November Sketchwalk at Bukit Timah Turf Club

Hi Sketchers!

We will be heading to one of Singapore's last countrysides, around Bukit Timah Turf Club. The area around Turf Club will be redeveloped soon due to the construction of the Cross Island MRT Line, and its old houses and horse-riding grounds and stables face an uncertain future. Riders Cafe may close after a year. This is our chance to sketch this unique part of Singapore.

The area around Bukit Timah Turf Club is large and sprawling. It is advisable to drive, especially if you want to visit Riders Cafe, which is about 20 mins walk from Sixth Ave MRT on foot. The Grandstand and antique shops are about 10 mins walk from the MRT. Parking at Riders Cafe is free, and at the Grandstand it's free for the first 2 hours.

Be sure to bring your mosquito repellent, umbrella, and sunblock as there is little shelter except for the Grandstand.

Some places you can sketch at:
- Horsecity (there may be pony rides!)
- Junkie's Corner (a row of antique shops along a stretch of road)
- Grandstand (cafes and restaurants)
- Riders Cafe (upmarket eatery in an enclave of black and white houses overlooking some horse stables)
- Bukit Timah Saddle Club

Info about the area:
- https://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/.../the-great.../

- https://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/.../the-last.../

- https://danielfooddiary.com/2022/10/03/riderscafe/

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In light of the COVID situation, mask indoors are now optional. We urge everyone to remain cautious. Let's all play a part to stay safe!
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Time: 9:30AM - 12.30PM
Nearest MRT station: Sixth Avenue MRT (DT7)
Exit from MRT, cross the overhead bridge, and walk in via Turf Club Road.
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𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆:
In compliance to Government Covid safety guidelines, be safe!
Please strictly comply. USkSG (and our sketch leaders) will not be held responsible for any flouting of the above guidelines. Thank you.
----------------
Timeline for the day:
9.30am: Meeting point at entrance to Horsecity (https://goo.gl/maps/uxt7cT5MWVVHbzEPA)*
12pm: Start packing your things and make your way for Show & Tell
12.20-12.30pm: End point: Entrance to the Grandstand near the roundabout (https://goo.gl/maps/Pe58bQ1sKXUkz8Kk8)*
*Note that location of Short briefing and Show and Tell are subjected to change, depending on the weather for the day.
----------------
Instructions for the day:
1. Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain necessary distancing.
2. 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.
3. Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 #𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐬𝐠 — so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output.
4. Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them!
5. Happy sketching!! 
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Credits:
Research and photos by Favian Ee
Event banner by Favian Ee and Huiling Zhou

Chinatown sketchwalk with Jeju sketchers

Today we had a wonderful time with Jeju sketchers at Chinatown. They are a lively and talented group. Lee was our interpreter as many of our visitors could not speak English. I have both stamps from Urban Sketchers Singapore and Urban Sketchers Jeju.

Result of last Sketchwalk at Tekka Market

Tekka Market is a place to be immersed in our Singaporean way of living. There is also a food centre full of culturally rich, vibrant and colourful stalls. Tekka Market is truly a melting pot that you will hear all different ethnic communities maintain their unique way of life with their sight and sound in food, fashion and languages. The rain did not damper the mood of sketchers and we all found our shelter to sketch and walked to the adjacent empty ground laid with 'fake grass' for our show and tell and group photos.

October Sketchwalk is scheduled to first week of November

Hi Sketchers!

We will be having two Sketchwalks on first and last Sat of this month (Nov 2022)!

We are heading to Dunlop Street (Little India) on 5 Nov (Sat).

Our USk President, Genine Carvalheira, is joining us for this sketchwalk! 

Link to Genine’s IG page:
https://instagram.com/geninecarvalheira?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Genine’s profile in USk IG page:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYUKCU8O3qL/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

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In light of the COVID situation, mask indoors are now optional. We urge everyone to remain cautious. Let's all play a part to stay safe!
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Time: 9:30AM - 12.30PM
Nearest MRT station: Jalan Besar MRT (DT22)
Meeting point: Outside Indian Heritage Centre

Address: 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vs8MPbMBJpkTYRz8A?g_st=ic

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𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆:
In compliance to Government Covid safety guidelines, be safe!

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

----------------
Timeline for the day:
9.30am: Meeting point outside Indian Heritage Centre*

12pm: Start packing your things and make your way for Show & Tell

12.20-12.30pm: Outside Indian Heritage Centre*

*Note that location of Short briefing and Show and Tell are subjected to change, depending on the weather for the day.
----------------
Instructions for the day:

1. Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain necessary distancing.
2. 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.
3. Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 #𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐬𝐠 — so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output.
4. Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them!
5. Happy sketching!! 

----------------
Credits:
Event banner by Patrick Ng

Channel 8 : 玩物壮志

I was on local TV Channel 8《晨光第一线》: 玩物壮志, click to view the video. Enjoy!

USKSG x SBG Exhibition at Singapore Botanic Garden

September Sketchwalk at Pasir Ris Park

Hi Sketchers!

We will be heading to Pasir Ris this month. Please note that there are two parks (Pasir Ris Park, and Pasir Ris Town Park). Bring mosquito repellent if you can.

Some places for consideration
Pasir Ris Park:
- Bird Watching Tower
- Mangrove Boardwalk
- Maze Garden
- Gallop Stable
- Beach, BBQ pits

Pasir Ris Town Park:
- Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre
- Fishing pond (as shown on the event banner)
- Playground
- Sports Centre

Three ways to enjoy Pasir Ris Park
https://youtu.be/3FtTP4flsYs

----------------
In light of the COVID situation, mask indoors are now optional. We urge everyone to remain cautious. Let's all play a part to stay safe!
----------------
Time: 9:30AM - 12.30PM
Nearest MRT station: Pasir Ris MRT (EW1)

Exit left from MRT, walk by the side of White Sands Mall to Hawker Centre and the Sports Hub.

----------------
𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆:
In compliance to Government Covid safety guidelines, be safe!

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

----------------
Timeline for the day:
9.30am: Meeting point at Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre (near the Town Park)*

12pm: Start packing your things and make your way for Show & Tell

12.20-12.30pm: Atrium of Pasir Ris Sports Hub (near the Town Park)*

*Note that location of Short briefing and Show and Tell are subjected to change, depending on the weather for the day.
----------------
Instructions for the day:

1. Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain necessary distancing.
2. 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.
3. Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 #𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐬𝐠 — so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output.
4. Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them!
5. Happy sketching!! 

----------------
Credits:
Research, photos and event banner by Vincent Chang

Circuit Breaker Video

It has been two years since Circuit Breaker, our form of lock-down. Found this video done by James Lim and need to post here for record.

Result of August Sketchwalk at Fushionopolis

August Sketchwalk at Fushionopolis

Hi Sketchers!

For this sketchwalk, we have a tie-up with JTC who will be granting sketchers access to sketch from the rooftop of Fusionopolis. Stay tune to our page for updates and how to sign up!

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In light of the COVID situation, we urge everyone to remain cautious, mask on at all times and with the updated COVID SMM. Let's all play a part to stay safe!
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Date: Saturday, 27 August 2022
Time: 9:30AM - 12.30PM
Opening brief location:
Fusionopolis One Atrium. Level 1
https://goo.gl/maps/vkP2jgKx6JsLesLY9

How to go: Alight from One North Station, walk towards Fusionopolis, you will see the koufu food court. Take the escalator up twice to Level 1. Shops nearby: Dutch colony, MOS burger

Nearest MRT station: One North station
----------------
𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆:
In compliance to Government Covid safety guidelines, be safe!
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.
----------------
Timeline for the day:

9.30am: Short briefing at Fusionopolis Atrium. Distribute QR codes for Sky Garden access.

12noon: Start packing your things and make your way for Show & Tell

12.20-12.30pm: Space near One North MRT exit A and outside of Fusionopolis

*Note that location of Short briefing and Show and Tell are subjected to change, depending on the weather of the day.

----------------
Instructions for the day:
1. Please have your mask on at all times. Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain necessary distancing.
2. 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.
3. Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 #𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐬𝐠 #𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐒𝐆 and tag @𝐉𝐓𝐂_𝐒𝐆 so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output.
4. Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them!
5. Happy sketching!! 
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Credits:
Banner photo by Favian Ee

Happy 57th Birthday Singapore

Special Sketchwalk for Archi Students from India

Ms Neeta Senacha and her colleagues accompanying 70 students to attend a special sketchwalk we arranged for them on Saturday 6, August at the Art Science Museum of Marina Bay. They are from the Faculty of Architecture and Design, PES University, in Bangalore, India. Hendriko led a group of sketchers from Urban sketchers Singapore took care of the big group from India.

Sketching the Exhibits

National Day Special Sketchwalk at Esplanade

Hi Sketchers!

We resume our traditional special sketchwalk by the bay to celebrate Singapore’s 57th birthday on 9 August 2022 (Tuesday)!

We also have one of the Executive Board member (USk Events Director) and the host of our next International Symposium, Eric Ngan from Auckland, visiting and joining us!

The general meeting point is around Esplanade Outdoor Stage. Feel free to wear red and/or white!

Places that you may consider to sketch:

- Esplanade
- Helix Bridge
- Marina Bay Sands
- Art Science Museum
- Merlion

----------------
In light of the COVID situation, we urge everyone to remain cautious, mask on at all times and with the updated COVID SMM. Let's all play a part to stay safe!
----------------
Time: 9:30AM - 12.30PM

Google map: Esplanade Outdoor Stage
https://goo.gl/maps/1TY5mbHpDYsq4Duf9

Nearest MRT station: City Hall (EW13/NS25) - walk through Citylink Mall / or Promenade (CC4/DT15)
----------------
𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆:
In compliance to Government Covid safety guidelines, be safe!

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.

----------------
Timeline for the day:
9.30am: Short briefing around Esplanade Outdoor Stage*

12noon: Start packing your things and make your way for Show & Tell

12.20-12.30pm: Show & Tell around Esplanade Outdoor Stage*

*Note that location of Short briefing and Show and Tell are subjected to change, depending on the weather of the day.
----------------
Instructions for the day:

1. Please have your mask on at all times. Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain necessary distancing.
2. 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.
3. Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 #𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐬𝐠 — so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output.
4. Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them!
5. Happy sketching!! 

----------------
Credits:
Banner photo by Patrick Ng

Result of July Sketchwalk

July Sketchwalk at National Museum of Singapore

Hi Sketchers!

We are collaborating with National Museum of Singapore (NMS) for the exhibition "OFF / ON: Everyday Technology that Changed our Lives, 1970s – 2000s" for July 2022 Sketchwalk on 30 July 2022 (Sat). Here’s the summary of this exhibition:

“Step into this immersive showcase and explore how everyday technological tools changed and shaped the lives of Singaporeans from the 1970s to 2000s. Set against the backdrop of the nation's industrialisation and rapid transformation period, the showcase takes visitors through familiar local settings at home, work and other social spaces with a small, yet specially curated selection of technology icons from Singapore's past. These include the typewriter and personal computer, as well as telecommunications and entertainment devices such as the payphone, pager and the technicolour television set. Presented as part of the National Museum's Collecting Contemporary Singapore initiative, visitors can look forward to getting to know and reconnecting with some of these technologies, through several themed installations with complementary gamified experiences including an escape room activity.”

For more information, you can check out the link:

https://www.nhb.gov.sg/.../collecting-contemporary...

You are welcome to sketch in this exhibition for a duration of one hour. This is to allow others to sketch in the next time slot and to avoid crowding. Sign up is on first-come-first-served basis. A brief introduction will also be given by a NMS staff about the exhibition. The two time slots are as appended:

Slot 1 (max 30 pax): 10am to 11am
Slot 2 (max 25 pax): 11am to 12pm

The exhibition itself is free for Singaporean/PRs, and a fee is chargeable for non-Singaporeans. Please note that on that day, NMS staff may need you to provide your ID card for verification purposes.

- For Singaporean/PR: By registering with us, you will be avoiding the public queue. However, once all the time slots for sketching are taken, you would need to join the public queue on the day itself to view the exhibition.

- For non-Singaporean: By registering with us, it facilitates the ticket fee waiver. Please note that this is strictly for urban sketchers only, not for family and friends of the sketcher who might tag along

The registration period is from 25 July (Mon) to 28 July (Thu) 2359hrs. If the selected time slot is full, we will notify you via Instagram message.

However, if all the time slots are taken before the registration period ends, we will announce on Instagram and Facebook event page, and will close this page.

You must agree to the following:

1. Don’t stand or sit in such a way that blocks main human traffic or people seeing exhibits.
2. Strictly no wet media (eg. watercolour, oil, acrylics etc). Dry media only (avoid chalks). You can only take pictures and add wash to your sketches after you exit NMS.
3. Please take care of your own personal items. National Museum of Singapore and Urban Sketchers Singapore will not be responsible for any loss within the premises.
4. All decisions made by National Museum of Singapore or Urban Sketchers Singapore are final.
5. National Museum of Singapore and Urban Sketchers Singapore reserve the right to alter, change, or revise the Terms & Conditions without prior notice.
6. National Museum of Singapore or Urban Sketchers Singapore reserve the right of final decision in any case of disputes.
7. By joining this Sketchwalk, you agree to all the Terms & Conditions on this page.

If you are interested, you can fill out the form at https://forms.gle/EY6n7aSFgr1dGpnH9

Alternatively, if you don't wish to join the exhibition, you can reach at 9.30am to sketch the building of National Museum of Singapore (see event banner).

--------------------------------

In light of the COVID situation, we urge everyone to remain cautious, mask on at all times and with the updated COVID SMM. Let's all play a part to stay safe!
----------------
Time: 9:30AM - 12.30PM
Nearest MRT station: Bras Basah (CC2)/Bencoolon (DT21)
----------------
𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆:
In compliance to Government Covid safety guidelines, be safe!
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.
----------------
Briefing at 9.30am: Outside the National Museum of Singapore (near the Tank)*

12noon: Start packing your things and make your way for Show & Tell

Show and Tell at 12.20-12.30pm: Outside the National Museum of Singapore (near the Tank)*

*Note that location of Short briefing and Show and Tell are subjected to change, depending on the weather of the day.
----------------
Instructions for the day:
1. Please have your mask on at all times. Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain necessary distancing.
2. 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.
3. Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 #𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐬𝐠 — so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output.
4. Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them!
5. Happy sketching!! 
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Sketchwalk Leaders: Dorathy Lye, Shirley Ho and Patrick Ng
----------------
Credits:
Banner photo by Mdm Tia Boon Sim 

A sketch from MBS in June

Old Photos

Facebook memories! Look at these old photos. We were so young then in 2013, Barcelona. I was one of the instructors and now some of these participants are masters, veterans in USk. Thanks Béliza Mendes for the photo.

After this USk were at Paraty (5th) then Singapore (6th)! 

Hope to get back to USk global community again! 

On second photo from right: Simone Ridyard, Josu Maroto Peñagaricano, Víctor Swasky and Chris Haldane. Don't recognize the lady after Chris though.

11 years ago on this day

This photo pop out in my Facebook as one of the memories on this day 11 July 2011. The resotred Bukit Timah Railway Staion was officially opened on 1 July. More details at this link.

I didn't remember I was there contributing to the green corridor under an organisaion called "Ideas Worth Doing.Org". 

A check found out that it was related to TEDx

Next USk Symposium will be in Auckland, New Zealand!

Y is for YELLOW

Continuing with the lesson, we applied the colour theory to urban sketching in Singapore and Lisbon context. Using yellow and purple and their mixtures plus tints and shades. I also reminded the participants to leave some white spaces here and there and exploring textures and patterns. Participants were having so much fun and made new discoveries during the zoom workshop.

My first post on the workshop was on 7 Oct 2021 at this link

Lisbon Alphabet 2022

These are the exploration work with the participants. 

I was invited to be one of the instructors for Lisbon Alphabet 2022 and I conducted a class via zoom on 2 July 2022. The alphabet assigned to me was Y. So I developed a lesson plan based on "Y is for YELLOW". 

We had so much fun exploring the colour yellow, its complimentary colour and the opposite intensity. I first introduced Johannes Itten's colour wheel and we made a simple colour wheel using watercolours. Next we explore the primary colours and their complimentary, then I let the participants made some discoveries by mixing some colours as per instructions. 

Later part of the workshop, we focus on YELLOW, PURPLE and the opposite intensity and their tints and shades plus some simple textures and patterns. Before the class ended, we explored how to apply the colour theory to urban sketching. Simplification is the key!

My first post on the workshop was on 7 Oct 2021 at this link

Father's Day

It was Father's day. I was on duties looking after my 90-year-old as the helper who was the main caregiver having a Sunday off-day.

My Father

This is my 90-year-old father on a quiet and peaceful Sunday when the helper was having her off day and we siblings take turn to take care of him.

Watercolours in Pocket Moleskine

I usually did quick line sketches and this is one of the few with colours in the pocket Moleskine sketchbook which is not suitable for watercolours. So I had to do it real quick. It looks better when it is flat and dried after a few months since Feb this year.

The tourists are returning

Tourists are returning to Singapore. You hear them speaking foreign language at the next table at meal time. You see them with their hand luggage. You observe they are all wearing hats, sunglasses and scraves. This is a family from Indonesia.

First Visit to an Exhibition

This is probably the first visit to an exhibition after the pandemic. Har Sai Por's exhibition at STPI, Singapore Tyler Print Institute. Interestingly, I cannot find the FULL NAME of STPI on their website and the whole history is also like, wipped out! It now appeared to be another atas (upmarket in Malay) NGO institution catering for the art commercial world.

Mee Pok Time

In the sketch, it said Meepok time means having a bowl of noodles at Lau Lim Mee Pok at Simpang Bedok. One of my favourite hang-out places for breakfast.

Breakfast place

This was drawn recently in May before going to Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle. I like the coffee at this place and I will always takeway kopi O, kopi, teh and teh halia for my potter-friends. Today I know this food court I frequent a lot is called Food Master Food Court instead of Sheng Siong Food Court.

Everyone's on the PHONE!

Chilling at Cafe

Just outside my house, this guy at the counter of Stamping Ground Coffee had an unique hair style. The cafe is now replaced by Bloom Coffee and these young enterprenuers move very fast.

Round Market at Tampines

Another meal

This is just before the Circuit Breaker