5. Sketching Group
Background information . . .
2012 onwards
After retiring, I learnt through the RSASA of a Friday morning sketching group, and in mid-2012, I started going out to sites with them.
I began with pencil and large paper sketch pads for the first six months, hoping to swap to acrylic paints after that. But after trying acrylics at one sketching site, and during a week in the Flinders Ranges in late September, I decided I would need to swap to oils for outdoor work.
Personal commitments then prevented me from regularly painting with the group until late 2022, but since then I have regularly painted with them, and also set up a website for the group (AdelaideOutdoorPainting.org).
The experience of plein air painting is unique. While I enjoy the comfort of painting indoors, it cannot compare with the personal experience of responding to the impact of a scene by recording it on site.
To enable current sketches to be seen first, these are being presented in reverse chronological order, with the latest at the start.
Sketching Group, 2012 onwards
Urrbrae House, Waite Campus
Oil on board, 8 x 10″, Feb 2026
more . . .
Urrbrae House
“Urrbrae” was named in 1846 after Urr, the Scottish home parish of the original purchaser of the land (Robert Forsyth Macgeorge), and “brae” for a hillside or slope.
Peter Waite, a Scottish pastoralist, purchased the land and original house in the 1870’s. The current house was built in 1891. It was the first house in Adelaide to have electric lights and refrigeration in 1895.
Following the deaths of Peter and his wife, the land and house was given to the University of Adelaide in 1923.
The Waite Research Institute is world-famous for its agricultural research and teaching, and the house is now a museum within the Waite Historic Precinct.
The Painting
The first morning at the painting site was on a 40 C day. When I arrived home I decided my brain must have been affected by the heat and glare, as the colours were dreadful. The following two mornings had mild weather, and I was able to repair it.
Light’s Statue, North Adelaide
Oil on board, 8 x 10″, Jan 2026
Gores Rd Piccadillay
Oil on board, 8 x 10″, Nov 2025
The Palais, near Semaphore jetty
Oil on board, 8 x 10″, Nov 2025
From Semaphore Jetty, looking North
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, 24th Oct 2025
more . . .
It was a fine day with many people walking on the jetty. A large number were curious about what I was doing, and stopped to chat. It’s part of the enjoyment of painting outdoors, but it takes time, and that meant I had to speed up to get it finished in the one morning. It took about one and a half hours, the shortest time so far to produce something passable.
Carrick Hill
Oil on board, 8 x 10″, Oct 2025
more . . .
The changes to the entry road, parking areas, and walking access still cause some difficulty, but a new cafe has opened behind the house, so coffee is once again available.
Felixstow Reserve
Oil on board, 10 x 8″, 26th Sept 2025
Felixstow Reserve
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, 19th Sept 2025
Kingston Foreshore Reserve
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Sept 2025
Botanic Gardens
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, 19th August 2025
more . . .
I recall this avenue of shaded trees in the Botanic Gardens from when I was a child, 70 years ago. It would take a lot of maintenance to keep it looking the same. We used to know it as the Fig Tree Avenue, it changed to a sponsor’s name about 30 years ago, but it is now called Ficus Avenue.
It still has the mystery and magic I saw as a child!
Botanic Gardens
Oil on board, 12 x 9″, 8th August 2025
Botanic Gardens
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, 1st August 2025
more . . .
It was a cold Winter morning, and it felt like early morning light for most of the morning.
Oaklands Wetlands
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, July 2025
more . . .
I had just adapted my painting gear to include a golf umbrella for shelter against both rain and sun glare. This morning it rained continually, so the tree trunks were dark, but I was pleased to test equipment that allowed me to paint on regardless.
Adelaide Bridge, King William St, North side
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, July 2025
Tam Oshanter Creek, Port Adelaide
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, June 2025
Henley Beach Jetty
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, May 2025
Anstey Hill Quarry Reserve
Oil on board, 12 x 9″, 2nd May 2025
Bridgewater Inn
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, March 2025
Near City of Adelaide Clipper Ship, Pt. Adelaide
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, March 2025
Marino Rocks
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Feb 2025
more . . .
These rocks are an unusual feature of the Adelaide coastline, which is mainly just beach sand, one of the great things about Adelaide.
Forty years ago, I used to take the children to explore the rock crevices near the water with anemones, crabs, and other sea life. But virtually all of that life is now gone, including the sea grasses that used to grow there.
Marino Rocks
Oil on canvas board, 9 x 12″, Feb 2025
Wellington Square, North Adelaide
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Feb 2025
West Terrace Cemetery
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Jan 2025
more . . .
This was my first visit with the sketching group to the cemetery, and I wondered what I might find to paint there.
But I was reminded that when we take time to open our eyes and see what is around us, there is so much to enjoy!
Forty years ago, I used to take the children to explore the rock crevices near the water with anemones, crabs, and other sea life. But virtually all of that life is now gone, including the sea grasses that used to grow there.
Botanic Park
Oil on canvas board, 9 x 12″, Dec 2024
Palmer Gardens, Nth Adel
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Nov 2024
Dolphin Sanctuary, Garden Island, Port Adelaide
Oil on canvas board, 9 x 12″, Nov 2024
Michael Perry Reserve, Stonyfell
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Sep 2024
Victoria Park Grandstand
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Aug 2024
North Haven beach
Oil on canvas board, 9 x 12″, July 2024
Morialta Recreation Area
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, July 2024
Norton Summit cemetery
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, May 2024
Laratinga Wetlands, Mt Barker
Oil on canvas board, 6 x 8″, May 2024
Point Malcolm Reserve, Semaphore
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Feb 2024
Old Mill at Highbury
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Jan 2024
Carrick Hill
Oil on canvas board, 9 x 12″, Dec 2023
more . . .
The entry road, parking area and walking access has changed since we were there last year. There is now a large funnction centre beside the car park, and a couple who had visited the house told me they couldn’t buy a coffee as the cafe was closed.
St Peters Billabong
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Nov 2023
more . . .
It’s a wonderful park, located close to the city, with a large oval surrounded by bushland and water.
On our last day, one of our members captured a video of a koala with a baby on its back, which came close to where he was painting. Click to view the video.
Sugarloaf, Hallett Cove
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Oct 2023
more . . .
I first visited this site 55 years ago, on a field excursion while studying Geology at university. It was fascinating to learn of the formation of the highly unusal features of this landscape.
At that time it was a remote site, but ten years later suburban housing was intruding into the area. Much of geological interest was lost to housing, and the relatively small conservation park that has been preserved was only secured after a long legal battle by groups who recognised its value.
Uraidla Old Cemetery
Oil on canvas board, 9 x 12″, Sep 2023
more . . .
The old cemetery has scenic views in every direction, and is a great site despite its isolation.
A farmer came to chat with us and see our work. Two of the houses in this scene belong to his daughters and their families, while his house to the left of this scene is a modern mansion. I’m told the local produce is raspberries, they must pay well.
Warraparinga Wetlands
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Aug 2023
more . . .
The first week was poor weather, and it rained for a short time, but the second week had much better weather.
One of the staff described how the rains this year had been huge. The Sturt Creek had flooded, going over the foot bridge, and the water level had risen to a tree in the middle of the open grass are that I was sitting beside to do this painting.
This is one of the original farming homesteads in the area that has been preserved for the wetlands.
Bonython Park Railway Bridge
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, July 2023
more . . .
We were fortunate to have three weeks in mid-Winter with very little rain, although it was quite cold, and for some of the time there was sunshine.
Mo only attended for the second week, but fortunately he placed himself to paint within my view, so I was able to include him in the sketch.
The bridge is used by the frequent trains going to the northern suburbs..
Under Port River Expressway
Oil on canvas board, 9 x 12″, June 2023
more . . .
I was only able to visit the site twice, with a short time of painting due to the long travel time, but I liked the sketchy result and I decided to leave it like that.
I was lucky to include the couple who are fishing. They appeared for a short time at the start of my first visit, and I had only just finished putting them in when they packed up and left.
The darker horizontal line through the middle of the sketch is a railway bridge, and it’s quite startling to see a train go by.
Mt. Lofty Botanic Gardens
Oil on canvas board, 8 x 10″, April 2023
Mt. Lofty Botanic Gardens
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, April 2023
more . . .
Mt. Lofty is colder and wetter than Adelaide, but the Autumn colours are wonderful to see. The colours changed during the two week span of our group visits, and the weather and lighting was different for each of those days, as shown by sketch #23.
I started a third sketch on the middle Friday, when the distant hills were not visible because of thick mist. It rained for most of the morning, and I painted with one hand while holding an umbrella with the other. But the rain still splashed onto the painting, which stopped much of the paint from adhering to the board. It was a great learning experience. I will keep that board to use when the weather is misty again, and it may develop into something to show here.
Thorndon Park Reserve
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, March 2023
more . . .
I had never seen the Thorndon Park Reserve until this year, but it is a wonderful recreation area built around the Thorndon Park reservoir. Although it is an hour’s drive from my house, I am glad I made the effort to visit.
The long drive cut down the available painting time, so I spent a couple of hours on this at home before completing it on site.
Henley Beach Rd Bridge
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Feb 2023
Kingston Park
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Jan 2023
Denis Morrissey Park
Oil on board 8 x 6″, March 2020
Garden Island Dolphin Sanctuary
Oil on board, 6 x 8″, Feb 2020
Garden Island Dolphin Sanctuary
Oil on board, 6 x 8″, Feb 2020
Hazelwood Park
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Dec 2019
Oaklands Wetlands
Oil on board, 9 x 12″, Nov 2019
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
Oil on board, 6 x 8″, Oct 2019
Birkenhead
Oil on board, 6 x 8″, May 2018
Uni Whites Pitch, Jerningham St, North Adelaide
Oil on canvas board, Jan 2016
Botanic Park
Pencil on cartridge paper, Dec 2012
Apple Tree at Lee Wood, Ashton
Pencil on cartridge paper, Sept 2012
Birkenhead
Pencil on cartridge paper, Aug 2012
Birkenhead
Pencil on cartridge paper, Aug 2012
Birkenhead
Pencil on cartridge paper, Aug 2012
Waterfall Gully
Pencil on cartridge paper, July 2012
Morialta Recreation Area
Pencil on cartridge paper, July 2012
Moorhouse Road, Port Adelaide
Pencil on cartridge paper, June 2012
Moorhouse Road, Port Adelaide
Pencil on cartridge paper, June 2012
Moorhouse Road, Port Adelaide
Pencil on cartridge paper, June 2012
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