Worldwide Sketchcrawl- a day early

Howdy! I've been quite absent from this blog ever since I moved from Portland down to a home in the country!

Today is the Worldwide Sketchcrawl but I guess I celebrated yesterday- I sketched a little bit...actually quite a bit more than is usual for me now that there is a toddler in my life!!! I find that I can steal a minute or two here and there from time to time!

At Lan Su, sketched in about 3 minutes in between doling out pretzels and chatting with Katura.

Up on the Columbia, sketched in About 2 minutes as my little guy woke from his car nap.

A bit longer, as the boy played with sticks and filled his diaper!

On the way home, about 2 hours in traffic, and this guy slept nearly the whole trip!

And the sky was gorgeous though I was unable to capture it well!

Palms Motor Hotel on Interstate

I either never have time or can't find a place to park to have a go at the sign;
Thursday I had two tries, before and after a doctor's visit.  The first was hurried and I like it better;
the second I did a set-up, etc, and yet the joy of the image is a bit lost.  Some do best the second time: I find I often do my best work the first time out, and if I don't get it, should just walk away.

 

Above, very fast and spontaneous, no set-up, about 15 minutes. 

I like the dark black ink, even though it bled.
I feel like I captured my feeling for the sign (reminds me of home.)

Below, chose an ink that doesn't run in grey, did a set-up in grey watercolor pencil, 35 minutes,

(cut short by creepy guy deciding to stand and stare at me through the window)
and feel it doesn't hit the mark for me.  Not as much focus on the sign either.

Rainy Sketchcrawl

My first sketchcrawl with the Portland Urban Sketchers;  I've crawled around a lot by myself
urban sketching!  My husband Mitchell was the bravest, being new to sketching and
braving today as well. It wasn't raining, it was POURING -- not a monsoon but hard rain. 
Never let up.  Non sketchers, and shoppers were all trying to stay dry,
and everyone wanted coffee, so no window spots in cafe's either.

Mitchell dipped into Annie Bloom Books, and I was able to sketch a very
fast sketch with tons of kids running all around and my floppy book on my knee.
10 minutes, and my normally free-flowing Preppie pens both clogged!

 

We tried to find a dry place to sketch outside but finally gave up,

and ended up at Village Coffee.   I managed to knock out another fast sketch.
Today, the best part was meeting Deb and Tony and Colleen and Ellie and Kay!

Drawn in an Strathmore Mixed Media journal with graphite watercolor pencil,
Noodler’s Polar Brown and Lexington Grey ink, and Daniel Smith watercolors.
Note: Normally those inks do not run, but they bleed a bit in this journal.

Cellar Door Coffee Roaster Sketchcrawl

Hello Sketchers,

A fine and rainy weekend was had by my partner and I as we indulged in coffee and treats at the Cellar Door this last weekend. A bit of sketching was had, and I decided to do an interior shot, looking out towards the street through the front door.
I decided to use a new sketch journal, one of those trendy little models, a Moleskine! A small detail I noticed only the next day: I am still writing 2014 down on some of my sketches!

Happy Sketching,

Mark Hansen
The Art of Mark R. Hansen

Bicycles in Lyon

Deb -- Your wet day in Multnomah Village reminded me to look for this one I did in Lyon last fall, when I was trying to get 'wetness,' too. I need to study up on how other folks succeed. (Also, bicycles are hard.)

A wet day in Multnomah Village

A surprisingly great number of sketchers turned out on Saturday sketching in Multnomah Village despite the forecast for heavy rain.

I was lucky to find the perfect spot on a very convenient bench that I had to share...(but more of that later) and under an awning.
In this first I am looking across the street and to the left at the SW Capitol Highway bridge. I tried to get the feeling of wet but it dried out just looking like shadow.....which there was not! I will have to study some of the Paraty (Brazil USK Symposium 2014) wet street sketches to get some pointers.

Watercolor and non waterproof ink

After, I switched to an opposite view looking down SW Capitol Highway at the street cars and shops.

Non waterproof ink

And then finally I just had to sketch my bench companion. He ( I am guessing?) was a perfect gentleman and didn't flinch or hesitate when I asked that he pose for me.

watercolor and non waterproof ink

So despite the weather it was a pretty good sketching day! Yea, Portland Urban Setchers.

Multnomah Village in the pouring rain

Thanks everybody for coming out yesterday despite the weather.  Brave people!  I stayed inside the whole time.  Here's one from Annie Bloom's book store.

January Sketchcrawl: Multnomah Village, Saturday, January 17

January Sketchcrawl: Multnomah Village

Saturday, January 17

Let's sketch Multnomah Village! It has lots of indoor spots for enjoying coffee and wandering around.

• 10:00 am: Meet at Fat City Cafe for coffee and/or snacks: 7820 SW Capitol Hwy.
• 10:30 am: Sketch the neighborhood, Annie Bloom's Books, antique shops, etc.
• 12:30 pm: Optional sketchbook sharing and lunch - The Medley: 7881 SW Capitol Hwy.
  

February Sketchcrawl: Beaumont Plaza at NE Fremont and NE 42nd
Saturday, February 21 

Let's check out NE Portland! This particular spot is close to Beaumont Middle School, a cemetery, some shopping, and some coffee shops and restaurants.

• 10:00 am: Meet at Grand Central Bakery - Beaumont - for coffee/breakfast/snacks: 4440 NE Fremont St.
  
• 10:30 am: Sketch the neighborhood.
• 12:00 noon: Optional sketchbook sharing and lunch Alameda Cafe 4641 NE Fremont St.

 

Chinese Garden

Like Andrea, I also went to the Chinese Garden this week, but unlike her, I hung out in the tea house and drew pottery for quite awhile. (I found the poem on our table very comforting after the tragedies in Paris this week.)



After warming up with tea and treats,  I went outside and drew some of the vegetation.

Finally, to make this post look a little more urban, I'll add this sketch from Directors Square.

Sketching at the Chinese Garden

There's still free entry today to the Chinese Garden if you bring a can of food.

I went there on Thursday and Friday during my lunch break.  Had some sun both days. Three other urban sketchers that I know of went too.  

Je suis Charlie

After an absence...

Well, fellow sketchers, it's a while since I put anything up here. I feel a little bit out of the loop, being up here in the hills and getting into Town so seldom. And months since I shared a sketching date with you all. Maybe this newly born year will bring me together with town and a sketching Saturday.

In the meantime, here's a little sample of my world. Not urban, but one sketch at a time anyhow.

It's hard to make 'em hold still for portraits.