Last sketch in my sketchbook on Wat Klang

This is the last sketch I did in my second Etchr Accordion Sketchbook. I felt that there must be a sketch of Thai Temple in this trip so I went to Wat Mongkol Nimit Phra Aram Luang or Wat Klang as most sketchers did at the Phuket Old Town.

Wat Mongkol Nimit was constructed in 1880. The temple was originally called Wat Klang because of it location in the centre of Phuket Town (‘klang’ means middle in Thai). The main feature of Wat Mongkol Nimit is its shrine hall. The shrine hall is richly and elaborated decorated designs featuring gold leaf, along with blue and red paint. The gable end of the roof by the front entrance is particularly impressive. The other major feature at Wat Mongkol Nimit is its large chedi. A chedi is a type of tower which contains holy relics and is a place where Buddhists come to meditate. The Thai version of the chedi is similar to the stupa built at Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, India and Nepal. You can spot it on the left side of my sketch.

Wat Mongkol Nimit is a busy working temple with lots of resident monks, many of whom study at the religious school located in the temple grounds. I took some photos of the school building and also found two beautiful Thai style houses at the back of the compound where public toilets were located.

It was a quiet Monday morning with few tourists and cars in the compound until a group of young girls in their Thai costumes brightened up the atmosphere. Thai coustumes were so elegant, so pretty but they were all wearing sneakers under their long silky skirts!

Very Cool Cafe in Penang

I did a quick search before going to Penang and found a post on this very cool cafe called "NORM" near Lot 29, the event venue for Asia Link Sketchwalk 2024.

However, I was walking up and now the street near Lot 29 in the morning, I could not find the cafe. Alas, the greyish skeletal signage was on top of the building and the cafe was hidden behind the big pivoted door next to a small open carpark just next to Lot 29! The food was of top quality and the coffee was great. The interior ambience was so comfortable and the best part was the cozy aircondition environment compared to the scotching high temperature of around 35 degC outdoor. Best experience to avoid the huge crowd at the Art Market at 4th level of Prestige Hotel opposite the cafe while waiting for registration to open at Lot 29 at 1pm.

This is also the last page in my first Etchr Accordion Sketchbook on Penang since I arrived on 29 July. I will start the second Sketchbook tomorrow when the ALSW event unfolds.

Etchr Accordion Sketchbook
Size: 520 x 210mm

Asia Link Sketchwalk Penang 2024

AsiaLink Sketchwalk is an urban sketching event held annually in a designated Asian city. This year will be held in Georgetown, Penang from 1 to 4 Aug 2024.

More deatils at this link.

I will be at the Art Market

Here comes the schedule for the free Demo for everyone in art market during the event 4 days at Asia Link Sketchwalk Penang 2024.

My time slot is on the 4th day, 4 Aug 2024 at 3:30pm together with James Lim at Etchr booth.
Open for public to enter.

ART MARKET at Penang Prestige Hotel,
VENUE: 4th Floor Rooftop Function Room
DATE: 1-4 August 2024, 4 days

Day 3 - Gyeonggung Palace

A sketch at Gyeongbokgung Palace where everyone locals or tourists were dressing up in Hanbok, Korean traditional outfits to take photos. It was so crowded as we were told later it was the long weekend holidays for the locals.
3rd sketch on 280 x 255mm Saunders Waterford Watercolour Sketchbook.

Day 1 - Seoul

1st sketch on 280 x 255mm Saunders Waterford Watercolour Sketchbook.

About 40 sketchers from Singapore are attending the Asia Link Sketchwalk at Suwon from 4 - 7 Oct 2023. This is the first sketch at Changi Airport before playing off to Seoul at Gate 14, T3. My husband and I left for Seoul on 1 Oct 2023. On the SQ600 flight, 6 of us found out that we were sitting together in 3 rows, another 2 sketchers were sitting nearby, totally unplanned.

Left photo at Incheon Airport, photos below are at Changi Airport and on the plane to Incheon Airport.

A new sketchbook

This is 280 x 255mm Saunders Waterford Watercolour Sketchbook that I bought ten years ago during the Urban Sketchers Symposium held in Barcelona in 2013. The sizing of the papers seem to be ok after so many years.

Asia-Link Sketchwalk in Taichung

If you not already known, the tickets for Asia-Link Sketchwalk are on sale. This year it will be held in Taichung from 4-7 Oct, 2018. Asia-Link Sketchwalk or ALSW started in 2016 in Bangkok and continued in 2017 in Kuching. I am planning to go, how about you?

Get a Workshop Pass today!

Details are on Facebook and Website.