29 Aug 2022 Monday - post-Covid company trip

 I am not sure why this photo floated up to the surface after 6 years (28.5.2016) but I am very proud however that many of these people were still with us or re-joined us for our following company trip to Bangkok.

Heaven

little black book

It was hot at Tiananmen; the members of our tour group are all wilted from the Beijing sun. This study tour was organised by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (Sarawak Chapter) - so most of the people here are architects, not many sketch though - digital photography seems to have put a stop to that!




the forbidden city, beijing

temple of heaven. I steal away to the side and sketch quickly, the others wander around and snap photos. 15 minutes later they all gather on the opposite end of the courtyard and the tour guide signals for me to follow. i finish one sketch and Sam takes a dozen photographs.





These are a series of quick sketches, each taking about 15 minutes and small in size 5x4-8 inches. I used a black ball point - i enjoy the freedom to start on a new page quickly - to move the pen in any direction. To capture the moment; sometimes creating an outline first to come back to later add final touches.
I take this little sketch book with me most of the time, it has travelled with me from Beijing to KL.

Travel sketches - Beijing Part 1

A rapid sketch of the Birds Nest Stadium
coloured in with KOI watercolour field set and a bit of chinese ink. I recall Hubert stopping me mid-sketch and asked 'give us a look' in Hokkien, he seemed genuinely curious so I obliged.



The Temple of Heaven, Beijing.
this is where the ancient Chinese Emperors go to communicate with their gods.

travel sketches - beijing part 2

beneath the reflection pool

inside the dome of the national theatre




housing in downtown Beijing

detail of bay window

These are scenes of the Great Wall of China at Badaling. I used a re-fillable fountain pen brush i bought in Beijing.