Brunelleschi's Dome

I recently read Ross King's book "Brunelleschi's Dome", it gave me an insight into the dome, its construction and the man behind the largest masonry dome in the world. Since learning about it in Nick Beattie's Art and Architecture classes in second year, I have been fascinated by the Duomo; its distinct form dominating Florence's (or Firenze as those of us who have been like to be pretentious and call her by her maiden name) skyline.

It was built between 1446-1461, centuries after the main Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore was completed - Brunelleschi won the competition to build Neri's design largely due to his ability to build without the use of centering; the timber platforms and scaffolding built under the dome during its construction. Also key to his success is the absence of flying buttress in his scheme, Filippo constructed a double dome instead - the internal heavier dome supporting the lighter brick-clad exterior shell. The internal dome has a series of rings built into it to prevent outward thrust or "hoop stress".

Duomo Siena

I started this sketch standing in between the striped column bays of Siena's Duomo (also known as Santa Maria de Assunta) - and now as I put on the final touches, it seems surreal that two months ago we were in Italy visiting the buildings that I have only ever encountered in books and lectures. I started so many sketches that I am still discovering them in my sketchbook; prolonging the enjoyment of my first trip to Europe.

Postcards from the Edge

While in Florence recently, I decided to send postcards of my sketches to friends back home - here are some of them. Some were copies of favourite sketches from my pad; others I sketched straight onto the card as I grew more confident. I posted them from a hill town near Florence called Fiesole, known as 'the sky over Florence' - you can see why from the photograph.

The Sky over Florence

This post box is to the right of the doorway (above)

I was sketching a postcard in the courtyard of a church as Sam pointed out a post box on the wall next to me. It was a sign! So we posted all of them from the little red post box in a church courtyard in Fiesole.

Brunelleschi's Duomo looking from the Ospedale degli Innocenti

One was folded in half otherwise all arrived at their destinations unscathed. I call them my expresso sketches because they were painted quickly and with coffee...

...and now back in Kuching; the postcards continue. This time painted with soy sauce from coffee shops.

My friends overseas, send me your postal address via email weehiimin@gmail.com if you want a sketch postcard from Kuching.