King St Wharf - Sydney Sketch Club

Sydney Sketch Club enjoyed sketching around in Darling Harbour. Wonderful to try different subjects that I used to do. It refreshes heart under sunshine. Many historical vessels are at Australian National Maritime Museum. HMS Endeavour is a tall ship, yes Captain Cook. I've loved tall ships since childhood. In a primary school time, I read "Treasure Island," "Moby-Dick" and "The Mutiny on the Bounty." The illustrations charmed me. A book can change a child's future direction. Do you know Jane Goodall (I'm her big fan!) and her episode of the book, "Tarzan" in a childhood? Young Jane thought, "I can do better than that Jane in the story!" She has become a pioneer to protect chimpanzees in Africa and a world leading environmentalist. Unfortunately, young Sadami could not join the crew on a ship. Instead of sailing a sea on a tall ship, I've embarked on visual art and creation. My dream is becoming true.     

 HMS Endeavour, Captain Cook *HMS = His Majesty's Bark

A next sketch is a destroyer, named "HMAS Vampire" It sounds a bit scary though, today, the fighting ship is the largest museum vessel. Can you see a tiny red on the ship? It's the mark of a vampire. Although a gun ship is not a favourite subject, this almost monotone subject interested me nearly in the evening. When I finished the sketch after 5 o'clock, a kind lady security took me into the area to show me the emblem of a vampire. "If you like, add it!" Oh, sweet and it helped to add an "accent" in the greenish work! That's the beauty of sketching that always brings me friendship and opens conversations with others. So, I love to sketch outside and join group activities. 

HMAS Vampire (*HMAS = Her or His Majesty's Australian Ship)

Many of us sketched "Puddle Steamer, Sydney Showboat." This showboat reminded me of an old song of a showboat gambler. I was singing or humming it. That's another beauty of sketching. It makes us happy and lifts us up. Sketch Club members enjoyed show-and-tell and lunch. It's nice to get advice from experienced artists. He, a former architecture teacher at an art school, inspired us lot and answered our questions at a lunch table. Great! 

At the same time, it's very important to listen to heart. A showboat did not excite me and turned out dull. I moved onto the interesting subjects. In a loose style, brush strokes are the lesser, the better. In the showboat, I put too many brushes and messed it up. The results show a clear difference. I feel I'm blessed to work on favourite subjects. 


In Sydney, you can sketch many different ships. It is wonderful to do plein air in an autumn soft breeze. Some people ask me about materials and stuff for plain air sketching. It's easy. Just bring yourself, paper and some paints or pencils. Thinking too much is counter-productive. The point is "Just do it" and make friends with others.    







Friends, Happy Painting!  

King St Wharf - Sydney Sketch Club