As I mentioned in an earlier post, we have been in strict lockdown again since last Sunday, so no outings for lunch or dinner, and definitely not going anywhere at night. So I’ve taken the opportunity to do some sketching.

I don’t really like sketching from photographs, because part of the pleasure of urban sketching is immersing myself in the scene, but in these circumstances it’s better than nothing. It’s also given me a bit more opportunity to work on developing a looser style for my sketches. It’s a series of Buenos Aires scenes.

Anyway, here are the ones I’ve done this past week. I hope you enjoy them.

This is the view from one corner of Plaza Dorrego, in the Barrio of San Telmo. It’s a popular spot for outdoor tango on Sunday nights—well, normal Sunday nights!

This tower was built by the English during one of their sojourns in Argentina, and was called Torre de los Ingleses. But after the Malvinas (Falklands) conflict, the name was changed to the Torre Monumental. But based on this sketch, I’m calling it the Leaning Tower of Retiro!

This is a lovely old cafe in Caminito, a tourist spot in the Barrio of La Boca. I love sitting outside watching people and listening to the tango music that is always playing somewhere. I hope it survives the madness.

This is the Cabildo, a government building that has played a large role in Argentine history. It features on the Dia de la Patria image I posted on May 25.

This is an unusual view of the Congreso building. I’ve admired this view many times, but there was no place to sit to sketch it live. But now I have my new camping chair …

We are allowed out again this week, but the numbers are so horrendous that I’ll probably stay home even if I don’t have to. Given the lo-o-ng eight-month lockdown we endured last year, it doesn’t seem fair that we are now number nine in the world in terms of daily infections. The vaccinations are gradually getting done, but it’s so slow. Still, we stay positive—and I keep sketching!

So maybe there will be more sketches next week!