Happy Lunar New Year 12022021

Happy Lunar New Year 2021

Singapore Skyline at Marina Bay

I have done sketches, watercolours in sketchbook and loose papers many times for this same view. This was done before circuit breaker (lockdown) last year. I did two that day but totally forgotten about this one.
Size: 540 x 195 mm
Paper: Arches 300gm
Medium: Ink and Watercolours

Result of January Sketchwalk at Chinatown

Chinatown is buzzing this morning as Chinese New Year is another two weeks away. Last year this time before Covid-19 lock down, it was really crowded with tourists and local shoppers. Now, I only saw one group of German tourists among the local crowd in the morning. The first storey used to be a souvenior shop with all the display stands outside the shop and now a restaurant is occupaying that space with tables and chairs placed along the corridor of the shophouse.

Today, I tried a different approach by adding watercolour washes first before pen work on loose Saunders Waterford watercolour paper, adding colours and continue with pen work again. I added more human figures at home to bring out the festive mood and instill positivity during this trying time of Covid-19 pandemic.
Size: 745 x 260 mm
Paper: Saunders Waterford
Medium: Ink and Watercolours

January Sketchwalk at Chinatown

Hi Sketchers!

For the first sketch walk of 2021, we will be sketching at Chinatown to usher in the year of the Ox! In light of the recent increase in community COVID cases, we urge everyone to remain cautious, mask on at all times and keep to groups of 5 people maximum with a minimum distance of no less than 15m between each group.

Date: Saturday, 30 Jan 2021
Location: Various locations around Chinatown
Nearest MRT: Chinatown
Time: 9:30AM - 12.30PM

𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒄𝒉:

• CNY decorations along Eu Tong Sen Street (head up to the bridge above Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road for a bird's eye view)
• Option of going into the heart of Chinatown across the road
• Rooftop car park at People's Park Complex
• Food/People sketching at People's Park Food Court, Hong Lim Food Centre, Chinatown Food Street, Chinatown Complex Food Centre
• Sri Mariamman Temple at South Bridge Road, Masjid Jamae at Mosque Street, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
• History buffs may be interested in the site of the Sook Ching Inspection Centre at Hong Lim Complex, a reminder of the grim Japanese Occupation
• Shophouses/alleyways at Smith Street, Temple Street, Pagoda Street, Club Street, Ann Siang Hill
• China Square Central

And LOTS more

𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑬𝒂𝒕:

• People's Park Complex Food Centre
• Hong Lim Food Centre
• Chinatown Food Street
• Chinatown Complex Food Centre

𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝒏𝒇𝒐:
Watch our enthusiastic USK sketcher Alvin vlog about our 2020 sketchwalk at Chinatown:
https://youtu.be/xkIxdL7ZnfA

𝑺𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔:
Pei Yi, Jie Yi, Huiling, Sangmi

𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆:
In compliance to Government Covid safety guidelines, we can’t be congregating as a big group of sketchers. As such, we can sketch in small clusters of no more than 5 persons each, and there must be a minimum distance of no less than 15m between each cluster. Remember: MASKS ON.
Please strictly comply. USkSG (and our sketch leaders) will not be held responsible for any flouting of the above guidelines.
Thank you.

𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒚:

1. Arrange to meet fellow sketchers — 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟓 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 — by posting the spot you plan to capture on the event wall; ask who's joining and discuss in the comments until you confirm your little quintet. And please have your face mask on at all times.
2. Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain required distancing; remain in your separate groups.
3. Challenge yourself to explore hidden corners that hasn't been seen/drawn yet; this will also help prevent too many of us crowding the same perching points.
4. Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 #𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐬𝐠 — so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output.
5. Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them!
6. We will do a Sketch Show via 𝐙𝐎𝐎𝐌 𝐚𝐭 𝟑:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 to substitute our usual post-sketchwalk gathering; make your way home — or anywhere suitable — in time to join the session.

Credits:

• Banner photo by Jie Yi
• Event post research by Jie Yi & Benedict

𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒏 𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒏 𝒁𝒐𝒐𝒎! 𝑱𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝒖𝒔!
Time: Jan 30, 2021 03:00 PM Singapore https://staffweb.zoom.us/j/93969543843...
Meeting ID: 939 6954 3843
Passcode: 558346

Collaborations with Ding Yi Music Company

What a nice way to start the new year, Happy New Year 2021!

A digital series weaving four different visual art forms with Chinese chamber music. Join Ding Yi Music Company as the orchestra unfold the stories of today from a different but positive perspective.

Stay tuned to the "Ding Yi +" series every Thursday from 31 Dec 2020 till 21 Jan 2021. I am honoured to appear in the first video of the series. Enjoy!

Raffles Marina

Thanks to the club's management and USKSG's admins that we had a fruitful sketchwalk today with so many like-minded sketchers at Raffles Marina. It was great meeting so many new and old sketchers on location but we could not mingle and talk. I really hope we can talk and share sketches freely again one day and take a group photo just like we used to do. Nevertheless, we had a zoom session in the afternoon for those who can make it home on time.

Size: 750 x 280 mm
Paper: Arches
Medium: Ink and Watercolours

Decemeber Sketchwalk at Raffles Marina

Hi Sketchers! 

For December’s sketchwalk, we are still proceeding with our efforts to sketch together while staying safe. We will wrap up the year of 2020 with an exclusive sketchwalk at the gorgeous Raffles Marina! 

As this is a collaboration with Raffles Marina (a private boat club), please RSVP so that we can prepare accordingly. Raffles Marina will be giving out wristbands for identifying USKSG sketchers. Collection will be at the Admin counter in the main lobby. Those who wear them gets 10% off all all F&B (both at Bistro & Chinese Restaurant, all-day). Sketchers are also encouraged to wear their USKSG t-shirts if they own one, for easy identification by the club’s management. 

Date : 26 December 2020

Time: 9:30AM - 12.30PM 

Location: Various approved locations around Raffles Marina (See below) 

Nearest MRT: Tuas Link (EW33) - the Club is just next to the station. 

There are several areas open to us to sketch at / from: 

1. Grass Patch in front of the gallery, next to the Bistro (Level 1 outdoors) - up to 10 pax 

2. Air-conditioned Viewing Gallery (Level 2 indoors looking out to the Marina) - up to 8 pax 

3. Tower Balcony (Level 4 or 5 outdoors) - up to 8 pax 

4. Air-conditioned Club Lobby (next building Levels 1 & 2 Indoors); a mix of interior sketch or looking out towards the Marina. - up to 15 pax 

5. Bistro (Level 1 Sheltered outdoors) - no. of sketchers depends on occupancy on that day - Note: Required to order food / drinks to stay inside to sketch 

6. Boat Shed Area (annex building Level 1, indoors but non-Aircon) - strictly up to 5 pax (safety reasons) 

7. Marina Boardwalk (Level 1 outdoors; all the way to the Lighthouse end) - up to 20 pax 

*Do note that certain sections of the boardwalk has no fencing so do take precautions! 

IMPORTANT: 

1. Swimming pool (behind the Bistro) is out of bounds. NO sketching and no photography there. It’s an area strictly for RM members only. 

2. Strictly no outside food allowed to be consumed anywhere in the club premises. Only place to eat at are the Bistro and the Chinese Restaurant. 

3. If you are sketching any of the boats in the berths up-close, and there are people on the boat, please seek permission to include the people in your sketch before sketching. And please do not put in recognizable features such as the boat name and license numbers, unless the boat owners have clearly given you permission to do so. (PDPA compliance issue.) 

SKETCH-LEADERS: Patrick Ng, Tony Chua, Favian Ee, Huiling Zhou, James Lim, Tia Boon Sim, Sangmi Lee

Instructions for the day: 

1. Arrange to meet fellow sketchers — no more than 5 in a group — by posting on the event wall, the spot you plan to sketch at. Ask who is joining and discuss in the comments until you confirm your little quintet. And please have your face mask on at all times. 

2.Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain required distancing; remain in your separate groups. And if there are club members fishing at any spot, find another spot to sketch. 

3. Challenge yourself to explore hidden corners that hasn't been seen/drawn yet; this will also help prevent too many of us crowding the same perching points. 

4. Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — with hashtags #usksg — so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output. 

5. Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them! 6. We will do a Sketch Show via ZOOM at 3:00 PM to substitute our usual post-sketchwalk gathering; make your way home — or anywhere suitable — in time to join the session. 

Credits:

• Banner photo by Tony Chua 

• Event post research by Benedict Tay, Patrick Ng 

 IMPORTANT NOTE: In compliance to Government Covid safety guidelines, we can’t be congregating as a big group of sketchers. As such, we can sketch in small clusters of no more than 5 persons each, and there must be a minimum distance of no less than 10m between each cluster. 

Remember: MASKS ON AT ALL TIMES (except when eating). 

Please strictly comply. USkSG (and our sketch leaders) and Raffles Marina will not be held responsible for any flouting of the above guidelines. 

Thank you. 

———————————— 

Show n Tell on Zoom at 3PM after the Sketchwalk! Join us! 

Details here: 

USkSG is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. 

Topic: USkSG Dec Sketchwalk Show n Tell 

Time: Dec 26, 2020 03:00 PM Singapore 

Join Zoom Meeting https://staffweb.zoom.us/j/94135589316

Meeting ID: 941 3558 9316 

Passcode: 049402

Merry Christmas

Season's Greetings

Happy Holidays

Result of November Sketchwalk

I arrived at around 11:30am and the sky was still gloomy, otherwise, with the light and shadow, the place would be more charming. I mentioned before how Emerald Hill adopted the woonerf concept when I was involved in the urban design at URA in early 80s. It used to have so many dilapidated charming shophouses and now this place attracted so many loaded locals, expatriates and young yuppies. 

I was sitting at the junction of Emerald Hill and Hullet Road. Hullet was named after the Principal of Raffles Institution.

November Sketchwalk at Orchard Road

Credit: Sketch by Anita Ryanto 

Hi Sketchers! 

This month-end session, we're still proceeding with our efforts to sketch together while staying safe. Join us this Sat morning as we visit ORCHARD ROAD to sketch the annual Christmas light-up! 

Date: 28 Nov 2020
Time: 9:30AM - 12.30PM 
Nearest MRT: Somerset 

Location: Various locations around Somerset 

Possible locations to sketch: 
• Emerald Hill 

• KPO (former post office) 
• Somerset Skatepark 
• Cuppage Terrace 
• Orchard Central/313 Somerset 
• TripleOne Somerset 
• Design Orchard 

Other info: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHlDK4uW928 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lvndLgsSCc 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUxaSVcOHug 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCBsknp_zA 

[*IMPORTANT: Pls note that this month's sketch walk is NOT going to be at Raffles Marina (RM) as previously alluded to... there has been a change in plan due to some factors; RM will be for Dec Sketchwalk now... so PLS DON'T GO THERE!]  

SKETCH-LEADERS: Patrick Ng, Sangmi Lee. 

Instructions for the day: 

1. Arrange to meet fellow sketchers — no more than 5 in a group — by posting the spot you plan to capture on the event wall; ask who's joining and discuss in the comments until you confirm your little quintet. And please have your face mask on at all times. 

2.Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain required distancing; remain in your separate groups. 

3. Challenge yourself to explore hidden corners that hasn't been seen/drawn yet; this will also help prevent too many of us crowding the same perching points. 

4. Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — with hashtags #usksg — so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output. 

5. Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them! 

6. We will do a Sketch Show via ZOOM at 3:00 PM to substitute our usual post-sketchwalk gathering; make your way home — or anywhere suitable — in time to join the session. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

In compliance to Government Covid safety guidelines, we can’t be congregating as a big group of sketchers. As such, we can sketch in small clusters of no more than 5 persons each, and there must be a minimum distance of no less than 15m between each cluster. 

Remember: MASKS ON. 

Please strictly comply. USkSG (and our sketch leaders) will not be held responsible for any flouting of the above guidelines. 

Thank you.

Inktober2020 - Mission Complete

Zoom meeting

Zoom meeting is now the norm and we had 'hold-up' not a 'throw-down' or 'show and tell' meeting after a sketchwalk.

Last Saturday we went to Little India to sketch trying to bring some postitive energy to celebrate Deepavali. I sat alone in a quiet corridor opposite a very interesting blue shophouse. We had a Zoom meeting in the afternoon since we could have a show and tell at the end of the sketchwalk.

Left portion of a long sketch. The Great Madras, a boutique hotel was on the left with its art deco facade facing a quiet street. Dunlop Street where I was sitting, was comparatively busier with a few barber shops, restaurants and provision shops still seeing customers going in and out but all doors of the tour agencies were shut during this trying period.

Right portion of a long sketch. This blue colour shophouse caught my attention. The blue facade on second story was cladded with wood panels and it was the shortest shophouse at Dunlop Street. Cool & Joy Barber occupied a narrow shopfront between the two shophouses. It was so cool.

Inktober Day 31 - Mission Complete

Inktober Day 29 & 30

October Sketchwalk at Little India

Credit : Sathyapriya Subramaniam Hi Sketchers! 

This month-end session, we're still proceeding with our efforts to sketch together while staying safe! Join us this Sat as we visit Little India to sketch / capture the pre-Deepavali festivities! 

Time: 9:30AM - 12.30PM 

Location: Various locations around Little India 

Nearest MRT: Little India, Rochor, Jalan Besar 

 Zoom Show and Tell 

Time: Oct 31, 2020 03:00 PM Singapore 

Join Zoom Meeting 

https://staffweb.zoom.us/j/99806202366... 

Meeting ID: 998 0620 2366 

Passcode: 038388 

 Locations to sketch: 

• Tekka Market 

• Deepavali decorations 

• Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple 

• Foochow Methodist Church 

• Dunlop St area (eg. The Great Madras) 

• Colourful shophouses 

• Tan Teng Nia Historic Villa (behind Buffalo Road) 

• Art installations near Hindoo Rd

• Eating places (for food sketching lovers) along Race Course Rd - Arunachala Bhavan, Komala Vilas, etc. 

Other info: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b3gtBfQdsY 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ_veIRxFxA 

SKETCH-LEADERS: Patrick Ng, Benedict Tay 

Instructions for the day: 

1. Arrange to meet fellow sketchers — no more than 5 in a group — by posting the spot you plan to capture on the event wall; ask who's joining and discuss in the comments until you confirm your little quintet. 

2.Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain required distancing; remain in your separate groups. 

3. Challenge yourself to explore hidden corners around Little India that hasn't been seen/drawn yet; this will also help prevent too many of us crowding the same perching points. 

4. Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — with hashtags #usksg — so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output. 

5. Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them! 

6. We will do a Sketch Show via ZOOM at 3:00 PM to substitute our usual post-sketchwalk gathering; make your way home — or anywhere suitable — in time to join the session. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

In compliance to Government Covid safety guidelines, we can’t be congregating as a big group of sketchers. As such, we can sketch in small clusters of no more than 5 persons each, and there must be a minimum distance of no less than 15m between each cluster. 

Please strictly comply. USkSG (and our sketch leaders) will not be held responsible for any flouting of the above guidelines. 

Thank you.

Inktober Day 27 & 28

Inktober Day 25 & 26

Inktober Day 23 & 24

Waterloo Street

Last Saturday, we went to Waterloo Street to sketch as a group called "I Jio You" and we worn masks and observed safe distancing among other rules. There was no show and tell at the end but we had a Zoom meeting in the afternoon. That's seem to be the norm nowadays for sketchers.