Leaves From My Sketchbooks. 69. Oast House, Elllendale, Tasmania

Brewing must be a big business in Tasmania because there are oast houses (hop drying kilns) everywhere in the midlands. As I sat on a folding stool painting this one I wondered whether it might tumble down before I finished! This is dilapidation on a grand scale.

I have a feeling that this structure burned to the ground or fell to pieces in later years.

© DON DONOVAN. donovan@ihug.co.nz 
www. don-donovan.blogspot.co.nz
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Leaves From My Sketchbooks. 68. Hop Drying Kiln, Bushy Park, New Norfolk, Tasmania

This was hop drying on a large, industrial scale and yet because function dictated the form of these buildings they had a rare grace and dignity. Although I sketched this en plein air I took a bit of extra time over it, the shapes are deceptively complicated and consequently the perspective is demanding.

The funny thing was that I saw nobody and I worked in complete silence as if in a dream.

© DON DONOVAN. donovan@ihug.co.nz 
www. don-donovan.blogspot.co.nz
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