Sketching Shophouses

Shophouses are my favourite sketching and painting subjects. The key reason, they are part of Singapore's historical heritage. Preservation of shophouses has been carried out since the 80s but a large portion of these shophouses were demolished due to safety factor and urban development. It is our "duty" as a sketcher to preserve our heritage and our history by visually documenting things that face the possibility of disappearance one day.  Besides it is a joy to sketch these buildings as each location offers a different sentiment, sensibility and architectural flavour that links our present to the past. 

Chinatown

Chinatown

Little India

Emerald Hill Road

Kampong Glam

These are some sketches and drawings done on location from different locations. Before I sketch or paint, I would identify the medium and technique that best suits the flavour of the place or even the story that I want to tell. Most were done quickly and the spontaneity of the response provides a result that is less constructed and planned. I seldom repeat what has been used before but would explore different approaches in each visit. I could draw the same building from the same angle with different results. Thats the fun and joy I derived from urban-sketching.

Kampong Glam Sketchwalk April 2012

Weather was great! Turn out was good. The results, astoundingly and amazingly awesome!!

101010 sketch

Yesterday was 101010 and too bad this sketch was not done at 1010 hour. This is the junction of East Coast Road and Sea Ave. Weather was really hot outside so I did this in the comfort of the air conditioned car. The road was narrow and traffic was heavy. I also did it with my sun glasses on as I could not stand the outdoor glare.

The shophouses along this stretch of road are still very attractive although some shophouses have been renovated with big signs on the facade covering the beautiful second storey french windows. Some roofs are also not properly done with just a layer of bitumen felt roofing laid with timber battens over to weigh it down. The church in this sketch is Church of the Holy Family.