Hong Kong had its first good downpour yesterday. There was also a fair amount of lightning and thunder rolling through Big Wave Bay’s small valley. So when I got up to draw this morning I wasn’t surprised that it was very humid. Someone once mentioned to me that I tend to perspire a lot. But I say that’s just condensation. I’m actually very cool. 😉
But as the first thunderstorm marks the warming weather, so does the fly netting covering the meat at the wet market. And that’s where I drew today’s picture; the street market in Wan Chai. I have always like the character of Wan Chai House here on Wan Chai Street. It has aged and developed it’s own personality as owners have replaced, repaired or bricked in their windows. The street itself is saturated with meat and fruit markets, and large lorries form a continuous chain of deliveries. The noise level is well above anything considered safe as hawkers yell over the insistent horn honking, diesel engines and construction work. But, nothing makes you feel more alive than sitting next to a man butchering pigs or slaughtering chickens. Think I’ll go get a fresh mango juice from my favorite fruit vendor across the street. :p slurp……
I know this place, a busy street market. I went there frequently last year as I had my placement in St. James Settlement. Have you ever drawn a picture of the “Blue House”, which is very close to this market?
Hi Andy, I have drawn the Blue House. Click here to see:
http://johnhobbie.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/the-blue-house-wan-chai-drawing/
You can also click on the “enlarge map” link under the google map and see everywhere I’ve been.
oh thanks! I like it, I like the taste of “raw” and natural of this kind of sketching. And let me know that function of google map as well!
I tried to imitate a small part of your Sau Kei Wan picture, esp. the building and the tree. So difficult! haa, I know this must involve a lot of sketching skills and esp. on the use of lines! Isn’t it?
Hi Andy, I didn’t realize you like to draw too. The style I use when drawing comes from copying 2 Hong Kong artists: Kong Kai Ming (江啟明) and Mui Chong Ki (梅創基). Their books are available at the Hong Kong Library. I studied their drawings to learn this Eastern style using “calligraphic” line, a Zen form of thinking were the “the line is the thing”. Western style is more about shapes, not line. And remember: You are not drawing what you see, you are drawing your feelings about what you see. So trust yourself and keep drawing! You will only get better!
Haha actually I know nth on drawing! I didn’t study any art or drawing skills. I saw these pictures and then just wanted to have a try myself~ I’ll take a look on those artists, thanks! 🙂