Kwun Tong Waterfront Fly-over 觀塘海濱天橋

The fly-overs are intriguing objects in the urban landscapes. They are huge, bulky, rigid and yet often curvy. This huge fly-over which is a highway built on water along the Kwun Tong Waterfront serves well to frame the cluster of buildings on the left.

The Hong Kong Skyline, the Cruise Terminal and the Underprivileged 維港、遊輪碼頭與貧困

The hazy Hong Kong Skyline, the underused Cruise Terminal and the Street Sleeper’s home at a Public Pier in this area. In the foreground on the left, several street sleepers put together their home using wooden and paper boxes, thrown away plastic boxes, nylon sheets and whatever materials they could find.

Hong Kong Marching for Universal Suffrage

Lots of Hongkongers gathered at Chater Garden with many carrying the US flags, chanting slogans and marching to the US Consulate (8 September) to ask the United States to support Hong Kong in fighting for universal suffrage, democracy and autonomy by passing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.

Hong Kong Bird Series 香港雀鳥系列

I have always found the birds around me fascinating and painting these birds is an interesting journey. With a little bit of research along the way and the advice from friends who are birds and wildlife photographers, I have learnt a bit more about these lovely native Hong Kong birds. Stay tuned! More is coming in my upcoming solo exhibition!

Drink and Draw at Amstelhoeck, Amsterdam

Another sketch scanned. Sketchers gathered at Amstelhoeck in the evening to drink and draw. Faces were painted orange and red by the orangy lights in the cafe as Amsterdam was ready to turn to night. #urbansketchers #uskhk #usknetherlands #usksymposium2019

Canal by Westerkerk, Amsterdam

It has been a while since my last post here. I have been travelling in Netherlands and the UK in late July and August.  Now it's time to post again. This is the first sketch I did in the sketchwalk in the 2019 Netherlands Urban Sketchers Symposium. The beautiful canal by Westerkerk was filled with merry sketchers and the excellent weather brightened up the scene.

Defending Hong Kong's Sovereignty 香港憲法保衛

After a million Hongkongers took to the street on 9 June and the following bloody Wednesday standoff, Carrie Lam, the head of Hong Kong, who is not elected by the people of Hong Kong but a puppet put in office by PRC China, announced that she will ‘suspend’ the controversial extradition bill. However the people of Hong Kong want a complete withdrawal of the bill. Two million Hongkongers, a quarter of the population of Hong Kong, took to the street again on 16 June to say no to the PRC China-Controlled Hong Kong Government. Why so many took to the street? It's because to block the passing of the proposed extradition bill is not just an act to ensure the safety of every Hong Kong citizen, it's also an act to defend our own constitution and sovereignty. 

Sketching Tai Hang West Estate 大坑西新邨

Sketching Tai Hang West Estate with Urban Sketchers Hong Kong. One of the oldest private housing estates in Hong Kong. I really like the structures of the buildings. In order to capture the essence of the estate, I put together a collage sketch.

Toji Temple, Kyoto 京都東寺

I sat near the gate of Toji Temple which is quite close to the ancient five-storey pagoda. The pagoda is said to be the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan. I really like the plain old wood of the structure. The surrounding foliage framed the pagoda well. I made the initial sketch and put on the first layer of watercolour on site then I went inside a nearby cafe which had views of the pagoda to finish the sketch.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery 萬彿寺

This is the second sketch I did at Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Hong Kong. I walked up the hill and reached the end of the monastery. A statue of a white meditating Buddha sat in front of a waterfall. The water passed around it and under a bridge and cascaded down the slope. In front of the white Buddha, there was another statue of a reclining Buddha resting on the bridge that arched over the cascading water.

Cheung Chau Pak Tai Temple 長洲北帝廟

Pleasant weather in the morning, it’s perfect time for sketching at Pak Tai Temple (god of the sea) on Cheung Chau Island. Thanks Sketcher Ben for organising and Walter Koditek for the in-depth briefing!

Sai Kung Village House

On 14 April, a group of Hong Kong urban sketchers gathered in Sai Kung Town. It was a great day sketching outdoors except there was rain for a while in the afternoon.  A few of us walked to this village house in the outskirts of worn and spent roughly two hours sketching this house.

Tin Hau Temple in Tin Hau 位於天后的天后古廟

This Tin Hau Temple (Sea Goddess Temple) is located in a district which is also called Tin Hau near Victoria Park. I like how the ancient temple is surrounded by residential high rises today, a sight which is very much Hong Kong. 

#discoverhongkong #tinhautemple #hongkongheritage

Hong Kong Bird Series: Asian Barred Owlet 香港雀鳥：斑頭鵂鶹

Another addition to my Hong Kong Bird Series: Asian Barred Owlet  
香港雀鳥：斑頭鵂鶹 
Watercolour on Paper

The Tang Ancestral Hall 鄧氏宗祠

The Tang Ancestral Hall in Ping Shan was impressive. Built 700 years ago, this hall is one of the biggest and oldest in Hong Kong. This quick small sketch was done in the inner courtyard of the ancestral hall where the architectural features on the roof were interesting.

Ping Shan Heritage Trail: Kun Ting Study Hall 屏山文物徑覲廷書室

A great day out with a big group of sketchers today along Ping Shan Heritage Trail. I settled in front of this old study hall and captured the lovely lights and shadows cast on the building. Located in Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong, Kun Ting Study Hall was one of the many historic buildings built by the local Tang clan. This particular building was built in the old days to provide better education to their children. Today the hall is carefully refurbished to show its former glory. 
#urbansketchers #watercoloursketch #pingshanheritagetrail #屏山文物徑 #覲廷書室

Sai Kung Tin Hau Temple During Lunar New Year 農曆新年西貢天后廟

People come to offer joss sticks and prayers at Sai Kung Tin Hau Temple on the third day of the Lunar New Year. Tin Hau is a sea goddess widely worshipped in Hong Kong and this temple is one of the many in the territory.

Sai Kung Lunar New Year Flower Market 2019 西貢花市2019

Wish you all a happy and prosperous year of the pig ahead!  

A great afternoon spent at the Sai Kung Lunar New Year Flower Market.  Nice flowers, festive mood and enough space for me to get very close to the flowers.   

Cheung Sha Wan Old Tenement Building 長沙灣舊唐樓

Cheung Sha Wan Old Tenement Building.  Very few of these buildings left in Hong Kong now.

A long sketch in Nam Chung 南涌速寫

A very long sketch I did in a remote village in Nam Chung, a picturesque area with fish ponds and mangroves. Since it's a very long sketch, I decided to make a video out of it.

Hong Kong Bird Series : Eurasian Hoopoe 香港雀鳥：戴勝

A lovely bird to paint!

Hong Kong Bird Series : Eurasian Hoopoe 
香港雀鳥：戴勝 Watercolour on Paper

Old Mansion in Sai Kung Old Town 西貢舊墟舊屋

Large historical mansion in Sai Kung Old Town. Marked by a private property no entry sign, it seems the mansion has been abandoned and is left to crumble. Anyone knows more about this place?

Hong Kong Bird Series: Common Kingfisher 香港雀鳥：普通翠鳥

Hong Kong Bird Series: Common Kingfisher 
香港雀鳥：普通翠鳥 
A lovely bird with bright blue and orange feathers! What a joy to paint it! 
#commonkingfisher #kingfisher #hongkongbirds #香港雀鳥 #普通翠鳥

Bright Sunny Day at Queens Arcade, Cardiff 卡迪夫陽光下的廣場

Another sketch from this summer!  A bright and warm  sunny day at Queens Arcade, Cardiff

US Destroyer in Victoria Harbour 美艦泊維港

USS Curtis Wilbur guided missile destroyer docking at Ocean Terminal, Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong