Sushi Ninja Express

I had some time to kill at the local mall so I went and did a sketch of the sushi restaurant on the top floor. It's the kind that has the plates circulating on conveyors so that you can choose as you are seated. Normally when I'm there (eating, not sketching), I can be a while since I like seeing the selections go by and I just like, you know... eating. The two people in my drawing just came in and started on the first plate in front of them. They had their business faces on, had multiple plates and were gone in 10 under minutes. So I learned that this place is really good if you don't have a lot of time. It was also a reminder that when drawing people, when you start, commit to it! You don't know when anyone can move or leave.

Te Henui Bridge

This is a pedestrian bridge that forms part of the Coastal Walkway. It crosses the Te Henui stream just before it flows into the sea. I did the watercolour about half a year ago but I didn't really like it and put it away. After I did the pen sketch, I pulled out the other one to compare (as it was of the same place). Maybe it wasn't finished, maybe it needed more paint, maybe the darks weren't dark enough... It's hard to say since I'm sort of just starting to use watercolours myself. So I went back into it and did some more painting; it's much better than before. I saved it but it's a lesson in how important it is to get the right amount of paint/water when putting down colours the first time on a page.

Colourize Project: Pohutukawa tree

Here's a watercoloured sketch of a Pohutukawa tree. It's a native New Zealand species that has bright red flowers at this time of the year. I've heard some Kiwis say that this is a New Zealand Christmas tree (I guess from them being red and green over the holiday season).

Thorny the blacksmith making railway nails at the Extravaganza Fair.

St Mary's Lych Gate - historically representing where the dead bodies were passed over to the jurisdiction of the church.

Parking Building

Just a parking building with an ugly green wall. The painted white triangle is mysterious to me as it aesthetically does nothing, yet it is there.

Richmond Cottage & Te Henui

Te Henui Stream, New Plymouth NZ

a lovely day by the Te Henui stream at New Plymouth's East End beach. This area is a reserve with great acticities for all age groups.

Tupare

Gardner's Cottage at Tupare

TUPARE

A visit to TUPARE -  a splendid Garden of Significance and the  Chapman Taylor designed house.  The property is now owned by the Taranaki Regional Council.  This was formally the home of New Plymouth engineer , the late Russell Matthews , father of John Matthews,  well known for his generous support of the arts.  MLB  

Scott and I caught Sketching in the City!

So here's a video of the decommissioning of the HMNZS Endeavour in New Plymouth last weekend. Turns out Scott and I are in it!

https://www.facebook.com/seeitinthecity/videos/895303103965585/