August 2019: Onehunga Mall

Onehunga Mall

Spring might be just around the corner, but August Urban Sketchers shivered their way through a chilly afternoon in Onehunga's vibrant mall on Saturday 31 August 2019. Even if you dress for the weather (which I clearly did not) you're sitting or standing still and you can get quite cold quite quickly as you draw. We were all very pleased to gather and share our work in the warm Onehunga Library after we were done.

Corner of Church Street and Onehunga Mall

Personally, I find these are my favourite of all the places we draw. I like busy shopping areas with older buildings; they are often areas we drive and walk through without really seeing them as picturesque compared to a view across the harbour or a mountain or a monument for instance. I really enjoy the intricacies of 'everyday' shops and buildings, their signage and repurposed old buildings.

I spotted a large pestle and mortar on top of the Unichem (chemist) corner shop. It wasn't easy to see with a tree growing up in front of the building. I drew the corner of the street but didn't manage to get that interesting detail into my page. But I am currently in love with street signs - arrows, parking info, street names - and love using them as the focus of my sketches.

Line drawing and acrylic paint-pens for colour (no pink tho, unfortunately)

Goodhome Gastro Pub, Onehunga

There are lots of lovely architecture (and people) in Onehunga. The Goodhome gastro pub, for example, is in an old building with columns, architectural details and a cafe our the front - what more could you ask for, really. There is also a graveyard smack dab in the middle of the mall, as well as some really funky modern sculptures - so yes; lots for everyone in Onehunga.

Show-and-tell in the Onehunga Library

August 2019 Family Photo

You can see more photos from the day on the Urban Sketchers Auckland Facebook page. 

FYI: Onehunga is pronounced or-nay-hong-ah. It may mean "burial place" because of the burial caves that are purported to be there.