My Place of Serenity in Florence

           It was a pleasant discovery when my English student suggested to have our first lesson here, where she works. She needed English lessons to help her in her work as she comes into contact with the scores of tourists in Florence at the new outlet nearer the historic centre.

       After that first lesson, I found myself drawn to this place again and again. It is such a charming little shop, where customers can purchase tea, or drink tea at the little tables placed around. There is a great variety of tea; white, green, black and many tea fusions to offer the taste palette. The shop is situated in a very local section, where hardly tourists find their way. I hope it remains its tranquility though I did not do a very good job by bringing visiting friends to the shop.

       A perfect place to enjoy a leisure afternoon, in the company of friends or some self-reflection and quiet reading.

Fiesta delle Donne, Women's Day & Mimosas

             I first saw them in Alberobello, growing in his mom's garden. They were so lovely, brightening the bleak winter, the first signs of spring. My first knowledge of mimosas are little pink balls, and have compound leaves that close up upon your touch. In Chinese, also know as 含羞草（han xiu cao) or "sullen/shy/farouche grass".  I remember enjoy playing with them and watching them response to my touch as a child. Even now, it's simple pleasure to have this "interaction" with a plant.

              Here are what they look like in Italy (or perhaps Europe). I saw them in February and he had plucked them from the garden and adorned the house with it. I couldn't resist having him place in the pouch of his sweater. These yellow balls of lovelies are seen all over in Italy on 8 March, International Women's Day as ladies receive them from friends.

     

              It's funny that Women's Day falls on 8 March. Also know as 三八妇女节 (san ba fu nv jie),  "三八" (san ba) or literally the numbers three and eight in Mandarin. San ba is used to describe people who are nosy or loves to gossip. A stereotype description of women. I was wondering which came first and read up a little on the history of this day. The holiday was predominantly celebrated in communist and socialist countries. After the founding of the People's Republic of China on 1st October 1949, it was proclaimed that March 8 would be made an official holiday with women in China given a half-day off.

              In Florence, many museums and churches are open free of charge to women on International Women's Day. I used this privilege to enter Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, to look at some of the famous frescoes by Filippino Lippi, Ghirlandaio and Orcagna. It's Florence's principal Domenican church and faces the lovely piazza that bears the church's name.

            I love the façade of the church and the above was my second attempt at it, with a slightly different perspective including the sequence of avelli. This array of bichrome arches are the tombs of the church congregation, extending this image of burial at a sacred place to urban periphery.

    19 May 2012

              This was my first attempt of the façade back in May last year. It sparked my interest to learn more about it's architecture and history. The special feature are the ornate scrolls and this I discovered were to solve an geometry problem with something aesthetic. I was able to find more information from this site: http://arthistoryblogger.blogspot.it/2012/05/facade-of-santa-maria-novella.html

           I did a total of 5 sketches of Santa Maria Novella. The expanse of this church, it is impossible to view it in just one single angle. To completely "conquer" it, it was necessary for me to also capture it's side view, viewed from Piazza Unità d'Italia.

   16 June 2012

    04 May 2012
    First sketch of the avelli. 

     16 May 2012
    View behind the glass wall from the tourist centre in Florence near the main train station. I was able to enter on Women's Day to this area that was usually out of bounds to public.

A Mental Conquest

           Sketching is my method of conquesting something I cannot possess. After attempting the impression sketching in class, I realized what really made me enjoy sketching (especially ancient architecture) is the capturing of the details. Florence is so full of symbols, that nothing we observe is there by chance. They usually carry a deeper meaning than just merely an aesthetic function.

            The three great churches in Florence - Santa Maria del Fiore, Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce although very different in their façades, have one common feature. All are adorned with polychrome marble panels of white and green and have classical iconography and geometry. These architectural iconographies fit a rigorous overall geometry. Another church that fits into this category is San Miniato al Monte near Piazza Michelangelo.

              This is my first proper sketch in 2013. I started on a new job and for two consecutive days I get to see the beautiful façade of this church. I should have included the stairs leading to the church. It was the first comment given to me when I showed it to get another opinion. However, I think leaving some details out won't harm it and end up crowding the sketch. Piazza Santa Croce is one of the most visited squares in Florence. I witnessed scores of tour groups passing this square from the nine hours spent looking out. 

            Basilica of Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world. It has been very particular to me due to several reasons. The symbols it carries on its façade is perplexing; the most striking being the Jewish Star of David. That's because it's 19th century façade was designed by Jewish architecture Niccolo Matas from Ancona. The church is also known as the Temple of the Italian Glories (Tempio dell'Itale Glorie) as it is the burial place of the most illustrious Italians like Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and Rossini. There are two statues of Dante, one of the outside as well. Ironically, due to his Jewish background, Matas was not buried within its walls but under the porch. Yet, something so prominent to be displayed for centuries - the Star of David is allowed as the main composition of the neo-Gothic façade.

               Piazza Santa Croce, perhaps known informally as the "Square of Leather" to tourists, earned it's reputation from the genre of business surrounding it. All around the square and the streets leading to it are shops of leather products - bags, shoes, jackets, accessories. Florence is well-known for it's leather products, with Piazza Santa Croce as one of the most concentrated areas of leather shops.

Art Classes - Creativity shouldn't be taught. Only techniques.

First and foremost Happy 2013! I haven't meant to let such a thick layer of dust to collect on this blog, but many things had been happening all at once (great things) and I had to try to link them with sketches for updates. 

My first attempt to use a pencil for the whole sketch. I started right after Christmas of 2012, but never quite completed it. It is a wall that is part of the Roman ruins in Rome. Also the spot I lost my second pair of sunglasses in Italy. I used the sketching set that was a gift from lovely Melissa to encourage me to try different techniques.

My new term started rather confusingly. I had completed my 3 months summer course in Art Restoration and it was an intensive schedule. So I was expecting this one year course to be more or less the same, but I was wrong! Not informed till the last minute, I was quite confused when I received the timetable for the new term. Painting classes once a week? Hmm, ok, if it's included in the course and I do not have to pay extra (which seems the latest trend) why not? I mean art restoration require also knowing the techniques and process, which are essential for an all-rounded art conservator wannabe.

However, I am only expecting these classes to enhance my art restoration skills. Not having to purchase the whole palette of oil colours, scalpel, watercolour, canvas, entire sets of paintbrushes, cult pens, pastels. For once a week lessons. When I have the money and time to spare, yes. I'd definitely be interested.

Anyway, though the teacher is a "simpatico" elderly gentleman or in Italian means likeable and pleasant, I was rather disturbed for several months with this impromptu "Art Classes". Number one point, I am cheap. I do not wish to have to purchase a whole lot of materials for this less than one year and for perhaps just a few times use. I need to prioritize my funds. Which is why I chose to sketch leisurely by the way. Just paper and pen to take with me everywhere and that's it. So you can expect I wasn't that motivated. But I was obliged to go, and so decided to take things in my own hands. Since I like to sketch, why can't I request sketching lessons from the teacher?

Professor Simpatico was very nice of course and allowed me to do what I liked, but HIS way. My sketches had been all along self-taught. Previously lacking perspectives, light and shadow, but one feature is common. I tend to include all the minute details in the architecture. That was my objective when I started to sketch anyway. To "concur" the building is to know its every feature through sketching. Anyway, Professor wanted me to learn to sketch in just 5-10 min. That means, just an impression to capture the basic features that identifies that particular building. 

Here's after several attempts of Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio. I repeated it so many times and with lots of disapproval from Professor and this finally. He showed me by demonstrating how to do this part and that part of the sketch and for many times, I just stared blankly at the paper, not knowing how to start. Having used my left-brain almost my entire life until now, art classes are one of the most difficult classes ever!! After attending several, I have this feeling that art lessons curb creativity. Or are our ideas of "how to draw" too deeply imprinted in our adults minds, that we paint with my brain, not my eyes. 

Anyhow, I often felt that descriptions of contemporary art often do not make sense. The person viewing often have to understand the process of the artist's mind before understanding the art. So art classes do not make sense to me. Unless I am being taught a technique. How to properly handle a brush, how to do glazing, how to apply varnish etc. Else, I often stare at the piece of paper, trying to connect what the teacher just said with my hand movements. After that, the person should be left on their own to be creative. Creativity should not be taught.

Another attempt at impression sketching on Ponte Vecchio. I did this under 30 minutes as compared to the previous one I did in several hours. I tried. I still prefer to capture all the detailed features. As one of my friend Laura told me when I first started sketching "Chloe, don't let others tell you how to sketch. Do it your own way".

Christmas in Florence

Pandoro & Panetonne

                For this Christmas in Italy, I had many firsts.
1) Pandoro, a traditional cake in Italy in the shape of a star.  It is a very tall cake, and we sprinkle icing sugar and shake the cake in the bag to make it look like snowing.

2) Panetonne. With the supermarket shelves displaying all those festive pastries, I absolutely have to try the panetonne. Another tall Christmas breadloaf, traditionally with raisins and canditi (candy crystals). Both are not my favourites in a confection, so I chose the Panetonne from Verona, an adapted version with just chocolate chips and almonds. Che buono! (How delicious in Italian)

3) Roasted the first chicken of my life. Hmmm, it turned out pretty good! Crispy and well-cooked, yet juicy and succulent. That's with the help of googling the simplest recipe I can find and innovating a little.

4) Made my first successful tiramisù after my 6th attempt. That mascarpone turned out well! Whipping that egg white without an electric beater was no feeble effort, my arms ached the next day after all the action. It was the combine effort with my flatmates and we had fun crushing that amaretti, taking turns at whipping and layering the tiramisù. When it was time to check out the results of the previous day efforts, I was almost in tears. At last! There was no drenching of the savoiardi (pastry of ladys' fingers) with excess coffee or insufficiently beaten eggs at the bottom of the tray. In my previous attempts, there were always a puddle at the bottom of the container. The recipe was from a friend from Verona and it was well-received by everyone from Japan to Nigeria to Sudan, not to mention my folks from Singapore and even Italians from other regions. So kudos to my Veronese friend's mom, who so generously shared the recipe.

            There is still one major thing not yet fulfilled. Seeing my first snowfall and having my first walk in the snow.  Building my first snowman, having my first snowball fight. Skiing on my first snow slope, or skating on a real frozen pond. Anyway, like many things, if it's meant to be, it's meant to be.


Façade, Bell Tower, Baptistry and Dome

           "Il Duomo" is the Italian word for the main cathedral of a city. So every Italian city has a Duomo. There's also the Duomo of Milan, Duomo of Siena and the Duomo of Naples just to name a few. This is my 6th and 7th sketch of the Duomo of Florence and also the only ones that I kept. The main architectural features of most cathedral or churches in Italy are: the dome, bell tower, façade and baptistry. Sometimes the smaller churches do not have a separate baptistry and not all will have a large dome.

           The Italian words for the features are:

1) dome = cupola

2) bell tower = campanile (bell = campana)

3) façade = facciata

4) baptistery = battistero. 

         Several names in the Italian Renaissance period or earlier are associated with the Duomo of Florence. The Florence cathedral is named Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, or Basilica of Saint Mary of the flower. The huge dome is commonly known as Brunelleschi's Dome as the city waited for years before a genius like Brunelleschi emerged to have the intellectual capability to architect the great dome. Giotto's bell tower as seen from the second sketch below. Usually cathedrals or churches are named according to the patron saint. The patron saint of Florence is St John the Baptist, hence the unique octagonal building of the baptistery is the Baptistry of Saint John. Here's the view of the cathedral showing part of the dome from the north side.

               There is one angle, towards the west side of the Piazza del Duomo where one can fit all 3 buildings in one single shot of the camera. It's just the eyes get too busy all at once, as they are presented with so many details. Here, the bell tower is situated right in the middle with the octagonal baptistry on the right, and the main façade of the cathedral on its left. Known as Giotto's bell tower, as he devoted himself to its design and construction after the death of his predecessor Arnolfo di Cambio.

               I did not wish to crowd the sketch, so I attempted the bell tower with pencil instead of the usual ball-point pen to give it a lighter shade. Drawing is really the best way to appreciate every detail of these Florence icons. I get to examine closely each tile of the cathedral, the number of sides of the polygon of the bell tower's buttresses, the rigid geometry of the Romanesque style of the baptistery.

                We went for the mid-night mass at the Florence cathedral. The streets were rather quiet, but it seemed like the whole city had crowded in silence in one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. I could see nothing, only hear the chanting. As I looked up at the high ceilings, I wondered at all those that have stood under them over the centuries, silent witnesses to the changes over the generations.

Markets in Florence

          There are several market places in Florence that I get to pass through frequently. 

                Starting from Piazza di Madonna degli Aldobrandini, towards the Medici Chapel, here's the view of Basilica di San Lorenzo from under the tentages of San Lorenzo market set up around it's premises. Though they look like temporary tentages set up like the local basar malam (meaning "night market" in the Malay language) back in Singapore, the prices of Italian leather goods are not "basar malam" kind of prices at all. 

      

           Here's the facade of the Basilica, when we follow the market till it leads us to another square - Piazza San Lorenzo in front of the Basilica.

           Apart from getting a pair of leather gloves and bringing friends who visited Florence to the market, I seldom stopped to look too long at the wares that are sold. I've looked yes, several times tempted to get that summer hat, or the fashionable scarf, or that cool leather bag, but I think I have learned to differentiate stuff that are essential to have from stuff that are nice to have. Well, besides going back to the frugal life of a student, I prefer to prioritize my finances for visiting museums and traveling. I am also learning how to be more mobile - two luggage is all I am limiting my possessions to. 

          Here's another marketplace - Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, or meaning "new market". This name is to distinguish it from "Mercato Vecchio" or "old market" previously located at today's Piazza della Repubblica. Unfortunately, the glory of Mercato Vecchio" can only be seen from the paintings. Leather goods and souvenirs can be found in this loggia and at the other side, a famous statue of a bronze boar is placed. Its snot is gleaming due to all the rubbing from the visitors as it is believe to bring good luck. People also place a coin in its mouth and if it slops down into the "wishing well" at the bottom of it, it's a sign of good luck as the coin do not always land into the water below.

            I was more fascinated by the columns, capitals and arches when I first saw it. That was before I realize those are the common features in Roman architecture found all throughout Florence. Nevertheless the loggia, and the complicated branching of arches from all four direction at the top of the columns post as an interesting perspective.

          

Rome - twice n thrice

         I have been to Rome for the second and third time. Hopefully many more. Every visit I threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, so I hope my wishes can come true.

         The Vatican city was in my agenda the last two visits. Also a thorough visit at the Pantheon. The best preserved Roman architecture, the magnificent dome reminded me of inverted chocolates. Well, coffered ceilings do remind me of inverted chocolate bars, or rather the molds from which they are made.

            I loved the way shadow are made on the square patterns when light enters from the oculus. It is also where Brunelleschi drew inspiration before he devised a way to architecture the Dome of Florence.

           As a little exercise for my Italian learning, I decided to write a little paragraph on my thoughts of the dome of the Pantheon:

"Il Soffitto del Pantheon, Roma
Sono andata al Pantheon due volte. Ogni volta, il soffitto a cassettoni sempre mi sbalordisce. L'ombra, quando la luce entra attraverso l'oculo è bellissima. Il monumento meglio conservato delle architetture Romane, il Pantheon è dove Brunelleschi ha raggiunto l'inspirazione per la cupola di Firenze."

          The grammar wasn't perfect, but I was pretty happy with the new vocabulary I had acquired and quite minimal corrections. With some help of course.

            When I first saw the dome of the Pantheon, I wanted to possess it. Possess it by capturing it in my sketch. I had a great time doing that ceiling. I looked really closely at the photograph to observe where the light and dark areas are.

            Here's the Colosseo from another angle. It's not a spelling error. It's "Il Colosseo" in Italian, I prefer to keep its name in the native language.

              I always try to find the end when I see something round or elliptical. We were walking around the Colosseo from one "end" until we came back to the same point. I liked seeing the "end" or "beginning" of it. There was a strike that day, so the monument was close to visitors.  Several tourists were standing there and just staring at the notice, not able to believe their luck for flying miles to see it and not able to. Well, it's Italy! See some pissed off visitor who wrote their piece of mind at the bottom right hand corner?

Our Voyage of Life

10 Nov 2012

I have been really tired lately. Today, I returned home finally after a long and trying day, exhausted and feeling slightly discouraged for feeling grumpy and having just snapped at someone I cared about. In my own sanctuary, the first thing I saw on Facebook today was a post by our Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you Be strong and courageous?

  Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God

  will be with you wherever you go"

This reminded me of something I read a few days ago about a series of 4 paintings that depicts stages of a man's life as a Christian allegory in a Romantic backdrop:

The Voyage of Life by Thomas Cole
http://www.explorethomascole.org/tour/items/73

#1 Childhood. The baby emerges from the dark canal and begins his new life. The water is calm and smooth, the surroundings innocent and peaceful. The boy’s guardian angel grasps the tiller and controls the boat.

#2 Youth. The water is still smooth, the surroundings still peaceful and lush. But now the angel leaves the boy, who eagerly takes the tiller himself and sets off on his own towards his lofty dreams and ambitions. It is hard to tell from this image of the painting, but around the bend of the river the water begins to get choppy and rough; journeying to the castle of his dreams will not be as easy as it now seems.

#3 Manhood. The boy is now a man. The vegetation is no longer around; the waters are choppy; the skies have darkened. The tiller of the boat is gone; the man is no longer entirely in control, and he prays for help. The angel still watches over him, but now from afar. The man cannot see the angel and must have faith that she is there. Cole wanted to convey the way the dreams and idealism of youth crash into the “realities of the world.” The ocean symbolizes the end of the man’s life; he can begin to see it, and the warmth of the sunset hints of hope in the midst of his trials.

 

#4 Old Age. The man is now old and the angel returns to his side. His boat has made it to the ocean. The waters are calm once again. The light is breaking through the dark clouds. The man’s faith has sustained him throughout the trials of life and now the beauty of eternity stretches out before him. 

               Most of us are probably at the stage of Manhood  now, where we have to constantly remind ourselves, that God's angel is watching us from afar and we should always trust in Him and have faith that He will bring as through the trials and challenges.

Un Conversazione con Signor Pietro (A Conversation with Signor Pietro)

Un conversazione con Pietro, il padre di un amico.
Agosto, Verona
 
Buon giorno Signor Pietro! Hai dormito bene?
Sì, grazie! È tu?
Bene, grazie! Che cosa fai, oggi?
(Signor Pietro ha pensato per un momento... seriamente)

Ha risposto, felicemente: Niente!
Un momento di silenzio... perché non ho mai visto qualcuno che è così felice per non fare nulla.
Ho letto prima, quindi ho detto: DOLCE FAR NIENTE!

 Lui era molte felice. Finalmente, qualcuno dice è bravo per non fare niente!

***********************************************************************************

A conversation with Pietro, my friend's father
August, Verona

Good morning Signor Pietro! Did you sleep well?
Yes, thank you. Did you?
Yes, thank you. What are you doing today?
(Signor Pietro thinks for a moment....seriously.)
Then brightens up and answers: Niente!
One moment of awkward silence as I have never come across someone who is so happy that he has nothing to do that day.
Then I remembered reading something. So I replied brightly "DOLCE FAR NIENTE!" (It's sweet to do nothing, an Italian old saying)
And Signor Pietro beams happily for someone supporting his "doing-nothingness"

FLORENCE in Autumn

14.10.2012

                     I am rather sad that summer is over, although Florence has scorching summers due to it lying in a basin of a river valley with surrounding hills . It just means my time here in this beautiful place is shorter. Now's the season for chestnuts or "castagna". The Florentines call them "marroni" which means brown. I am waiting for the pretty autumn colours, but also glad that the deciduous leaves are taking their time to change. I like how I can observe the gradual change, the tops leaves turning from green to orange first. It's the same feeling like you anticipate your child to grow up, but hoping that the process won't be too fast.

               This is another view of Ponte Vecchio, from Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli. It's a narrow lane with pretty heavy traffic and lots of pedestrians. The shops along this sunny stretch of road boasts of the view of River Arno. There are many tourists shops, shops selling leather goods and a couple of café. They charge extra for sitting at a table, so if you do not wish to pay extra yet enjoy the view, have a takeaway coffee and stand along here.

                  This place is somewhat special to me due to the acquaintances I have. I like to visit my friend Michele occassionally, the one who owns a Enoteca just one lane behind at Borgo S.S Apostoli. Just a few shops down, is an artist, Signor Pasquale Naccarato. His charming little studio hangs his works with reproduction of paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, Vermeer and many more. 

His little pet pigeon is also named Caravaggio and he sometimes croons when there are visitors. Pasquale just spent some precious time going through my sketches yesterday afternoon, giving me his advise and the direction I should go. I really appreciate his warmth and his time. He is one of the fortunate people that can turn his passion into a career. Of course, he is very talented as he is self-taught in his oil technique.

http://www.ildipinto.com/

12.10.2012 

                 This is the sight that greets me every morning. The view from the kitchen of the apartment I rent in Florence. The surrounding apartments, part of the marquee in my neighbor's garden is visible, the metal structure that allows creeping plants to grow and makes sort of a little canopy. The little weird stump in the backyard with the laundry line wrapped around.  

FLORENCE - once more

26.09.2012

                 September is a month of changes. I got into a relationship, I made some new decisions and I met many interesting people. I made some new friends, Anna, Taka and Chinwe. In September, I said hi to Anna and Chinwe. In September, I said bye to Anna and Chinwe. Dear dear Chinwe. She made Florence in the month of September a little more than heaven for me and we really bonded. I'm not sure why this seems to be the only picture we took together in the month we spent together. It's not the best of us, I was having some fun with her plaits and we were fooling around with Anna and Taka in Piazza Santa Maria Novella.  Chinwe or "Chi Chi" brought me so much laughter in September and we shared so much together. The best I could offer her as a farewell gift is my lifelong friendship and a sketch of the Duomo from the Oblate.

         This sketch of the Duomo and Campanile was a great view from the Oblate. http://www.bibliotecadelleoblate.it/

                  It is the public library with a really nice environment. My first official visit to it was to study my Italian, but needless to say, I got seduced by the view and got this instead. It took me 2.5 hours to complete the sketch.

17.09.2012

                 The Basilica di Santa Croce, or the Baptistery of the Holy Cross from the grand cloister. The sides of the stone wall, showing slightly the Gothic marble façade. Not so sure what you call those things sticking up. Spires? Well then two of the spires are shown from this side.  It is the burial place of the most illustrious Italians - Dante, Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, just to name a few. Also known as Temple of the Italian Glories (Tempio dell'Itale Glorie).
                  
                    Dom and I visited it in mid September, but I only had time to catch up with it now. The frescoes and sculptures in this church is amazing. I have run out of adjectives to describe my every visit to a church or museum. It just never fails to awe me, no matter how many times I see a fresco or a sculpture.


September/October 2012

           Gosh, I have never heard of people complaining about travelling. At least not when they are travelling for pleasure. But it had been such a crazy few weeks and lagging behind with my work I can't wait to get back to "routine" life in Florence and start working my ass off.

           But nothing, no matter how much work I have will stop me from pursuing my passion. So here's returning my sketchbook and pen on Florence once again.

            This is my second attempt of doing a full page of my sketchbook 21 x 29.7cm, of one of my favourite sites in Florence: on Ponte Vecchio. I tried to capture the folds in the fabric on the canopies outside the shops and as usual portray people in silhouettes.

PORTRAITS

30 August 2012

            I had refrained from trying portraits for a long time. I think drawing people and animals are more challenging. It's not just the issue of perspective, they have got to resemble the person in question.

 

            I was inspired by a friend's quick portrait and wondered if I could maybe just try. My first one made my object looked like a madman and not publishable!

          Again, I attempted on a flight, choosing Robert D. Junior. I tried several on my family members and had intended to do a family portrait of my external family. Project stalled! I am in no way close to getting any resemblance. I did all these on the flight, on the way back to Europe.

I think Robert D. Junior was my best attempt at capturing the features and expression. 

Leonardo will probably not be very happy seeing this...

Oh! Apologies Carrie, I didn't to mean to bring you agony...

What happened to Cruise's charming eyes???

Johnny Depp's suspicious expression was not well portrayed.

Ah....this look more like caricature of me than a portrait!

OUTside Italy

            I did decide I wanted to just focus my sketches on Italy. But at times I just get seduced. It is so much more amazing to sketch outdoors, looking at the actual thing. I also get to interact with more people who are usually curious and they stop to watch.

13.08.2012

            I could not resist seeing what I can get out of the windmill when I visited Kinderdijk. Sitting in the gentle breeze and warm sunshine after a light drizzle, it was such a joy taking a good spot and capturing it on pen and paper. The Italians are truly in tuned with art. Even outside Italy, the groups of people who stop to watch me were mostly Italians. So there was this Italian family and we were having a jovial conversation and one of them asked if they can take a look at my sketchbook. They realized most of my sketches are about Florence and asked why I didn't draw any monuments of Japan. Well, that's because I'm not Japanese. Then the gentleman asked... ah, where am I from. Singapore. Ah, isn't Singapore part of Japan? No, Signore. Japan is up north. Singapore is far away lying on the equator. Nevertheless, it was interesting interacting with different people, telling them a little about my world and learning more about theirs. I finally finished after 2 hours.

14.08.2012

           Amsterdam is not just about prostitutes and smoking pot. It is a much much more sophisticated city. It boasts of many world class museums. I had only a day in Amsterdam, so I chose the Rijksmuseum over the Van Gogh museum. I had such a wonderful few hours admiring the works of Flemish artists in the Golden Age. Works of Vermeer and Rembrandt. Their ability to capture light and shadow with the oil technique. I never knew I could be so mesmerized by a still-life painting of objects like dinnerware. Each object is reflected into another - a glass jar, pewterware. The lustre and the reflection is captured to such details it seemed like I was looking at a photograph.

www.rijksmuseum.nl

         Before I ventured into the museum, of course I needed my afternoon coffee. I was sitting in the cafe, a real coffeeshop, not the famed ones in Amsterdam where people smoke pot and this was the scene that greeted me. The historical Dutch houses along the canal. My coffee break took 1.5 hours before I completed this.

05.10.2012

              I made it to Switzerland finally. My plans were deterred in August when I had to return home due to emergency. In October, I was having some trouble getting train tickets due to my bad habit of doing things at the last minute. But I finally made it to Engelberg (after a stressful trip of having to change four trains from Florence to Milan to Arth-Goldau to Lucern and finally Engelberg) and able to grace a good friend's wedding. Such a perfect place for such a beautiful occasion. Of course, I cannot resisit taking this traditional Swiss house down in my sketch book, surrounded by the crisp autumn air, majestic alps and the dingling of cowbells.

              So I was honoured to witness the holy matrimony of my good friend Peiling and Martin. I was also really pleased to have the chance to contribute a little to this happy occasion. They asked if I could prepare the guest book for them by drawing their silhouettes with the mountains at Engelberg as the backdrop. They got the idea from http://www.etsy.com/listing/74660916/custom-silhouette-wedding-guest-book

                I think it's really brilliant, and special for the couple that the guests leave their imprints on their big day. But Peiling's idea was more brilliant, to customize the background to a place that means so much to her and Martin. And it's all hand-drawn! From everything to the words. At first we weren't so sure how to make the balloons fit into the landscape. Should we have them flying around the air? Should we change into hot-air balloons? etc. But it helps that Peiling always have a clear idea what she wants.

                Here's what it looks before the guests left their fingerprints. It was the first time I used a brown sketch pencil, and first time I tried sketching landscapes. I was thinking of how I could try achieving different texture of the pastures, the rocks, the snow capped tops. But I guess it will take a bit of imagination my someone looking at my sketch. Most importantly, the couple is the main objective, and I hope I was able to capture the characteristics of Peiling and Martin here. Peiling's was easier with her ponytail. Martin was a little more challenging. But if they could see it as themselves, that's what matters.  And so I guarded this with my life until I reached Engelberg and handed it safely into Peiling's hands.

            Here's the finished product, hanging in the newly-weds home! I selected a font named "Snell Roundhand Black" from Microsoft Word and drew it accordingly.

VENETO - Northern Italy

August 2012

         August was a month of travels as it is summer. Most Italians take a vacation during this summer month and most school and offices are closed. I had planned to go several places visiting friends residing in different parts of Europe.

         I travelled for a few days in Prague. The amount of diverse architecture there is just astounding! It is impossible for me to catch up with sketching Prague, so I did the best - I do not sketch at all. Haha! Well, I will prefer to focus on Italy.

       I reached Prague through Venice, so I thought it might be a good idea staying in North Italy rather than catching a train back to Florence before heading to The Netherlands. I was fortunate to find willing hosts in Padova and Verona. I spent half a day in Venice, with the company of a very generous friend Ale who picked me up from the airport and took me around Venice.

05.08.2012

            Venice is too beautiful not to take home some sketches with me. There is still so much I wanted to sketch on Venice and half a day is not sufficient to see this amazing place. So to Venice from me now, just Ponte Rialto, which reminded me so much of Ponte Vecchio back in Florence.

06.08.2012

How could I have missed one of Giotto's masterpieces? Padova is the home to the fresco Last Judgement by Giotto. It is located in the Cappella degli Scrovegni, also known as the Arena Chapel. During my short stay in Padova, I only managed to see the Prato della Valle and the two churches in my sketches below:

          I reached Padova, my second stop in the region of Veneto to meet my wonderful host Francesca. That was the first time we met, after chatting on Skype once. I realized the characteristic of the two main churches in Padova are the many domes in pale blue. I sketched this Basilica di Sant'Antonio on the spot and presented it to Francesca, in return for her kind hospitality. Saint Anthony is also the patron saint of Padova, though born in Portugal, he died in Italy and this is where he rests.

            This was where I sat for about 3 hours to capture the church before entering to admire its glory. It is also here that I got acquainted with Martina and Maria, two lovely girls from Salerno who stayed abit to watch me sketch.

             I sketched another main church of Padova, Monastero di Santa Giustina. It is just a small distance away from Basilica di Sant'Antonio. For this of Monastero di Santa Giustina, I tried using a different technique. I used fine horizontal lines to define the edges. I was trying to display different textures on the brick wall from the tiled roof.

          There is such a stark difference in the interiors of both churches. While Basilica di Sant'Antonio is covered with frescoes and marbles, Monastero di Santa Giustina has a much simpler interior. Nevertheless it has a vast collection of paintings and sculptures that are also valuable. 

        

           This is the beauty of simplicity inside the Monastero di Santa Giustina. I also omitted all other details as I only wanted to focus on the design of the dome interior.

07.08.2012

            My next stop in the region of Veneto is Verona, which I have longed heard of ever since I met my old friend Federico. It's unfair that some places just have everything - the beauty of the mountains and lake from nature, beauty of monuments from men. That's what Verona offers.

             Here's Scala della Ragione, I love this perspective as well as the shadow made on the adjacent wall and the steps. However, if I am to improve on this, I will highlight only the staircase, which is the main focus of this sketch. I will darken the stairs and sketch the rest of the structure in lighter tones.

           The last I took with me is Juliet's Balcony, perhaps the most visited place in Verona. I could not get within a metre of the bronze Juliet, not to mention the balcony. Well, I didn't want to join the crowd or harrass Juliet. I was happy to catch a glimpse of her, knowing she's doing alright and her balcony is well-kept and still standing.

        It's true that people are most productive during troubled times. Just like the birth of the Renaissance was at its height in the midst of political turmoil in Italy before her unity. Apart from the first sketch of Basilica di Sant'Antonio, all the others here were sketched looking at photos I took on my trip. I was back home in Singapore for about two weeks as dad was sick and hospitalized. After he was discharged, I stayed at home most of the time just to spend some time with him. I was thankful I could be back in such times.

SIENA

14.07.2012         

               It was Akiko's last day in Florence as she continued her quest around Italy to conquer the Italian cuisine. I hadn't been to Siena and it will be great to send her off to Siena.

               I had my first osso bucco in Siena, which means "bone with a hole". It refers to the bone marrow in a cross-cut veal shank. This one we had was cooked with a saffron sauce.

               It was fun wandering and getting lost in the little alleys around Siena and I love capturing quiet scenes of a place. This is a residential alley in Siena. It was so peaceful and pretty with the potted plants lined up along the alley.

        

           The Cathedrale of Siena with its distinct black and white bands of marble. They never got round to completing the new façade shown on the bottom right of the sketch due to the plague known as The Black Death that hit Europe in the 14th century.

 

           We were overlooking the landscape of Siena from this little hill. I wanted to try capturing the different textures of vegetation and also to present the houses with just simple strokes rather than always going into the details. I was not able to give light and shadow to this landscape as it was covered with ample sunlight.

              One of the most famous piazza and building of Siena - Palazzo Pubblico with Torre del Mangia at Piazza del Campo. It means "Tower of the Eater", its name derives from its first guardian, Giovanni di Balduccio, nicknamed Mangiaguadagni for his tendency to spend all his money on food. This piazza is so spacious and surrounded by buildings, that part of it will be in the shade depending on the sun's position. Akiko and I sat in the piazza for an afternoon coffee.