Tag: urban sketching

Hakodate seafood market squid tank

Visiting Hakodate, Hokkaido’s Port City Of Squid, Forts And Mountain Views

February 1, 2021

Hakodate is a historic port city in the south of Hokkaido, known for its fresh seafood, European-style architecture, and one of the best panoramic night views in Japan. It is built on a narrow strip of land that reaches out to sea, culminating with the dramatic Mount Hakodate at the peninsula’s end. Its history revolves … More Visiting Hakodate, Hokkaido’s Port City Of Squid, Forts And Mountain Views

Urban sketching paris metro arts et metiers amazing paris metro stations steampunk

Arts et Métiers Metro Station Paris – The Fantastic Steampunk Station

January 29, 2021

With polished copper walls, submarine portholes, decorative rivets, and even gears on the ceiling, the Paris metro station Arts et Métiers is a stunning design straight out of a Jules Verne novel. Serving both line 3 and line 11, the platform for line 11 was redesigned to fit in with the theme of the Musée … More Arts et Métiers Metro Station Paris – The Fantastic Steampunk Station

Sketch of stork nests on chimney platforms in northern France alsace region

The Gigantic Stork Nests on the Rooftops of France’s Grand-Est

January 19, 2021

Across the Alsace region in north-eastern France, near the German border, the houses and chimneys are topped with special platforms. These are to accommodate the resident stork population (Les cigognes blanches), 1-metre tall migrating birds with long, slender beaks. Their elaborate nests on the rooftops can be gigantic – weighing 500kg and almost as large … More The Gigantic Stork Nests on the Rooftops of France’s Grand-Est

Drawing of Chartres cathedral ceiling ribbed vaults Gothic design

Gothic Cathedrals – Appreciating Europe’s Medieval Masterpieces

January 12, 2021

The Gothic style of architecture, which rose to prominence in the mid-twelfth century, represented a revolutionary new way of building cathedrals. Architects and builders during the High Middle Ages employed new architectural techniques, allowing buildings to be taller, with large stained glass windows, grandiose displays of sunlight and lofty interior spaces to amaze visitors. The … More Gothic Cathedrals – Appreciating Europe’s Medieval Masterpieces

Drawing of the Yamaguchi locomotive from the front

The Yamaguchi Steam Train – Riding Japan’s Historic Locomotive

January 6, 2021

The SL Yamaguchi Steam Train, billowing almighty plumes of dense, oily smoke, is Japan’s most endearing historic train. Nicknamed The Lady, it’s a black iron locomotive built in 1937 that travels between Shin-Yamaguchi and Tsuwano in Yamaguchi prefecture. While Japan’s high speed train lines have pushed the limits of rail technology, the Yamaguchi steam train … More The Yamaguchi Steam Train – Riding Japan’s Historic Locomotive

The Cannonball Lodged in the Wall of the Hotel de Sens

January 5, 2021

On the 28th of July, 1830, a cannon was aimed at the Hôtel de Sens in Paris. The powder exploded, and the projectile, a lump of iron weighing several kilograms, collided with the stone with a hefty thunk. Instead of breaking the stone or bouncing off harmlessly, it embedded into the side of the hotel, … More The Cannonball Lodged in the Wall of the Hotel de Sens

Urban sketching Paris Arenes de Lutece Roman ruins

Arènes De Lutèce – The Secret Roman Ruins In Busy Paris

October 27, 2020

With a muffled thunk, the petanque ball landed in the sand of the arena, landing next to another heavy steel ball. Sheltered from the stress and the noise of Paris, there’s often a group of older gentlemen playing petanque in the sands of the Arènes de Lutèce, a little-known Roman ruin in Paris. It’s a … More Arènes De Lutèce – The Secret Roman Ruins In Busy Paris

drawing of promenade plantee viaduct des arts urban sketching paris park

The Promenade Plantée – A Secret Elevated Park Walkway In Paris

August 18, 2020

Paris has some famous and beloved parks. The Jardin des Plantes, The Tuileries, and the Jardin du Luxembourg are all famous green spaces that Parisians and visitors love. However, there’s a little-known park that is just as wonderful as any of these – the Promenade Plantée. It’s elevated up to 10 metres above the city, … More The Promenade Plantée – A Secret Elevated Park Walkway In Paris