Sketching Manila Monuments this Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011

We start our monument sketching project by sketching some of the statues of the old walled city of Intramuros. Please make sure to bring much needed water, sun protection and only essentials.

Sketch Result of last September 24 at the National Museum

Another fun-filled sketching session has concluded at the National Art Gallery of National Museum. The building originally  housed the Philippine Republic's congress assembly. The architecture is of neo-classical in the 1930s. It was severely damaged during WWII but was restored later on. It is going through as major rehabilitation, and the entrance fee was waved during regular weekdays.

There were some 15 sketchers who attended, including 6-year-old Ampao. Burt volunteered to video record during the session and has ploaded the final cut on Youtube. Here is the link:

USk-PH sketches the National Museum Video

Carlo's stair sketch

Cesar's sketch of the old Congress Hall

Cesar's sketch of the side of the hall

Buz likes catches the magic of ordinary things and people

Janeil's neck-stretching 180 degree sketch of the old Congress Hall

Sketching National Art Gallery on Saturday, September 24, 2011

Metropolitan Theatre

On a warm Sunday morning, 4 Sept, I sketched at the classic Art Deco Metropolitan Theatre, which I'd been eyeing for several months, as a potential subject. As Manila folks know, it's closed now, and the weather conditions & harsh environment are beginning to take its' toll on the building, in the forms of fungus, garbage & some broken windows. The front of the Theatre was in full sun, so I found a shady view off to one side of the building, and sketched for 2 hours, while a number of street vendors & passers-by periodically watched and asked me questions.

Urban Sketching Manila Water Fountains

I only have been sketching with a serious sketchbook only a year ago. With only four months worth of sketching I wrote to BluPrint (via an architect teacher colleague who is a contributor) with some of my on-location drawings as samples of some topics I was suggesting for the magazine could cover. The managing editor wrote back and asked me if I could write them. And so this is how I started writing for the publication, with the sketches of water fountains around Metro Manila.

The article came out April 2011, and it was Buz who  wrote to me about the possibility of setting up an Urban Sketchers Philippines group. We invited a bunch of people who might be interested for our first ever meeting that mid-April. Only 3 of us - Ryan, Buz and I were able to meet. We had soon requested for the privilege of the official USk Philippines group.

Urban Sketchers' manifesto works for all and not just for serious artists. It gives anyone a chance to see the world through sketching; and the result is not so important - the process is valued more. An upcoming BluPrint issue in October will feature some USk Philippines members' sketches on the topic of Travel Sketching.

Sketching Result of August 20, 2011 of Paco Park

Paco Park Entrance by Buz Walker-Teach

Carlo Martinez' sketch of the Front Arch

Eileen Escueta's sketch of the chapel

Noel Amano the archaeologist's sketch of the chapel

Janeil Arlegui's watercolor impression of the chapel of Paco Park

A great turnout so far for the Urban Sketchers of the Philippines. There was close to 20 people of various professionals and students who came and joined to sketch Paco National Park. We had a lawyer, a science teacher, archaeologist, art teacher, architects, students and house wives who were keen on seeing and experiencing through sketching. Special thanks to Architect Augusto Villalon and NPDC Executive Director Jett Villegas for the free entrance and snacks for this event.

Cesar's pencil sketch of the curving walls with niches, behind the front entrance. It used to be a cemetery.

Sketching Paco Park on August 20, 2011