiar with what a lion looks like !

near the Rose garden

near Woolloomooloo Gate