September Sketchwalk at Tiong Bahru

Credit: Sketch by TIA 

We’re headed to beautifully rustic Tiong Bahru this Sat! 

Tiong Bahru is not a super huge estate, but it’s big enough for us to be well spread out, with many gorgeous vantage points to sketch from: 

 • Tiong Bahru Market (you can sketch it from afar or in it while you sip your Kopi)

 • Seng Poh / Eng Hoon St segment (with many eateries, and the famous Monkey God temple, etc.) 

 • Yong Siak St (the quiet corner where BooksActually had operated out of for years, till their recent move - some of you may have missed the organised sketchwalk there recently, this will be your last opportunity to capture at least the shop front) 

• Bird Watchers’ Corner across the street from Tiong Bahru Market 

• Any back porch or walkways between gorgeous timeless Art Deco architecture that sets Tiong Bahru apart.

In still keeping with government safety guidelines, we still will not be having our usual big group briefing at the start, and show n tell at the end. 

Here’s how we will continue to do it (like last month’s): 

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 find and frame a viewpoint that hasn't been seen 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 #usksgsketchwalk #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. 

See you on Saturday!

August Sketchwalk at Marina Bay

 

Credit : sketch by TIA

Last month we tried out a new format for connecting remotely, to capture the sense of camaraderie of our pre-pandemic sessions. 

This month-end session, let's begin the slow crawl back to sketching together, *safely* again. We're going to Marina Bay! 

It's a huge area, surrounding Marina Reservoir, with vantage points from *and* towards areas such as: 

• Bay East Garden 

• Gardens by The Bay 

• Singapore Flyer 

• The Esplanade & The Float 

• The stretch between Merlion Park and The Promontory 

• Marina Bay Sands and Waterfront Promenade 

We'd like to challenge you to come More details may be added, but here's a quick summary for now: 

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 find and frame a viewpoint that hasn't been seen 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 #sketchwalk082020 #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. 

See you on Saturday!

July Sketchwalk is back this Saturday

Credit: sketch by Zaihan

It's been a long while since we've all met up and sketched together on the last Saturday of the month.

Let's reset and start again in a new format, and recapture the sense of camaraderie.

More details will follow in the next few days on USKSG FB Page and Group, but here's a quick summary for now:

1. Go out — or stay in — and sketch your neighbourhood.
2. Meet with fellow sketchers — make sure it's a group of 5 or less — and bring them to your favourite spot or a hidden gem you know of.
3. Post your sketches and pics in the Facebook group — we may create an event album — for a collage or montage to be shared after the event.
4. We may do a Facebook/Instagram Live session to engage everyone at points during the 3 hours.

This format is new to the core team, and for all sketchers as well. Let's give it a go and see how it works out.

Catch you on Saturday!

Video on Circuit Sketch Break

Circuit Sketch Break

USKSG’s OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON OUR PART DURING “CIRCUIT BREAKER” PERIOD


Hello Sketchers!

We hope you’ve all been holding up well during these extraordinary circumstances. The situation has challenged our way of life, and also how we expend creative energy.

Here in Singapore, new measures come into effect from Tuesday, 7 April, to curb the accelerating rise in community transmissions of COVID-19. The key actions aim to maximise physical separation, and we must all attempt to:

1. remain at home, as much as possible
2. only go out for emergencies, essential activities and non-contact exercise
3. intentionally keep away from others when in public

Most of us will have to work and study from home, at least until the end of the month — this truly underscores the gravity of enacting this “circuit breaker” now.

The Core Team of Urban Sketchers Singapore implores all sketchers to hold off on sketching outdoors, be it alone or in groups — drawing on location is obviously not essential, so we can pick it up again after the pandemic is under control.
There may be opportunities to sketch in transient moments, while out for essential services or activities: during a commute, in a queue, awaiting collection, while exercising; should you choose to, please refrain from loitering just to finish.

Let’s play our part in flattening the curve of this pandemic, stand in solidarity with healthcare workers and supporting staff, and stop worsening the hold that the virus has on us all.

We wish you a productive weekend, in preparation for the coming weeks. Be well and safe!

P.S. Look out for upcoming themed challenges to occupy us all in sketching together, even while apart!

February Sketchwalk at Liang Court

Credit : Sketch by Patrick Ng

It’s not very often that we have our sketchwalk on 29 February! On this special day, we are going to sketch a building that is probably a part of our collective memories, and is going to be redeveloped like much of the area surrounding it. Yes, we’re talking about Liang Court, the deep orange twin towers that overlook River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, and Singapore River, and once was home to the Japanese department store Daimaru and the bookshop Kinokuniya (remember that leopard painting that graced the display window?). Come join us as we say goodbye to Liang Court, which has stood at the corner of Clarke Quay for over 30 years.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/liang-court-site-integrated-development-700-hotel-residence-12113526

Also in the vicinity are 2 historic bridges: Ord Bridge and Read Bridge (https://lostnfiledsg.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/bridges-of-singapore-river/), and the childhood residence of one of our very own sketchers! Want to know who it is and what life was like back in the day when Clarke Quay was lined with godowns and the Singapore River was dirty and stinky and filled with bumboats? Come join us to find out!

ADVISORY:
In view of the recent COVID-19 situation, we would like to advise anyone with flu symptoms to stay home and rest. We will not be taking temperature or doing contact tracing so please take your own precautions and observe good personal hygiene. Thank you!

Here are a couple of ”advisory videos” from previous virus outbreaks:

Wash your hands too: https://youtu.be/lViRlo1_b1o

PCK SARS rap for SG: https://vimeo.com/268362161


START
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Corner of Clarke Quay opposite Liang Court
(https://goo.gl/maps/9Jnb4iMRewAU1Xn69)

END
Time: 12:15 PM
Location: Same as starting point
(https://goo.gl/maps/9Jnb4iMRewAU1Xn69)


Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NEL)


Locations to sketch:
- Fort Canning Hill
- Ord Bridge
- Read Bridge
- Clarke Quay
- Liang Court
- Old River Valley Swimming Complex

Places to eat and shop:
- Central Mall
- Clarke Quay
- Not sure if there are any tenants left in Liang Court itself
- Brewerks

Bring:
- Hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent if you’re heading up Fort Canning

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March Workshops by USKSG

Workshops taught by USKSG instructors!


We are happy to announce that USKSG will be conducting 10 urban sketching workshops at Overjoyed Art Store in March!

This series of workshops is part of a month-long collaborative effort between USKSG and Overjoyed, to promote the joy of urban sketching and to make art education available to people interested to get into sketching.
See details in link below.

Don't miss out the opportunity to be part of this and also feel free to join the many other fringe activities like Pop-Up store, an exhibition, culminating towards the big sketch walk at the end of the month!


https://www.overjoyed.xyz/shop/brand/workshops

January Sketchwalk at Chinatown

Credits: Sketch by Phyllis Chong

Happy New Year, everyone! For the first sketchwalk of 2020, we will be celebrating Chinese New Year a week early. Please note that this sketchwalk is NOT on the last Saturday of Jan. It is ONE WEEK EARLIER on 18 Jan because the following Saturday is Chinese New Year!

We will start our sketchwalk at one end of Maxwell Road (in Chinatown near the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple) and end at the other end, where Urban Sketchers Singapore is invited to a screening of a film Memories of Chinatown by Eric Lim and Filmat36 at 2:30pm at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.

There is lots to sketch along Maxwell Road. Around our starting point, you can have breakfast and sketch food at Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Maxwell Food Centre or Amoy Street Food Centre. Fairfield Methodist Church (once a cinema long long ago) and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple are nearby, as is the old rickshaw station Jinrikisha Station. Murray Terrace and Maxwell House are just across the road. If you prefer sketching in air-conditioned comfort, there's the URA City Gallery and Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop in URA building. You can get an elevated view of the old St Andrew's Mission Hospital behind Maxwell Food Centre (5 Kadayanallur Street) from URA building, or take your pick of charming shophouses along Erskine Road and Ann Siang Road. Further Southeast is what used to be the Red Dot Traffic Museum, now Maxwell Chambers Suites which, after its acquisition by the Ministry of Law, houses a variety of law-related services. Maxwell Chambers, which sits opposite Telok Ayer Park, is just across the road from Maxwell Chambers Suites. It used to be the old Customs House. Further down you will come by Capital Tower and its fountain with colourful spheres, and before you reach our show-and-tell destination at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, you will pass by the towering AXA Tower and Treasury Building, and Singapore Conference Hall, the home of our Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

Because our sketchwalk covers quite a stretch, please give yourselves time to walk from your location to reach our end point by 1215pm. There are no buses along Maxwell Road so wear some good shoes and take a leisurely stroll.

Do hang around after your lunch for the screening of Memories of Chinatown at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre at 2:30pm. In 2019, we had our sketchwalk at Asian Civilisations Museum where Filmat36 screened Memories of Singapore River, featuring various local artists and their works. Memories of Chinatown is their second film that brings our history through the art of our local artists. Let it inspire you!


START
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Kreta Ayer Square, staircase to L1 Chinatown Complex Food Centre
(https://goo.gl/maps/KoCz7NZcUtsSQDDTA)

END
Time: 12:15 PM
Location: Same as Starting Point

Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EWL), Chinatown (DTL)

Locations to sketch:
- Maxwell Road Food Centre
- Old St Andrew's Mission Hospital (https://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/2018/05/27/the-hospital-at-mount-erskine-and-what-may-now-be-singapores-oldest-lift/)
- Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
- Jinrikisha Station (https://remembersingapore.org/jinrikisha-station/)
- Fairfield Methodist Church (old Metropole Cinema - https://www.roots.sg/Content/Places/surveyed-sites/fairfield-methodist-church)
- Ann Siang Hill
- URA Building, City Gallery, Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop (https://danielfooddiary.com/2019/04/06/epigram/)
- Murray Terrace
- Maxwell Chambers Suites (https://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/2019/07/24/a-sneak-peek-at-maxwell-chambers-suites/)
- Maxwell Chambers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxwell_Chambers)
- Capital Tower Fountain
- Telok Ayer Park
- Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre rooftop
- etc.

Places to eat and shop:
- Maxwell Food Centre
- Chinatown Food Street
- Telok Ayer Food Centre
- Various cafes, restaurants and coffeeshops

Bring:
- Hat, sunscreen, good walking shoes, stool

December Sketchwalk at Singapore Botanic Garden

Credits: sketch by M. Friket Ercan

For the final sketchwalk of 2019, we are going to visit our only UNESCO Heritage Site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Since the last time we visited, there have been new developments, such as the Learning Forest. The area includes new trails, a treetop walk, and wetlands (http://www.cheekiemonkie.net/2017/06/Learning-Forest-Singapore-Botanic-Gardens-review.html). It’s in the middle of the gardens, behind the National Orchid Garden, closer to Holland Road. There is a car park nearby along Tyersall Avenue if you are driving, or it can be reached via a leisurely stroll from Holland Road or the MRT at Bukit Timah Road.

Go up the treetop walk and sit with the trees, or sketch the wetlands from the comfort of the shaded pavilion, or chill at the Halia restaurant as you enjoy this newer part of the gardens.

START
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Pavilion at Keppel Discovery Wetlands
(https://goo.gl/maps/fqVZ2NjwfUnZKS1z5)

END
Time: 12:15 PM
Location: Same as starting point
(https://goo.gl/maps/fqVZ2NjwfUnZKS1z5)

Nearest MRT: Botanic Gardens (Circle Line), Orchard Road (NSL)

Locations to sketch:
- Learning Forest
- Walk of Giants (https://www.littledayout.com/2017/04/03/7-things-know-sph-walk-of-giants-canopy-web/)
- Keppel Discovery Wetlands
- National Orchid Garden
- Ginger Garden
- Waterfall
- See map: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/-/media/sbg/documents/learning-forest-brochure-060319.jpg?la=en&hash=63E3620F03EBF63A54611998B10411541393AA00

Places to eat and shop:
- https://www.ladyironchef.com/tag/singapore-botanic-gardens-restaurants/

Bring:
- Hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent

Beauty World Sketchwalk 2019

Here's the video for last month's at Beauty World, Upper Bukit Timah Road