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...
I’m still experimenting with a different approach to ‘sketching’. Am I sketching or am I painting? Sometimes I can't tell, and why can’t it be both? I’m constantly fighting the urge to pick up a fineliner and noodle away on some linework — I guess it would definitely be a sketch then!
I’ve had my eye on this mint 2 tone Volkswagen in Northcote for quite a while.
I like how the owners park it on the street some days so other people can enjoy it. You might even see it from the harbour bridge - but you definitely have to be a passenger for that - don’t even think about it if you’re driving!
I planned to sketch it up close, a front 3/4 view as usual, but realised I’d have to sit in the street to do that.
Instead I decided to do the whole street. I was attracted to the contrast created by those massive Plane trees on Alma Street framing the old villa and casting shadow across the street.
What a mission! Yes, lots to draw, but I had to sit in full sun on our blisteringly hot sun. After an hour and a half layered in sunblock, a hat and a lavalava to avoid sunburn, I retreated to some shade to reassess the picture and give it a tidy up.
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