my favourite local dish

Two popular dishes are found next to each other at Bedok Food Centre.
Chwee Kueh or 水粿 is a type of steamed rice cake. To make chwee kueh, rice flour and water are mixed together to form a slightly viscous mixture and served with diced preserved radish and and chilli sauce.
Soon Kueh or 笋粿 is a dumpling-like cake filled with fragrant mixture of shredded bamboo shoots, turnip and dried shrimps wrapped in a smooth rice-tapioca flour skin.
These are cheap and good local dishes and the chwee kueh here is very big and very soft - double the size of the usual size found in other food centre.
When I was little, the chwee kuehs were steamed in clay moulds but it was changed to aluminium moulds in the 70s by the National Environment Authority.

old canteen on campus

A quick bite at the canteen before class in one morning. This is a very old canteen at School of Engineering. The noodle stall uncle told me it will be closed for renovation in September and he does not wish to continue because of the new tendering system.

I also met a student I taught in a subject called "Heritage, Museum and Trails" and we had a good chat over the common problems faced by the current young people in general.

New management, new style, new world everywhere. Time to move on!

8th Urban Sketchers Symposium in Chicago

This bring back fond memories as Gabi mentioned about my email to him in 2008 at 25:08 to be a USK sketch correspondent reporting from Singapore. I remember I had to upload all my old sketches on the Flickr for Gabi to see as we need to 'show the world one drawing at a time'.

July Sketchwalk at Telok Ayer Street

This Saturday we'll be at Telok Ayer Street and the adjacent Amoy, Stanley and Boon Tat streets.

Sanwiched between Ann Sinag Hill and the skyscraping towers of Shenton Way, the area has two of the oldest places of worship in the city— Thian Hock Keng temple and Masjid Al-Abrar—along with many conserved shophouses and buildings, like Nagore Dargah.

We will start and end at Telok Ayer Green, a little pocket of coolness in the middle of the precinct. See you there!

MEETING POINT
Telok Ayer Green
https://goo.gl/maps/G4G7MKcuSMp
09:30 am: Kick off for new participants
12:30 pm: Gather for "gallery gawk" and see all works

same same but different

Same cafes but different sketches.

It's Sunday again

Consecutively the 3rd Sunday I was at this cafe but this time to sip my very first coffee of the day over a piece of oneh cake at around 4pm. The bald head Caucasian man at the back was playing chess with a young boy presumably his son.

There are story behind this sketch too that I was sketching in pain on my right cheekbone coz I had a fall and hit the bath tub the night before after a blast in sketch outing at ORTO in Yishun with the gang in the morning.

My face is very very round now and my right cheek is still painful but manageable, lah.

sketching at the POD

We were up at the POD, 16th storey of National Library Board building to sketch the skyline two days ago. It was the reward for the organising team after the USK10x10+ASEAN50 event. This coloured piece was meant to be a warming up sketch before the panoramic sketch and trying to put my old tools to good use.

paper: Cartiera Magnani, 300gsm, 100%cotton
pen: Uni-ball Signo Gelstick 0.7 black
colour: W&N watercolours
brushes: Raphael flat brushes size 12

Sunday Brunches at the same cafe

USK10x10+ASEAN50 video on final day by Parka

Last Day of USK10x10+ASEAN50

Here is my sketch on the last day of USK10x10+ASEAN50 programme amidst running around as part of the organising team for the event. I started the sketch from the last page of the Seawhite concertina sketchbook since it is the end of the road on the right. The Majestic Hotel on the left of the sketch is under renovation, I will go back to sketch when the renovation is completed.

USK10x10+ASEAN50

“USK10x10+ASEAN50” – a sketching event and “We Draw ASEAN Together” – an art exhibition

In a collaboration with International Relations Department of Temasek Polytechnic, Urban Sketchers Singapore presented USk10x10+ASEAN50, a week-long series of workshops and activities celebrating the ten-year anniversary of the global Urban Sketchers community that also commemorated the golden jubilee of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is also held in conjunction with Global Community Day 2017 held at Glocal Connect Village at Temasek Polytechnic.

These milestones were observed together in an eight-day programme from 1 to 8 July, where about 100 participants signed up for over 10 workshops, as well as a mass sketchwalk kicked off from the URA Centre that saw 150 sketchers from ASEAN cities drawing Ann Siang Hill and Club Street on the final day of the programme.

7 instructors from Southeast Asia cities and 5 instructors from Singapore were engaged to conduct 10 workshops and mass sketchwalk at about 10 indoor and outdoor locations namely Temasek Polytechnic, Waterloo Street, Queen Street, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Kampong Glam, The POD at National Library Board, Little India, Chinatown, Bukit Pasoh, Club Street and Ann Siang Hill. While the workshops and the final mass sketchwalk were creating an opportunity with regional and global reach; an exhibition with about 200 sketches were mounted at the Art Gallery at Glocal Connect Village, Temasek Polytechnic entitled “We Draw ASEAN Together” showcased the ASEAN instructors’ work alongside submissions from sketchers in the region. We are expecting around 1000 visitors to the ArtGallery@GCV when the exhibition ends on 31 August, 2017.

More details can be found at http://10x10.usk.sg

USK10x10+ASEAN50 video on opening day by Parka

another day exploring campus

June Sketchwalk at Changi Village

Kick off the long weekend of Hari Raya Aidilfitri with us at the urban kampung of Changi Village. This idyllic enclave, with the pier full of bumboats and old watercraft, red brick midrise buildings and plenty of sea breezes will undoubtedly charm you to capture something in your sketches.

MEETING POINTS
Start & End
9:30 am & 12:30 pm
Changi Village Hawker Centre
*near the POSB ATMs
https://goo.gl/maps/xMABHrSR4Rw

See you there!

Campus Sketches

tuk tuk in the mall

I was curious why the large, white lamp post was placed in the middle of the cafe which is open at all sides at Tampines One Mall. Even when there was no ceiling as the cafe was located right in the atrium open to plenty of natural lighting. I was more attracted to the fake 'tuk-tuk' or 'sam-lor'- a three-wheeled motorbike at the shop 'tuk tuk cha' selling Thai milk teas. A tuk-tuk is basically a rickshaw with a small engine capacity roaming the streets of Thailand.

The sketchbook is not suitable for watercolours so I added digital colours later.

We Draw ASEAN Together - Exhibition Opening on 1 July

End of Term

The first term of first semester had just ended last week. This semester, I was observing a class of non-Chinese students taking a subject called "Introduction to Language and Culture (Mandarin)". It was so inspiring and fun to watch them speaking Mandarin. My colleague also did a wonderful job in engaging them in class.

I was taking part in "20 Sketches 20 Days" on Facebook with sketcher-friends and we needed to sketch at least 20 sketches in a month for this entire year. I recently found an old sketchbook which I bought in Portland when I first attended the Urban Sketchers Symposium in 2010. It was not ideal for sketching when there was a lot of 'show through' as the fountain pen ink 'bled' through the pages which also warped when light washes were applied. Brush pen was better and I would apply digital colours if I had time.

Here are three sketches depicting the classes at different sessions, one with digital colours and two just in black and white.

Tools: Piccadilly Sketchbook size 90x140mm, brush pen and digital colours.

May Sketchwalk at Esplanade Park

The revamped park now has a playground, interactive musical sculptures and more open connections to the Singapore River and The Padang, with lovely stepped seating by the river bank and benches facing National Gallery Singapore. You can also visit restored memorials and markers such as the Tan Kim Seng Fountain, The Cenotaph, Singapore, Indian National Army Marker and the Lim Bo Seng Memorial, amongst others.

MEETING POINTS

Start
9:30 AM
Lim Bo Seng Memorial
https://goo.gl/maps/nkboVhXs6ZL2
If you'd like to meet with the sketch leaders, they'll be here to give you a quick overview of what usually happens. If you're late, just look for random sketchers or start drawing on your own.

End
12:30PM
Tan Kim Seng Fountain
https://goo.gl/maps/xPNWyfouEMS2
We will conclude the session by placing our works around the fountain to be enjoyed by everyone, and then snap a group photo.

See you all there!

A New Concertina Sketchbook

Aequilibrium - An Glass Art Exhibition

If you not already known, I am still working as Artist-in-Residence at Temasek Polytechnic and one of my jobs is to source for quality exhibition for our small Art Gallery @ Glocal Connect Village. With the capable Arts and Culture Team working so hard, here our team presents to you another exhibition opening this evening for a glass art display called "Aequilibrium" by Tan Sock Fong and our students. It is also the first exhibition under the new Management and a new Team under "Programmes and Services". Please come and support. The last day of exhibition will be Thursday 22 June, 2017. ALL ARE WELCOME.

Last Page

So this is the last page in the Moleskine that I brought to Hong Kong. It was taken with iPhone camera as my iMac had died on me that I could not scan the sketches.

A few 'Firsts'

Every year I will miss April sketchwalk as I attend my granddaughter's birthday celebrations in Hong Kong on 1 May. I normally don't intend to sketch in order to spend all the quality time we have with the family in Hong Kong. This year, I did three smaller sketches at the airport and one slightly bigger piece at the apartment when the girls are playing. This sketch has a few 'firsts' - My first Kuretake Zig Letter CocoIro brush pen on first generation of perfect sketchbook.

At 香港國際機場, Hong Kong International Airport

USK10x10+ASEAN50

April Sketchwalk at Holland Village

We'll be sketching at the vibrant Holland Village this weekend. This bustling area is home to cafes before the hipster-cafe craze took over the country. Lots to see, eat and drink here which all make for great subjects in your sketches.

MEETING POINTS
Start
9:30 AM
Holland Village MRT station
Exit B – Lorong Liput
The sketch leads will be just in front of OCBC Bank, if you need an introduction to what a sketchwalk is about. Otherwise, go explore and sketch!
https://goo.gl/maps/EMWE1TkRM8z
Singapore 278980

End
12:30 PM
Lawn area in front of Park HV
This is where we will do a gallery walk by displaying everyone's pieces together for all attendees to enjoy.
https://goo.gl/maps/CxpfkkXfs112
Singapore 278621

See you there!

My Art Tools

Easter Sunday checking on my old watercolour set and brushes which I neglected for a long time.

"Mi Kwang Magic Palette" made in Korea but bought in Taipei,
"Escoda Reserva Kolinsky-Tajmyr Sable Pocket Round #12" travel brush bought in Barcelona,
"Straits Art Sable" travel brush made by Ah Seng bought in Singapore Straits Art,
"Colorpro Taklon Squuirrel" rigger brush made in Japan.

I don't use these anymore, I use mainly fountain pens and synthetic water brushes for colour washes.

Shirakawa-Go

Finally scan my long Concertina Sketchbook. I remember the weather was so cold that I could not feel my fingers after this sketch and the ink didn't flow well, probably frozen too. Added some colours when I felt warmer. At Shirakawa-go, world heritage site.

ml.shirakawa-go.org/en/
世界遺產合掌村 白川鄉

Oyama Shrine in Kanazawa

I was the only soul at around 7:30am when I entered the shrine compound, I could hear everything so clearly in this cold weather while sketching. I will be able to see Cherry Blossom if I stay for another week, here the red dots are Plum Blossom.

http://www.oyama-jinja.or.jp/

My Flickr Pro

I still have a Flickr Pro account but it is neglected for a very long time. I just scanned and uploaded my recent sketches and this is the screen shot of those sketches in collage.
Visit my flickr Pro to see more at https://www.flickr.com/photos/tia_studio.

Looking at the sketch collage, there are wide variety of topics from landscape, building, cafe, train, exterior, interior to figurative subjects. There are ballpoint pen, fountain pen, black ink, blue ink, brown ink, watercolours, washes and brushes. There are dots, lines, shapes, colours, textures, tones etc etc. However, there is one common thing these sketches share is the fact that they are all done in ONE old stock of Moleskine A6 sketchbook, double spread.
Another common point is that they are done fairly quick from 10 to 45 minutes. Like this simple line sketch at the Bar at National University of Singapore Society (NUSS), it took probably only 20 minutes to complete, no colours and no tonal values, the lines and blacks bring out the layers and spatial quality of the sketch.

Marine Parade Road under construction

The entire stretch of Marine Parade Road is under construction for the future Thomson East Coast Line to be ready from 2019 to 2014 in five stages. Marine Parade Station will be ready in stage 4 in 2013.

I love Marine Parade.

my 6th post on Instagram is a sketch

My first Instagram post was in 2011 and I only had 5 posts thus far but over 850 followers since. I am curious as I am obviously not an active user at all. However, Instagram is great for image manipulation so I took a rare moment to spice up my recent sketch and post it. You can really make a dull sketch look great on Instagram.

Shiinoki Cultural Complex at Kanazawa

I was given one-hour notice to go to Japan at 6pm on a Wednesday, next, I found myself on a 7am flight the following Thursday morning. I was told it was a one-way ticket while office was still sourcing for my returned flight. I had very little time in Japan, so every morning, I would take my breakfast at 6:30am and walked around the hotel before my official duties at 10am. I was pleasantly surprised that the hotel was located near to a beautiful park いしかわ四高記念公園, Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen

This is the Shiinoki Cultural Complex facing Hirosaka Street in Kanazawa of Ishikawa Prefecture. The big dome-shaped grand chinquapin (shiinoki) trees at the main entrance were propped up by wooden poles. They are really good in preserving the old heritage trees.

Sungei Road Thief Market

Sungei Road Thief Market will soon be gone by July 2017. You can read about it here.

Whether you call it thief market or flea market, it is undeniably important part of Singapore's history. My uncles would come all the way from Johor, Malaysia to source for the parts that he wanted and brought back to repair his fridges or fans or even cars.

On this sketch, I thought it was important to sketch the context too, so, I chose a view to include Sim Lim Tower and Rochor Centre which will be demolished soon. You can see my sketch of Rochor Centre here.

Wheeler's Yard

I was with the students for the visit to Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall in the morning since 10am followed by Balestier Heritage Trail in the afternoon. So I was really tired when it ended at around 5pm. I refused to go home to rest as I was so near to Wheeler's Yard; a hippest cafe housed in a massive warehouse at Lorong Ampas just a stone throw away from Zhongsan Mall when I parked my car. I decided to check it out and I found myself sketching over a cup of strong long black and a small plate of black pepper lime squids at Wheeler's Yard. I knew the staff were standing behind watching me sketch since the cafe was quite empty at that time of the day. As I prepared to leave, they requested to have a closer look at my sketchbook and took a picture of the cafe sketch. I should have taken a group photo with them holding the sketch but I forgot.

March Sketchwalk at Sungei Road

We will be swarming down to this crossroads of curious finds on Saturday to sketch it before the many peddlers are forced to move away from this local bastion of pre-loved goods.

While the focus will be the criss-cross of the makeshift stalls, the vicinity has much to capture, including the old Muslim Cemetery at Jalan Kubor, the revamped Rochor River, and the vibrant streets of Little India and Kampong Glam.

MEETING POINTS
Start
3:00 pm
Pitt St x Sungei Road junction
https://goo.gl/maps/y2EEL4R5ph72

End
06:00 pm
Blk 30 Kelantan Lane
We'll meet at the back of this block in the shade it will provide.
https://goo.gl/maps/nMET41C9DgS2

Remember to have sun protection and water with you to stay hydrated. See you there!

Sketching in the Plane

On my way back from Nagoya to Singapore. It's a 380, very spacious cabin but I was stuck at window seat sitting next to two Japanese ladies for 6 hours. Did a sketch to kill boredom.

Dakota Crescent

Dakota Crescent is older than Singapore. It was built by Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) in 1958 and handed over to Housing and Development Board (HDB) in 1960. The name Dakota was taken from the American transport aircraft Dakota DC-3, which commonly landed at Kallang Airport before it was closed. The name Dakota could also commemorate the aviation disaster of June 29, 1946, when one of the Royal Air Force's Dakota aircraft crashed at Kallang Airport in a thunderstorm, killing all passengers on board. Anyway, its days are numbered too. It is to be demolished and make way for new development. You can read all about it here

The playground seen in the sketch which I cropped on the left is also iconic. It was called the Dove Playground designed by a very senior HDB architect in 1979. The same architect also designed the other iconic playgrounds in Singapore - the Dragon playground in Toa Payoh. I sketched it here. The Dove Playground will be demolished too but the Dragon Playground will remain.

February Sketchwalk

The lights have already gone out on this 59-year-old enclave of Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) flats built before our island nation became independent.

This is a final chance to capture the modernist architecture of the estate, albeit vacant and in a state of abandon, silent except for gawking visitors.

We will rendezvous at the playground, from where you can spread out and explore the neighbourhood.

MEETING POINT
Start
9:30 AM

End
12:30 PM

Dakota Crescent Playground
Block 10 Dakota Crescent
Singapore 390010
https://goo.gl/maps/Eqpe8W7bscU2
*we will both start and end here

Dress for the weather. See you there!

It's a Wrap for Term 4

I taught two classes of Early Childhood Studies and these students were very responsive. Teaching tip: one of my rules set up on day one with the classes is "if you find my lessons boring, please pretend to be enthusiastic, I need you to motivate me too!".

I am still sketching the city

January Sketchwalk

It's the first sketchwalk of 2017, and also the first day to usher in the Year of the Rooster!

We're going to Chinatown, and will be starting from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, and ending at Chinatown Point. Along the way, while the streets and business might be quiet, there's still plenty to draw, especially the conserved shophouses with decorations put up for the Lunar New Year.

MEETING POINTS

Start
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
9:30 am
https://goo.gl/maps/PHz8i5xBcHs

End
Chinatown Point
12:30 pm
https://goo.gl/maps/x4eu7iBH5CQ2

This session is kindly led by Pocholo. See you there!