Occasionally Auckland Sketchbook escapes the city to somewhere interesting — and close. This time the sketchbook got a workout in The Bay of Islands . Only 3.5 hours by car and a world away from work. The sketch above was made in down-town Paihia, it doesn't look it, but it is literally behind the main street. The view is the back of an old homestead called Williams House . I was attracted by the orchard of very old fig trees on the left that had me imagining eating juicy ripe figs. Sadly they weren't in season but it must be a fun place at harvest time. Right over the other side of the bay you will find his falling down old house on Matauwhi Bay. For a while there the water had a turquoise glow until the sun went into hiding. This is Pompallier House and Clendon Cottage in Russell sketched with my back to the sea. I may have used a little too much artistic licence in moving them close enough together to fit on my page so don't look too closely. Anyway, I have sketched Po...
Sketching with the Esquisse group on Anniversary Day at the Wynyard Quarter. Without a doubt the busiest place around with The Laneway Festival, Seafood Festival, the Anniversary Day Regatta and the International Buskers Festival all on at once. Plenty to draw! I stuck to drawing various vessels which in a way is a bit strange considering people in all their various shapes sizes and outfits were probably the stars of the day.
One of the strangest looking liners I've ever seen, the Celebrity Solstice is also one of the longest liners to visit Auckland this year apparently. It's 314 metres long (Queen Mary 2, also coming this summer, is longer at 345 metres). So long it has to back in.
Do ever feel like getting out and sketching Auckland? Try taking the time to really see what's around you and get it down on paper, all with the moral support of a group. Check out the Esquisse group, meeting once a month, it's a pretty low key but fun way to spend a few hours. Held in a different part of Auckland each time - a good way to get to know your Auckland better.
Happy sketchers...
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