By Brendan Rees
For Chris Rodrigues, sketching a popular park in Lynbrook has offered a soothing outlet while in lockdown.
The self-taught artist and father-of-one spent just a couple of nights using digital pencils for a change, to create his eye-catching piece depicting Banjo Paterson Park.
“It was the most therapeutic thing I’ve done in a long time,” Mr Rodrigues said.
A creative director by day, Mr Rodrigues used Adobe Frescoon his iPad to create his stunning piece, a program that is equipped with tools that behave like the real thing including pencils, brushes, markers, inks and other media.
“It’s incredible, but takes some getting used to. The result is quite close to the real thing.”
It is only his second drawing using the program. The first was last year when he sketched his now 14-month-old daughter a month after she was born – which turned out to be an “absolute smasher on the second attempt”.
With no artistic formal training, Mr Rodrigues said his latest creation proved rewarding.
“It’s come up really well, it’s surprised me to be honest.
“It was interesting to get into a lot of treescape and different bush. I thought I would just inspire myself to take out the brushes and start painting again.”
Mr Rodrigues, a Lynbrook resident, said he had taken a photo of the Banjo Paterson Park on his phone to create his detailed and intricate piece – an exercise he said that “just takes me somewhere else”.
But the one thing he said that “really struck” was the support he received from the community after posting his artwork to Facebook.
“They’re so supportive and appreciative of things. This is such a lovely community.”
