Today, I joined Urban Sketchers Singapore during their sketching outing (sketchwalk) at the famous Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh restaurant in Tiong Bahru. This time I observed and took pictures only lah. Maybe next time, I may actually pick up the brush and sketch 😄
Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh is in this pretty deco art style building. It makes an interesting subject for sketchers.
The Urban Sketchers perched across Seng Poh Road facing Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh.
I took some snaps of urban sketchers deeply engrossed in their passion.
Sketchers say sketching is very therapeutic and calming - a much desired respite, in their own serene zone in fast paced urban living.
Same building, same perspective but everyone's interpretation was different and unique. Everyone is bonded together by the same shared love of sketching yet expresses themselves freely as individuals.
Urban sketching is not always very comfortable. Sometimes sketchers have to deal with rain and the hot sun. This morning, there were sudden showers followed by stifling heat but that didn't deter the passionate sketchers at all.
The sketching fraternity is friendly and inclusive - the various sketching groups participate and support each other's activities. Mr Leong Chye Chye and other Scenic Rangers members also joined today's Tiong Bahru sketchwalk. (Scenic Rangers is another prominent sketching group in Singapore.)
The palpable sense of pride and satisfaction after completing their sketches is infectious, inspiring curious bystanders to want to join in to try their hands at sketching straightaway 😄
At the end of the sketchwalk (usually 2-3 hours), all the completed sketches were displayed together for all to appreciate. Members generously share tips to encourage and help everyone sketch better. Everyone feels motivated and energised, wanting more.
The Urban Sketchers' passion for their art is matched by their love for good food. After sketching the Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh building, it was only natural to bond by indulging in good BKT together 😄
Urban Sketchers Singapore and Scenic Rangers family photos before tucking in 😄
Ms Tia Boon Sim, the founder of Urban Sketchers Singapore is an architect-turned-art and design educator, now Artist in Residence at Temasek Polytechnic's Centre for Transcultural Studies. She founded Urban Sketchers Singapore in 2009 which explores the city, documenting its development with pen and brush, one drawing at a time.
Each Urban Sketchers Singapore sketchwalk is now attended by about 50 sketching enthusiasts. Members range from hobbyists, to freelance illustrators and renowned professional artists. The group has earned international acclaim and is regularly invited to exhibit and document cityscapes overseas. USKSG has also published book collections of their members' sketches.
Our lunch 😋 Don't be jealous hor... 😄
Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh always delivers. The medium body soup has well balanced peppery heat and savoury sweetness from fresh pork. The prime rib was fall off the bone tender with subtle chewiness to the bite and was oozing sweet juices with every bite. One of the best Singapore style bak kut teh on the island.
Teochew style steamed squid - it's all about freshness. Yummy.
Urban Sketchers Singapore was featured in the premiere episode of the popular Mediacorp Channel 8 series Tours of Discovery 星期二特写 (行脚发现).
Learn more about Urban Sketchers Singapore and their activities by joining their Facebook Page. My fingers are itching now after watching their Tiong Bahru sketchwalk. Want to join?
Restaurant name: Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh 老字號中峇魯肉骨茶
Address: Blk 58, Seng Poh Road, #01-31 Singapore 160058
GPS: 1°17'04.4"N 103°49'57.8"E 🌐 1.284541, 103.832729
Waze: Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh
Tel: 6223 3075
Hours: 6:30am - 9:00pm (Monday off) As there is limited stock of prime ribs daily, the best time to be here is from brekky till lunch
Non Halal
Date visited: 17 Nov 2018
Urban Sketchers Singapore encore.
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Patrick Ng said on Johor Kaki Facebook: "Thanks for the wonderful feature Col. Tony! Really glad to meet you and have you join our time.
ReplyDeleteNext one is at Sultan Mosque (next Sat). The turnout will be suggest than yesterday’s (our usual official Sketchwalk turnout is 70-100 pax). Some 30 of us will be given access to the inside and rooftop of the mosque. Let me know if you are interested to join us (I’ll try to reserve a spot for you.)
Do bring your art supply and join in the action. =}"