A few rare days of sun in wintertime Paris.
architecture
Kiasma art museum, Helsinki
This building by Stephen Holl manages to be too big and cramped at the same time. Not only does it look like a Zeppelin hangar from almost all sides, the inside has surprisingly little actual hanging space. This is because a third of the floor space and the full height of the building is taken by the lobby and an oversized ramp. See video here: www.kiasma.fi/kiasmainfo
My next drawing of this square will include the tents of Occupy Helsinki. It was too cold to draw outside so I had to seek refuge in a café. Yes, the occupiers have been there all winter – at -25C and 50cm of snow.
This was my first field test of Neocolor II crayons. Here they are combined with Supracolor II pencils.
Wooden villa in Haaga, Helsinki
The whole neighbourhood used to be nothing but villas until they started to build pre-fab apartment blocks in the 50s.
Kuala Lumpur, seen from Chinatown towards the old railway station
Kuala Lumpur, seen from Chinatown towards the old railway station, originally uploaded by Brin d’Acier.
We spent a month backpacking around Singapore and Malaysia. Despite all the excitement, I took the time to do a few sketches…
Here’s one of the wonderfully chaotic architecture of downtoen Kuala Lumpur. That’s Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in the foreground.
Shanghai sketches
Smoggy Shanghai, originally uploaded by Brin d’Acier.
I was in Shanghai for two weeks, working. I managed to do a few sketches.
Great art deco movie theatre
Piece of retro architecture in the bazaars outside the old town. ‘Ye Olde Cathay’ – style
Sketched from the Bund on my first day. The Jetsons-looking tower is the Pearl of the Orient Radio Tower.
Functionalist Buildings in Kallio, Helsinki
Functionalist Buildings in Kallio, Helsinki, originally uploaded by Brin d’Acier.
Kallio (the rock, as it’s built on one of the rare hills in Helsinki) is a traditionally working class neighbourhood. The buildings range from Art Deco to 70s pre-fab. Most are in a pared-down modernist style.
Art Nouveau apartment buildings, Helsinki
Art Nouveau apartment buildings, Helsinki, originally uploaded by Brin d’Acier.
Corner of Bulevardi and Fredrikinkatu.
It’s getting cold, so this might be my last outdoor sketch of the year. If the weather stays sunny and I get myself a pair of fingerless gloves I might squeeze off a few more.
