Little Paper Lane

 

If you love fabulous stationery shops jam packed with awesome goodies (I do!) this place is like heaven. I had been hoping to draw Jayde Leeder's Little Paper Lane for a few weeks and to catch the lovely Christmas themed windows but things have been a little crazy (really, why am I surprised by this?!).  As luck would have it, my little girl had a birthday part in Mona Vale on Saturday so I had a chance to sketch the cute facade with fluro trees and Santa letterbox between party drop off and pick up.

 

I particularly liked the woven hanging baskets out the front and will have to head back when we move house to scout out some wonderful items for my new home.

 

Litte Paper Lane can be found at Shop 5/1 Waratah Street, Mona Vale (Northern Beaches, Sydney) or you can buy online at http://littlepaperlane.com.au/

 

Hemmingway's Manly - Cafe Sketching

 

 

Another recent rainy day, another cafe sketch. This time sketching at Hemingway's Manly. I attempted for the first time to include as much of my surroundings as possible. In retrospect the effect may have been better in landscape than portrait. The masters of this style of urban sketching also manage to round the field of view a little as well - much like a fish eye, wide angle lens. Something I will have to train myself to do! Am yet to get my head around it...

It's raining... I'll just have to find a cosy cafe

I do love Sydney's sunny weather but of late I've also been making a mental list of more coffee shops to draw from the inside when its wet. On a rainy day this week I stopped by the Belgian Waffle Cafe in Manly to sketch their fabulous yellow La Marzocco espresso machine.

 

As a result of good coffee, friendly staff and yummy waffles I'll be heading back there again.

Sketching - the good and the bad.

Continuing on with my sketching in the last few weeks I've noticed a change in how I feel about my "failed" drawings. In the past when I made a drawing I didn't like, it would often result in me packing my pens away for weeks or months until I was ready to try again. However, drawing now most days has taken the pressure off my expectations. If I make a blunder I'm marking it down as one step closer to a better sketch, and just try not to repeat that mistake the next day. 

 

There are still improvements I'd like to make in the following pics but its been a good feeling to produce these sketches of places I enjoy visiting.

 

 

The Secret Closet in Narraweena

 

 

 

Rope & Anchor Cafe in Manly

 

 

 

John & Ginger in Freshwater

Urban Sketching - Finding a spot of quiet

Each day I have drawn, since first starting my sketchbook last week. With it comes new lessons, be it in composition, colour, timing or even from just observing people or buildings in a way I usually don't stop for.

 

Today I positioned myself in a beachside cafe. I've not really tried to "rough" it yet. I still find a nice spot with good coffee as a priority over a great angle or subject.

I settled to draw this lady studying/working in the sunshine across the road. Her minimal surroundings meant I could draw just a few things and as she was focused on her work she wasn't constantly shifting about like the other people all around me chatting in the cafe.

 

I drew her figure first, and then her surroundings which paid off when she got up and left 10 mins after I started the drawing. Now to start reading more blogs and books on the art of Urban Sketching as I am sure there are many tricks to learn about maximising the short time of observation we may have to complete a drawing. 

Urban Sketching - on the path to Shelly Beach

With life's changes I'm becoming time poor for creative play, but I also realise its an integral part to me staying happy. So I'm resolving to combine a variety of trips outdoors or breaks during the day with some quick sketching.

I've invested in a handy little travel kit of watercolour paints, a refillable water pen and a permanent marker (no.3). Today was my first trip out to trial my new kit. I made my way to a spot by the beach to grab a coffee and start drawing and painting.

This one took me an hour all up which I really can't afford just yet. My next ones will have to have less detail and be completed closer to sunrise so that I can fit in everything else for the day!