Apollo Saj Cafeteria

I came again to this great place in Hilli industrial area in Al Ain. The Apollo Saj Cafeteria. The owner allways insists that I try a new different lebanese dish, so it is a great gastronomic experience for me. At the same time the team is extreamly friendly and I can practice my arabic. If you happened to be arround (I guess I still don't have any Al Ain blog reader) take a look at him and tell me if there is a resemblace in the portrait!

Sketching in Al Jahli

More Jahli Fort

Al Jahli Fort, Al Ain

My favorite place to sketch is the Al Jahli Fort,
It is a big fort, but at the same time it have many interesting corners to sketch.
There is the Jahli tower, and there is a small building inside the courtyard. I also like the galeries with the guest room where u get some arabic coffee and dates.
I went last friday with two friends. I needed some Photos to use in my sketcher profile. Me sketching and the building in the background. We arrive a little late (the fort closes at 17:00) and although we got still an hour my friends got fascinated exploring the tower and didn't came back till it was almost time to close. We just got time to do a few pictures. I did two new sketches. I have not scanned yet. But I post here some old sketches I have done before.

Forts in Al Ain

There are many Forts in Al Ain. They are built with a mud architecture system. They have been restaurated in the last years. A friend of mine, a german architect, is now working in the restauration of the Muwaijii Fort. I wrote about it in the Urbansketchers blog.

Moleskine exchange

I always forget to write about things, and never wrote the last news about the Moleskine exchange. Well, there is going to be an exhibition in Minnesotta, USA, next year from january to march with some of the group's books in the Moleskine exchange. Our group is going to participate with Roberts Moleskine.

As soon as we knew that, we are trying to speed the work in the Moleskine. Ramires (Brasil) and I have been preparing our works so that we won't loose more that 2 days work on the moleskine. Of course we still have to wait for the post but I guess express post is worth it!

So I'm ready. I had worked in the last days with Roberts portrait. I wanted to try acrylics. I was inspired by the nice works from Ramires and Tim.
I started painting a middle tone background and from them working the dark and light areas. I struggled with the tecnic but I 'm quite happy with the result. I was really a surprice! I guess I made many mistakes by working but I learned a lot with them to. The good thing about acrylic is that you can always paint over it.
I left the painting to rest for a few days and then I make some corrections I found appropiate. I draw myself with a golden caligraphic marker and made some skratches with a cutter to get Roberts beard.

Horses

When I arrived here I though finally will have the opportunity to see this famous arab horses, and "inshalla" maybe be able to paint them. I'm still looking for, I don't know where I can found them arround here.
I painted this watercolour a year ago. It was base on a picture. I'm looking forward for a live one.