Spring in Killarney Park

Joburg Sketchers were invited (yay!) to come and sketch at Killarney's pop-up activation event to renew community interest in their local park. I didn't even know there was a Killarney Park though I've driven around there quite often, so was curious to see. An avenue of jacaranda trees has been gated off from the surrounding suburb which consists mostly of loads of large, old blocks of flats - I should think mostly of the 1950's to 60's era - on the day they were unveiling a heritage plaque at an Art Deco building, though I didn't find that. 

In a month or so those bare branches and pathway are going to be draped and drenched in purple as jacaranda season begins.

 I didn't know where to begin, but eventually decided on the jauntily blowing bunting flags that receded into the background. The people I added are of rather strange proportions, but it gives an impression of the vibe of the day.

This little group of old ladies with various walking aids at their sides seemed very happy to sit there all day in the sun, watching the world (or at least the locals) go by. It's probably a long time since they've been able to do this without worrying about safety - always a concern if there aren't many people around.

The face painter was extraordinary, whizzing through the queues of children with sponges and brushes, turning them within seconds into kitties or butterflies, spidermen or tigers. As usual, so much to sketch - a few more from the other sketchers here on our Facebook page if you're interested.

End of a Eucalypt

These sketches tell their own story - the end of the long life of a beautiful eucalyptus tree at the entrance to our home. It was leaning dangerously towards our neighbour's car park so it had to be done, but I'll so miss its silvery leaves cheerily shimmering in the sun amongst the darker greens of other trees.
These treefeller guys were something else though - just amazing stamina, strength and agility climbing (without safety harnesses!) up and down while wielding a chainsaw in one hand or the other, only sometimes both when they could get a good grip with legs alone. Systematically removing huge limbs and slicing off log after log from top to bottom, avoiding power lines and precious plants, being flung around as branches sprang back from releasing a weight, they were truly awe-inspiring. I felt exhausted after standing in my nice warm kitchen all day, sketching them from the window, I can only imagine how weary they must feel at the end of a day like this - -just another working day.

Outside SciBono, Newtown - cold!!

Winter has finally hit us with a vengeance - it was a freezing cold day last Friday when we'd arranged to go sketching in town, so we searched until we found a spot in the sun and out of the icy wind. First, a not very inspiring, but typically 'Joburg' one overlooking the parking lot of SciBono Discovery Centre over a cup of coffee at a restaurant, then we moved over to outside the entrance where high school students had gathered after their tours. 

 While I was drawing these kids, others came over to have a look and were keen to be in the next sketch, so I abandoned the first one in line and got onto the next one. I added colour to the first later at home - not sure it wasn't better as a simple line drawing - and I wish I'd brought my longer sketchbook and drawn the buildings soaring  up above them, as they were.

I had decided to sketch with a water soluble fountain pen and watercolours on Friday, trying to challenge myself out of a bit of a sketching slump - coincidentally just before Marc Holmes did a post about this technique - have a look at his beautiful results. Mine much messier, I used a Pilot disposable V-pen which dissolves  readily with a bit of wash. I do enjoy the slight unpredictability of what happens with the ink and colour, and the softening of chosen sections of linework - but maybe too random and slapdash here, I will apply more forethought next time!