Urban Sketchers Portland

34th SketchCrawl

2012-01-26T15:40:00.000-08:00

I didn't get much sketched at the SketchCrawl last Saturday and I wasn't pleased with most of what I did, but I really like to see other people's sketches, so I thought I better post a few myself. Here are some quick sketches of a few of the other sketchers. There are a few double exposures; Mary really didn't have a feather in her hat.

Even when the sketches aren't very satisfying, it's always fun to go out with the group and see what others are drawing.

Portlandia Sketch Crawl

2012-01-23T13:23:00.000-08:00

It had been a while since I'd been out with the crew, and it was nice to join up with the group this past Saturday. It was a fairly good turn out and it was great to check out what everyone's been sketching. I could look at everyone's sketchbooks for hours. Spent the morning dodging rain, and sketching inside Starbucks and around the World Trade Center. Finished the afternoon up with lunch at Seattle's Best while we tried diligently to capture a likeness of the Portlandia statue. I sketched out a version in pencil while my other sketches from the day are done using a Pentel Brush Pen and assorted Pitt Pens.

That bridge at The World Trade Center. My buildings need work.

Urban Tree

Sketching Linda sketching...

Portlandia in Pencil, may add color later.

Sketching Portlandia

2012-01-22T20:39:00.000-08:00

Had a great time at the Portland sketchcrawl on Saturday...where a dozen of us roamed between second avenue and fifth darting raindrops and marveling at the sporadic sunshine of a very unpredictable day. I managed a few ink sketches which I splashed with some watercolor once I got home. I also took a few photos to sketch from at a later date.

Not happy with my first Portlandia....I tried again.......

It was hard to get the right amount of muscle to her figure...she really is an amazon woman...and is also in an unusual crouching position!

( just draw the darks.....!)

Busy sketchers staying dry at the cafe across from the Portland Building

Marco's sketch of Portlandia

Linda E.

Portlandia

2012-01-22T13:35:00.001-08:00

Portland Urban Sketchers met downtown at SW 2nd and SW Taylor at a Starbucks. Downtown on a Saturday morning is a quiet place-- great for focusing on urban landscape without the distraction of traffic and pedestrians.

Twelve sketchers showed up on this cold, damp day. The sun kept teasing us, but the rain still fell.

I did some warm up drawings of my fellow sketchers & pasted in a map of the area,

we did venture outside, under a sheltered area that also had tables. I managed to mostly avoid drawing buildings. I just wasn't feeling in the mood to work on perspective. In the background, you can see something with the letter E on it. Electric cars can park in two parking spots for as long as they want, as long as they are charging up their vehicles.

I attempted to figure out the lines of a bicycle locked to a bike rack. Not only is a bike difficult to draw, but the bike rack it self, had odd curved metal that confused my eye and my pen.

Huddled back in the warmth of the cafe, I couldn't resist trying to draw this mural on the side of a building.

Our next stop was supposed to be Steamer's for lunch, but since it was closed, we went to Seattle's Best. We had lunch there and tried to sketch the Portlandia statue from the window. I couldn't get a good view without taking over someone else's chair, so I decided I'd draw the sketchers sketching the Portlandia statue. You can see below, on Kalina's sketchbook the trident that Portlandia is holding.

One of these days, I will attempt to draw the Portlandia statue.

We shared our sketchbooks and then parted ways.

Portlandia Sketchcrawl!

2012-01-21T16:17:00.000-08:00

A fun day for a sketchcrawl--veering back and forth between cold and rainy, then suddenly sunny and blue skies, and then rain again. We were making good use of coffee shops, overhangs, and whatnot to keep sketching in the unpredictable climate conditions.

Today I decided that my little warm brown Micron pen was good for bricks. And I let my brain play with drawing just enough to give the impression of brick-ness, without driving myself crazy doing every brick. Fun challenge.

Similar challenge when drawing twigs and branches--how much detail is enough to suggest the scene, without going batty tracking every last nuance of the fractal pattern?

As I wandered from the starting cafe towards the ending cafe, I got caught up in the carving on a historic fountain. Fascinating trying to suss out how the stone carver created each letter and number, and also surprising to see how the light and dark of each incision were not where I would have expected them to fall.

We sketchers met up again at a coffee shop near our fine city's "Portlandia" sculpture, and were able to sit indoors with warm beverages and draw her through the windows. Amazing watching the light on the rain-wet sculpture change as the clouds would part, and then regather again.

PDXUsk members at my studio

2012-01-18T19:39:00.000-08:00

I really enjoyed having my comrades in sketching visit my studio. I took a few of photos. It was more fun than it looks in the pictures

I also did one sketch of Kalina and Alanna

At Bill's place....

2012-01-18T16:34:00.000-08:00

Here's another 'Thank You' to Bill for hosting that Saturday sketching session a few weeks ago in and outside of his studio . Loved the tour, as well as seeing new and old faces! Hope to make a few more of the sketching events this year. I only had time to do one sketch...it's fun sketching each other.( ever since Lisbon, I am trying to do more people...it is the only way to get better. I also was impressed by all of Bill's wonderful paintings that were tacked up on the walls...he is one prolific artist! ( with a sharing and caring heart!)

Linda (Engstrom)

Bill's Studio sketching in January

2012-01-13T12:54:00.000-08:00

We had a lovely gathering at Bill Sharp's new studio.
The sun was out and although a little on the chilly side I was able to get this one sketch done and then promptly moved back inside to get warm and enjoy the company and food. Great fun!

A Gathering of Sketchers

2012-01-10T21:31:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, January 7, I loaded my backpack with a hodgepodge of sketching supplies and took the bus and light rail way out west, to the hilly fringes of Portland for a meetup of Urban Sketchers. It was only my second meeting with the group--and my first time meeting folks in daylight--so I was a little giddy with nerves. I figured it would help to draw bus signs and lampposts along the way, to loosen my hands up for the gathering.

Arriving at Bill Sharp's studio, I found quite a gathering of lovely folks, who promptly fell to discussing paper, pens, paints, the excitement of travel, and the even greater excitement of traveling with a sketchbook in hand. Is it that I don't hang out with artists often enough, or just that I will always get goosebumps when folks start talking about tubes of Payne's Gray watercolor paint going on sale? The nicest part of it all was that we promptly fell to drawing little pictures of each other, quite comfortably and unabashedly.

Bill had generously provided drinks and snacks, and the hot tea was very welcome on this chilly (but eventually sunny) day. The group was also very generous about sharing their wide knowledge of the world around them--including identifying the seedpod that I had sketched out in the garden as from a Stewartia tree. (Which I spelled wrong in the sketchbook, of course.)

As we all thanked Bill for a lovely afternoon, he offered me a nice parting piece of wisdom about the mental state that he tries to bring to process of art: "I should go to the dentist, I should eat healthy food. But I want to go sketching." An excellent reminder!

Portlandia sketchcrawl!

2012-01-08T14:41:00.001-08:00

Sketch portlandia! Click for details
Saturday, January 21, 2012
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Meet at Starbucks at SW 2nd & Taylor; if raining, sketch SW 2nd from windows or the outdoor sheltered area outside or at the World Trade Center one block away. This area has a lot of nice older buildings and I've always been fond of the view of curving MAX tracks and trees at the Yamhill Max Station. Gather again for lunch at Steamers Asian Bistro at 5th & Madison - it's about 5 blocks away, but they have some very cheap food options and a good window view of Portlandia (the statue)!

Thanks, Kalina, for researching this option!

Night sketching

2011-12-26T13:32:00.001-08:00

Okay, night sketching was too hard. Or maybe I found the subject too challenging. Here are my attempts (I discovered once I was home that I ended up using green rather than gray on my first sketch of the night.)

Pioneer place sketching

2011-12-26T13:29:00.001-08:00

I found that sketching at the mall was over stimulating, but I enjoyed the challenge. I liked having an excuse to try out my sparkly watercolors.

Holiday sketching

2011-12-26T13:25:00.001-08:00

Holiday sketching is my favorite. Relaxing, eating, talking, people naturally pose for me!

More Santa Line Sketches

2011-12-24T12:10:00.001-08:00

Here are my sketches from Pioneer Place the other night. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and lots of good sketching in 2012. (And I hope Santa puts some art supplies in your stockings!)

deb rossi, Santa scene, people studies

2011-12-23T10:23:00.000-08:00

Several of us gathered at the Pioneer Place rotunda to sketch people waiting to 'see' Santa.
You will see these subjects repeated in the other sketchers drawings as we pretty much had a similar view. The most amazing part of the evening for me was that in addition to the children wanting to visit Santa there were adults and even whole families that wanted their picture taken with Santa! And hence the very large 'Santa chair' shown on the right in the larger overall scene below.

Cheating on Portland with Seattle

2011-12-13T00:12:00.000-08:00

This past weekend for a little early birthday celebrating I went up to Seattle to whoop it up. In between market walking, ferry boat riding, and just whooping it up in general I found a few moments here and there to get a sketch off. Mostly in the calm of the train. I'd like to go up to Seattle again sometime to do some more focused city sketching.

A Night At Body Worlds

2011-12-12T23:55:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I lost site of the fact that I was drawing actual humans but it was an interesting learning experience. It was a great opportunity to really see and draw the muscles that lie beneath the skin. Well worth the time. I've been really into the versatility and ease of Pitt Pens lately so that's what these are done with.

November sketching Cedar Creek Grist Mill

2011-12-12T19:22:00.000-08:00

As I stated before, I usually draw in pencil, takes a long time, allows a lot of indecisiveness.... since Seattle I have been sketching in ink!! Really, so far it is working... ;)

Body worlds sketch night

2011-12-12T18:52:00.001-08:00

OMSI's Body World exhibit had a sketch night. Here are my attempts...

Ladd's Addition

2011-12-12T18:44:00.001-08:00

I admit I never left the warmth of the cafe....but I did sketch!

Ladd's Addition Sketchcrawl

2011-11-27T07:48:00.001-08:00

At last week's sketchcrawl, I didn't have my watercolors with me, so yesterday I went back to Palio and added the color. My notes helped, but I faked it a bit since a lot of the leaves had dropped this past week.

This may have been better left in b/w, but it's really hard to resist trying to record the fall colors.

I can see spending more Saturday mornings at Palio, recording the changing view, and then crawling out for a street sketch--weather permitting, of course.

deb rossi, Ladd's Addition sketchcrawl

2011-11-25T13:17:00.000-08:00

Our sketchcrawl at Ladd's Addition started as a beautiful day..the temp was bearable so I ventured out. I had passed this interesting church while driving to meet at Palio's so decided to go there first. The church is St Sharbel's Catholic Church. St Sharbel born in Lebanon (1828-1898) entered a monastery at the age of 23 and then sometime later was granted permission to live as a hermit which he did until his death.

Later after lunch I did this sketch looking out the window with a 'Palomino Blackwing' pencil ("half the pressure, twice the speed"...so it says) that Kalina generously gave me. I used to do only pencil sketching and I have to say it was fun to go back to it again.

11-11-11 sketching

2011-11-21T22:33:00.001-08:00

Veteran's day fell on 11-11-11, and the Japanese garden offered free admission. The day was cold, but it wasn't raining! We warmed up with a delicious lunch at elephant deli.

November sketches

2011-11-16T11:14:00.000-08:00

These sketches are from two different sketching days. On Nov 2nd I started out at Coffeehouse Northwest and just walked around the block to see what was interesting. On Veteran's Day I joined up with Alanna, Vicky, Kathryn and Cindy at the Japanese Garden. The day was cold but the colors in the garden were spectacular...too bad I was only using ink and not color. Again it is the architecture that I am drawn to... still trying to work on composition.

Back Stairs = Guest House

2011-11-14T06:40:00.000-08:00

Secluded stairway in a woodsy setting.

ASIFA Drink 'n Draw at the Peculiarium

2011-11-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

Some of us Portland Urban Sketchers tagged along with the Portland branch of ASIFA (Association International du Film d’Animation) for a Halloween Drink 'n Draw at The Peculiarium in Northwest Portland!

The ASIFA folks set up three light tables, and we were all encouraged to take turns making 10 frames of animation, following their simple guidelines. Alanna, Tad, and I each did one set. At the end, more experienced animators connected the end of each series with the beginning of the next to make seamless loops, after which we got to watch what we had done on the projection screen! It was awesome; I look forward to trying this again now that I have a little bit of a feel for how it turns out.

Here are some ASIFA folks at work on their animation frames (surrounded by the grotesque masks of the Peculiarium)...

The Peculiarium is a crazy place - an art gallery of the weird and macabre combined with a candy shop/novelty store/snack bar that will sell you meal worms to sprinkle on your ice cream, which you can eat as you stick your head up through the hole in the alien autopsy table.

Thanks for the fun, ASIFA, and thanks for the weird environs, Peculiarium!

Cirque de Soleil tent

2011-10-31T15:12:00.000-07:00

This tent had such as nice soft, organic form....although my drawing doesn't show any color, when I was drawing I was conscious of the contrast of the white tent against the background of the sky and freeway above. For the other drawing I swivelled 180 degrees to look toward the river front. These buildings must be old warehouses or factories...the one on the right has a great water tower on it which I wanted to include but didn't!...just poor composition planning.

Cavalia

2011-10-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

Last week, Deb and I sketched the Cavalia tent from an empty lot near NW 12th and Marshall.

When I sketched it, I noticed that there were rope ladders hanging from each of the tent peaks. The peaks are more than 100 feet tall. No sign of the 50 horses or acrobats, but maybe someone else will see them another day.

Now I'd like to see Deb's sketches and some from the Peculiarium.

Seattle Sketchcrawl

2011-10-22T15:57:00.000-07:00

Here are my sketches from the wonderful sketchcrawl in Seattle last weekend. Since Alanna and I sketched in the same places, you'll see some repeating scenes.

On the train ride north, we talked and sketched eachother, (as well as an agreeable young woman who offered to model for us). I think by about an hour into the trip, Kalina had convinced her to become an urban sketcher.:)

After the warm welcome from the Seattle Sketchers, I joined the group going to Pioneer Square.

The first sketch I did was of Merchants Cafe, Seattle's oldest restaurant. It still seems to be pretty busy.

Then I sketched in the park. Lots of tour groups left from here. There was an artist who was displaying his work in hopes of sales. In drawing the group, I was trying to put into practice Veronica Lawlor's symposium advice of seeing the group as one whole, rather than as individual people.

Windows and signs... It's pretty hard to imagine that rooms were once that cheap.

After the group sharing of sketchbooks, Gabi took us down by the ferries which were unloading huge numbers of soccer fans. I sketched the ivy covered viaduct. I'm hoping that Gabi will post his sketches, since some of us were lucky enough to have been sketched by him.

This man, all in purple head to toe, was smoking near the garbage can.

This family seemed to be waiting silently for a ferry to come in. Maybe they were entranced by the gorgeous bay and mountains.

It was a beautiful fall day in Seattle and it was very fun to meet the other sketchers and to sketch in their city. I'm looking forward to another group sketchcrawl together.

Algorithmic Walk around 23rd

2011-10-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

Last Wedneday I met up with Linda D and Vicky to try out the algorithmic walk that Colin had mentioned in a previous post as something interesting to do... The photos below are in reverse order (sorry something that I thought I had figured out but the blogger seems to have taken over). I started at Starbucks on 23rd and Hoyt ...the map below shows where I was and what direction the drawing was in relation to it.
I limited the drawings to 15 minutes and then followed the Algorithmic formula...first right, second right, second right, and repeat....
This is something I will do again. It's an exercise and a discipline that gets me out there to draw!

Seattle sketching

2011-10-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

33rd World Wide Sketchcrawl-Seattle

The Portland Urban Sketchers caught the train to Seattle for a gorgeous day of sketching in Seattle!

On the train, were Kalina, Joely, Sidne, Gregg, Vicky, Tad and me (Alanna)

It's a three hour trip with ample time for sketching, drinking coffee, reading and chatting.
Once we got to Seattle, wow, were we surprised by the great crowd of sketchers waiting to sketch with us! Thanks Seattle Sketchers for welcoming us! Portland's Bill Sharp was already in Seattle and was there to welcome us. 27 of us in all met at the train station and drew around the Pioneer Square and International District before meeting up to share our sketchbooks.
Here are some of my sketches:

After meeting up at the cafe, Gabi Campanario took us down to the waterfront for some sketching. It was such a gorgeous day--perfect sketching weather!

Back on the train (a day trip is hardly enough time to sketch Seattle properly), we enjoyed the gorgeous sunset skies over the sound from Seattle to Olympia). These two gals who I sketched below were very friendly. We gave them our blog address, so maybe they will see this sketch now that I finally blogged!

Back home, I had time, waiting for my bus, to do some night sketching, and capture Union Station.

This trip was so much fun that we're talking about making it an annual event! Stay tuned for a possible sketch trip to Whidbey Island in the summer!

Portland / Seattle USk meetup

2011-10-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

Portland / Seattle USk group photo

Laurie, who photographed the group

I joined 20 or so sketchers from the first Portland/Seattle joint sketchcrawl last Saturday for a glorious fall day of urban sketching.

We met at the train station and divided into 2 groups. One group went to the Pioneer Square area and I went with the other group to the International District.

My two sketches below. I hope others will share their work soon.

Seattle skyline from Hing Hay Park

Skyline from S 4th and Jackson

Gabi caught up with us later and we met at a coffee shop to share our work and pressure Gabi into revealing the location of the next Symposium.

Gabi led most of the Portland folks to the Ferry Terminal for a few last sketches before many of them had to board the train for home.

Fleeting Moments

2011-10-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

Sitting in a coffee shop in Beaverton a girl walks up to the counter, my friend with me says, "Sketch her." I quickly open my book bust out my pen and I sketch her as quick as I can, because in just a few seconds she'll move, or be gone. I try to remember the details, the colors, the pattern on her pants, the wrinkles in her sweatshirt, her lean. She is gone, and I fill in the background with little scratchy bits of pen here and there taking note of the details, colors, and textures. When I'm home I use my watercolors and pencils and fill in the colors and patterns from memory. A sketch, an idea, a fleeting moment, is captured.

Edge Coffee - Beaverton

A Portlander in Scotland

2011-10-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

As my fellow Portland urban sketchers are aware, I have just arrived back home after a wonderful 3 week visit to Europe. It had been many years since my last serious vacation and what might once have been a travel bug had swelled into a travel mammoth! It felt so good to be back in that traveler's mindset, thinking only about the day. What shall I sketch? What would I like for dinner? Perhaps I shall have a beer? I'm pretty sure I went at least five days in a row without once remembering that I work for a living - the traveling lifestyle swept me up that entirely.

The first two weeks were spent in Scotland, and have been reported extensively at my blog. Here are some sketching highlights from that time.

I flew out of Portland on September 1...

Made my "base of operations" in Glasgow (which I love), and managed to meet up with awesome Glasgow Urban Sketcher Stuart Kerr...

Did a couple of day trips to Edinburgh, which is possibly the most beautiful city I have laid eyes on (though my heart belongs to Glasgow)...

Then took train and bus to the Highland fishing village of Ullapool, where I did some hiking but also had wonderful views from cafes and pubs when the weather turned wet...

Traveled to the Isle of Skye, which was mostly a lost opportunity because weather was bad and most of the dramatic vistas were obscured...

Continued by bus, ferry, and train to gorgeous Glenfinnan, also in the Highlands and currently gaining some notoriety as a Harry Potter filming location...

After that, I visited with friends in London and then continued on to Belgium... but more on that soon!

It's not Portland but...

2011-09-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

... I figure urban sketching is urban sketching. I'm back to life in Portland, still trying to settle into a normal routine. No more wedding planning, or impending trips... Anyway, we had a honeymoon in New Orleans, and between site seeing this and that and while the wife napped I sketched and in the airports... I sketched. New Orleans has so much to see and has such a surprisingly vibrant art scene. If I wasn't on the honeymoon I probably would've drawn stuff all day. Anyway, a couple of sketches from the trip. Glad to be back, and hope to see some of you soon.

At the Zoo

2011-09-19T10:41:00.000-07:00

The session at the Oregon Zoo was very challenging for me. I have never had much practice and of course the animals almost never stood still! The Colobus Monkeys were spectacular with their striking contrast of white and black.....they seemed to be a little shy however and stayed in the far corner of the area.
The sketches of the Zebra and Gerenuk went reasonably well because they were relatively still during the whole time we were there. The Giraffe although pretty still while eating from the high wall was incredibly difficult because of it's strange head structure...or at least I thought so. I'll have to study up on this one!
Not so with the lions and elephants...the only one to stay put was the male lion and he was a pretty good distance from me.

The day ended with the Penguins. We got there right before feeding time and then they were pretty active! All told the day was fun and challenging.

travels east to Bristol RI

2011-09-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

Bristol is the home of Herreshoff boats and Museum and although no longer building boats the museum and shop are busy restoring and caring for their fleet of vintage Herreshoff designed vessels. On one of our first nights we sailed on 'Kestral' a Fisher Island 41 Herreshoff design. The wind was a fresh 15-20 knots so the sailing was dramatic....with some 'rails in the water' too. Wonderful!

Coggeshall Farm is another notable place in Bristol. It is on the pennisula of Poppasquash and is a 'living museum' relating the lifestyle of an early 18th century New England farm. It is a small operation with one couple living and working the farm. I was perched on an old rock wall while doing these drawings and wanted to continue some other scenes but a rooster thought I was pretty interesting and just wouldn't leave me alone....the crowing was annoying but the thing that eventually got me out of there was that one huge, sharp spur. I didn't think I wanted to stay and annoy him further!

The Herreshoff Museum also houses some great America's Cup memorabilia and this boat "Defiant'. Not sure but this could have been Dennis Connor's attempt to bring the Cup back after the Australians took it...it has one of those keels with double 'pontoons' on the bottom (not shown in drawing).

Off To Jersey...

2011-09-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

... to get married. Haven't been out with any of you to sketch in a long while. I've been busy planning a wedding. Heading to New Jersey in the morning. Figured I'd post one more Portland sketch before I head out. I'll join you all again in a few weeks. Have a new website set up to host my blog as well. Come on by and check it out. marcoserido.com

I apologize for most of my Urban Sketches being of the urban
dwellers, but it's what I love about living in an city. The people.

Time for a New Sketch

2011-09-01T15:11:00.000-07:00

Hey, Portland Urban Sketchers, have you noticed that our local blog is now shown on the sidebar to the Urban Sketchers blog? I have been very flattered to have my last post there for a week, but I think it's time for a new one. I think someone else should post, so to get you started, I'm putting this up. This is a sketch of a young woman in Laurelhurst Park who had her keyboard attached to her bike. She was practicing her music in the shade of the trees the other day, and it was lovely. I bet someone else has a nice summer sketch to post now. (Hint, hint.)

Post Lisbon Symposium Lunch at Gregg's

2011-08-20T18:41:00.000-07:00

Gregg invited the Portland Urban Sketchers to his home so the Lisbon Symposium participants could share their experiences and sketchbooks with the rest of us. We were able to peruse the sketchbooks of Alanna, Linda, and Gregg and look over the books and souvenirs that they brought back. They told us what they learned and generously let us pour over their work.

Then Gregg fed us a delicious lunch and we were able to talk and, of course, sketch. It was a lovely afternoon. Thank you, all---and especially Gregg.

Here are some photos (sorry I didn't catch Linda E., Bill, or Jan) and my little sketches from lunch.

Mt. Tabor

2011-08-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

A little watercolor sketch that I did up at Mt. Tabor yesterday. Marta and I

met at Cooper's Coffee and then headed up to the park to do some sketching.

It was fun!!! I'd like to do more sketching during the weekdays!

In looking at this sketch I notice how all the buildings are slanted to the right,

as if they're sliding...I have a tendency to tilt to the right!

Karlene

Impressions of Lisbon by Linda Engstrom

2011-08-13T14:07:00.000-07:00

I spent two weeks in Portugal and took over 500 photographs along with filling my sketchbook! What struck me about Lisbon were the wonderful and varied patterns ....coming from the intricately cobbled streets and sidewalks, to the tiled houses and walls, to the varied patterns of light and shadow on the many narrow winding and hilly streets. The buildings were amazingly intricate, and the grid-lines of trolley wires above many of the streets added another layer of pattern over everything. Our plain concrete sidewalks here in Portland seem very boring now! I even managed to bring home an actual Lisbon cobble stone (from a pile on the sidewalk where they were doing some repairs)

We met the first day in the large yellow-walled courtyard of the art college...

Then, after introductions and meeting with our individual instructors, we fanned out onto the streets of Lisbon for our first 3 hour workshop!

Two of my favorite instructors were Pedro Fernandes and Joao Moreno, both from Portugal.

Following a vertical axis across the narrow cobbled street....with my sandeled foot leading the way! So little time and soooo much to draw!!@!

Sketching went on even during the lunch hour...this small restaurant had the typical blue and white Portuguese tiles covering the walls.

We all gathered for the world-wide sketch crawl until the light faded on the Terreiro do Paco..... (Alanna in Blue shirt)

Just a sampling of a great trip that I hated to see end!

From Lisbon we traveled by bus and train to Sintra,Obidos ,and Belem....then rented a car and drove to the Algarve region on the Southern Coast. That's another story ....to be told later. ( a visual overload!!!!)

Urban Sketching Symposium in Lisbon

2011-08-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

Gregg, Linda and I all attended the symposium in Lisbon, Portugal this summer. Gregg is nice enough to host us at his house so that the three of us can share with our fellow sketchers our experiences and a little of what we learned. Please visit our google calendar (link on the left side bar) for details of that gathering.

Sketches of our experience will start to trickle on to this blog sooner than later, I'm sure. Please visit my blog Painted Cats for some of my photo highlights!

White Eagle Saloon, N Russell & N Mississippi

2011-07-29T20:49:00.000-07:00

Vicky and I were starting our sketches of the White Eagle Saloon when a car parked and blocked our view....some poor planning on our part but we kind of felt that he could have chosen another parking spot one car back. Oh well! This drawing was well enough along to feel OK about it in this state. I then added a map of the site...I have been wanting to do something with maps for some time. It didn't exactly turn out as I'd hoped but the idea is still gelling and so there will be other opportunities.

I loved the area around N Russell and think it has lots of potential so I will be going back there to explore some more. All told a 'good day'.

July 23 Sketchcrawl in North Portland

2011-07-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

I joined a group of Portland Urban Sketches to take advantage of a rare sunny day and revisit the neighborhood near the White Eagle Saloon.

This neighborhood is sort of being gentrified but it's adjacent to freeway overpasses and rail yards that make it noisy and a brewery, which makes it smelly.

It was fun to see everyone and enjoy a day drawing in the sun.

Trek in the Park, Star trek episode 'Mirror, Mirror'

2011-07-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

Had a great time at Trek in the Park!

When I arrived around 2:00 I was surprised to see how many people were already set up and seated around the amphitheater .

I found Kalina across the way though settled in a prime spot for viewing. This guy close by brought out a special Dr Who cake to celebrate his birthday (that day). The excitement was evident, everyone came prepared to have fun and enjoy...even if they had to be there hours before the main event. And the Atomic Arts group delivered a funny, clever and entertaining Star Trek episode Mirror, Mirror. A great day!

Sauvie Island - Pumpkin Patch Farm

2011-07-11T11:43:00.000-07:00

It was a pretty hot day at the Pumpkin Patch but there was some shade from which to draw some of the farm equipment and views of the hills.

One of the other sketchers (Sidne?) identified these produce loaders for me...otherwise I hadn't a clue what they were.

North and South

2011-07-10T21:56:00.000-07:00

Recently four of us met up just north of Portland at Pumpkin Patch Farm on Sauvie Island, where we tried our pens at fields, the animal barn, and old farm equipment.

A couple days later on the 4th of July, my partner and I headed south to Oregon City, the oldest incorporated town west of the Rockies. I tried to capture the complicated Willamette Falls and paper mills. Willamette Falls was originally a natural wonder, but now it's an industrial cyborg designed to harness energy for the mills. Complicated but fun to draw.

Portland

2011-07-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

Sticking with our Balloon Theme: Portland's 'Up' House

Today I went downtown to sketch Portland's 'Up' House. According to the Oregonian newspaper http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/06/in_downtown_portland_a_lawyer.html, this 1894 Victorian was threatened by our public transportation agency with possession by eminent domain so that a new lightrail turnaround could be built. The lawyer who works in the house had refused to sell. Eventually, the surrounding property was purchased by Portland State University and a new residence hall is now being built around the house. The relationship between the attorney and the construction company is good and this week the company helped to anchor 400 helium balloons to a cord that runs through the chimney. As I was sketching, a few other people came by for photos. I heard one young woman say, "This is the kind of thing that makes me so glad I live in Portland." I have to agree.

I did the sketch quickly while standing and it's kind of wonky, but I'm glad I was there to record it before the balloons deflate. Portland Urban Sketchers, you might want to get down to capture this--especially if you're an architect!

Tigard's Balloon Festival

2011-06-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

Going to a Balloon Festival to see the balloons launch means getting there at 5:30 am. I felt like quite the dedicated sketcher when my alarm went off at 4:45am. Armed with strong coffee, my camp chair and my sketching gear, I tried my best to capture these beautiful balloons.

Here's one sketch.

Maybe I should have shown the sketches first THEN the beautiful photos!

I sketched these on pages of my Flexi Sketch sketchbook that in some cases I had already added splashes of watercolor and even pasted on some random scraps of paper. I've had fun playing with water color paint while I watch movies. I'm finding that I sketch a little more freely on these pages that aren't glaringly white, which is a nice bonus!

Sketches also were posted on my blog

Canvas Art Bar

2011-06-24T00:29:00.000-07:00

Stopped in at the Canvas this past Monday. Enjoyed drawing the model. Came away with one sketch I think is worth posting. Hoping to get out to more of these live model sessions. They seem to be very helpful and I enjoy them quite a bit.

Riversplace Sketces

2011-06-14T17:11:00.000-07:00

I thought I might get back to Riverplace on another sunny day to add some color to my sketches, but it hasn't happened yet. On this first sketch, part way through, I realized that I was drawing two boats instead of one, so I added the little one in front to make it three. The boat in the foreground really wasn't that short, but if it were, I think I'd like to zip around in it.

Here are a few of the others sketchers. My apologies to those included.

Hat not yet red.

It was a great day to be out sketching with the Portland US. Now, I'd like to see Kalina's boat with laundry, so I know what colors to paint mine.

Multnomah Village Sketchcrawl

2011-06-10T16:34:00.000-07:00

Portland Urban Sketchers went to Multnomah Village to sketch.
I copied Mike and tried sketching some of the signs

I love eating at Marco's Cafe, so I figured I should try to sketch it.

I don't usually draw hydrants, but I thought I'd give it a shot:

This is one of my favorite sketches....I find that I love to draw people, and especiall trying to draw someone I know! Here's Mike Porter sketching in the Lucky Lab

street scenes

sacrificed drawing, but I figured I'd post it anyway. It was about sitting there, in the sun, pen to paper, definitely not about the end result!

Open Studio: Linda Daily's Piece of Cake Papers

2011-06-08T16:05:00.000-07:00

Linda Daily recently invited us in to her new studio space

so that we could peek in to her sketchbooks

get some decorating tips,

and daydream

about our own future studio space

a place for our art books

and inspiration boards.

Thank you, Linda, for letting us come take a peek!

Riverplace sketching

2011-06-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

I agree with Alanna about those...bridges! My eyes seem to skim over those pesky details and then I am disappointed after to see that I have created something that doesn't really exist.
Below is my corresponding sketch of Carrie. Since I am not a people person my drawing is more about the things surrounding Carrie than a portrait. It was a fun sketching day on the waterfront.

Sketching at Riverplace

2011-06-07T16:01:00.001-07:00

Portland Urban Sketchers met at The Riverplace.

Riverplace was developed at the south part of the Tom McCall Waterfront Park after the Harbor Freeway was replaced by the park in the 1970's. It's got a little marina, some restaurants, and some shops as well as apartments and condos and the Riverplace Hotel. The greenway extends north through Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park up to Steel Bridge and, eventually, south through the South Waterfront. You can watch the Dragonboat races from here during the Rose Festival (or watch the teams practice during the year). Riverplace is connected to downtown and the South Waterfront development by the Portland Streetcar.The Streetcar is in Fareless Square - pretty handy. (source: portland-neighborhoods

I realized that sketching these fancy boats are as much fun as sketching cars.

I did get a good likeness of Carrie, sketching happily in the sun.

I'm always tempted to draw these darn bridges we've got everywhere, but every time I curse their complicatedness.

I finished a sketchbook while out, so I started a Flexi Sketch. With its 300 pages, I should be working in it for a while!

I tried to capture kalina in that great hat of hers.

I also tried to capture the sail boat with laundry handing out and man in hammock, a dragon boat, and dogs...

River Place Marina in Downtown Portland

2011-06-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

(click image to enlarge)

We all met in front of the Little River Cafe right in front of all kinds of river worthy craft just waiting for some warm weather and today we had it. I saw Alanna and Kalina at a large table scanning the view. Deb showed up right after me then Vicky and Linda. There was just so much going on and so much to draw, we all thought we could sketch here for a month. I got a few I'm happy with. Thanks for looking.

Carrie

I saw Deb was sketching me so I did a quick one of her!

Turned out Vicky new this couple that had leaned their bikes against the tree so I added their names under their sketch. Pretty soon the rest of our group will add their sketches and drawings so come back soon.

Multnomah Village sketchcrawl

2011-06-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

Multnomah Village is an enclave of small shops and cafes.

Viewed as a visitor it has all of the components of a destination trip...
including the traffic and cars parked along the streets. It seemed a little busy for me so I went looking for a place where I could see the shops without cars parked in front. Later on I got interested in all of the traffic signs at this busy intersection.

Oregon Society of Artists

2011-05-29T13:45:00.001-07:00

Alanna:
Here is the link to OSA http://www.oregonsocietyofartists.com/

Check out our newsletter:
http://www.oregonsocietyofartists.com/brushmarks/brushmarks.pdf and
note the free event on June 9th, we would love it if you or anyone
fromthe group would come. It is free with a free lunch.
William Woods

Cloudrest Vineyard sketching

2011-05-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

A small group of us met at Cloudrest Vineyard to sketch on Sunday and it worked out well until the afternoon and then the rain came in a downpour!

Linda has posted a group photo of our sketchbooks to the Portland Urban Sketchers facebook page.

Sketching at Linda Engstrom's Vineyard

2011-05-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Several of us met at Linda's vineyard in Hillsboro for a soggy sketch session.

Linda gave us a tour of the property and then we had a relatively dry hour or two to draw.

Our other host for the day was Luka, one year old ball of energy.

Don Colley, visiting from Chicago, joined us for the day.

Deb found a sheltered spot on the deck to draw until lunch.

Greg, Kalina and Deb chat before starting in after lunch.

Marco distracts Luka for a minute.

Thanks to Linda and her husband, Fred and, of course, Luka, for their warm hospitality. Hopefully others will share their drawings from the day.

Horse Brass Pub and Movie Madness etc. weekend

2011-05-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

Our day sketching at Horse Brass Pub and Movie Madness had lots of potential but was a pretty crummy day for sketching outside. The outside sketch was done earlier in the day after we met up at The Red Square Cafe but after that it was all inside!!

On Sunday I traveled to a winery out in Hillsboro (Willa Kenzie Estates). The ride was fun but again the rain just drove us inside. Fortunately we were prepared and brought lots of goodies to snack on between wine tasting (the others were tasting- I was drawing!)

Belmont

2011-05-08T15:48:00.000-07:00

Some of us met up on SE Belmont at the Red Square Cafe for a rainy day sketchcrawl.

I didn't realize it until I got there that I was at the last page of my sketchbook! So, my sketches were all crammed together.

From Red Square, we checked out Movie Madness...where I drew a costume

Movie Madness At 33,000 DVD titles and 27,000 VHS titles, if Movie Madness isn’t the largest video store in the world, then it’s certainly a contender. Officially recognized by the Southern California Motion Picture Council for its outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry, Movie Madness is to movies what Powell’s is to books. And then there’s the museum. Yup, museum. In addition to the rental side of the business, owner Mike Clark – let’s just say a character in himself – has accumulated prop and wardrobe memorabilia from some of the biggest blockbusters ever to come out of the ‘wood. What this means is that, in the very same store that you’re renting your Hitchcock, the knife from “Psycho” awaits you. Or maybe you’re more interested in the alien head from “Aliens” or the time machine from “H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine.” Costumes worn by Barbra Streisand to Diane Keaton to Mike Myers are displayed as are all the lead actors’ wardrobes from “West Side Story.”

From there, we headed over to Horse Brass Pub, a traditional English pub. It was dark and full of items on the walls and bar. "it's going to be sketchy" said Deb, and she's right...I very sketchily sketched the pub.

I sketched these on the end paper of the sketchbook...
...a black and white photo of Winston Churchill on the wall

Vicky and I headed over to Tabor Space

where i experimented with a new sketchbook and a water soluble graphite pencil that i wasn't used to. Result was that i didn't like the sketch, so i sketched right on top of it with a bold black pen....

and then the best part of the day was asking if it was alright if we could draw during a drum circle. What fun! I really enjoyed sketching while these folks kept the rhythm!

Drawing in the Dark and to the beat of Drums

2011-05-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

Today, some of the Portland Urban Sketchers sketched at the Horse Brass Pub. Here is my contribution, which is really an example of not knowing when to quit. My first mistake was putting a column almost dead-center in the sketch. I used pen and ink, then added watercolor, and when I got home, I decided to try to add a brown wash to everything except the kitchen window (center) to try to convey the dark interior. Didn't really work, so I added more ink (both black and white) until finally, I decided to stop. If you want to see a good example of dark pub drawing, look at Pete Scully's work instead. Still, I tried lots of things and I know I got some new knowledge from the experience.

Next, Alanna and I carried on to TaborSpace and I drew some comfy chairs.

And then, the best part: Alanna asked if we could draw the drum circle that was practicing there. That was fantastic! With the pounding drums, it's easy to just get into the rhythm of gesture drawing and somehow the ink just flows. They were very a very welcoming group and it was a great way to end the day's sketching.

Thanks to my sketching buddies for another fun day!

Sunny Days

2011-04-29T11:27:00.000-07:00

With the rain finally becoming more intermittent, the people of Portland have taken to the streets, parks, patios, causeways, and food carts in droves! This past Saturday, was exceptionally beautiful, and the Saturday Market was packed! Runners, bikers, walkers, kite-flyers, layabouts, eaters, shoppers, and ware-peddlers alike converged on the waterfront soaking up as much sun as possible in preparation for the dismal week to come. Once again, however, the sun is teasing us with thoughts of warmth and radiance over the coming weekend, and I for one, plan on soaking it in.

Canvas Art Bar, monday night model

2011-04-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

Monday night at Canvas Art Bar the model had on this really bizarre dress of polypropylene string. I wish I could have done justice to it and to her great profile but it was too challenging for me so I resorted back to my comfort zone... fudging the details.

Tall Ships, two days

2011-04-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

These are the result of two days sketching the tall ships 'Lady Washington' & 'Hawaiian Chieftain'. The first on a beautiful day last Saturday in St Helens and yesterday between rain storms at the Vancouver dock.

Linda was in Vancouver too and after looking at some of her detailes of the ships I was encouraged to do some also.

Lady Washington in Vancouver

2011-04-26T20:20:00.001-07:00

Lady Washington in Vancouver, a set on Flickr.

I snapped a few pictures while waiting for my husband's bus. That's all the time I had today.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tafrin/sets/72157626463482009/
A bit windy there but the sunshine was so nice!
Here's a few pics of the ships.

SketchCrawl - Tall Ships & Pirates in St. Helens, Oregon

2011-04-24T10:26:00.001-07:00

The tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain are docked at St. Helens, Oregon, for Easter weekend. A large group of reenactment folks and pirates came out to meet them on Saturday... and so did four of the Portland Urban Sketchers.

We got to St. Helens early in order to spend the entire morning with the ships. Unfortunately, due to a very slow lunch service, the morning was pretty much all we had - we ran out of time for our intended second session and none of us felt at all done with the ships when they pulled out to commence the Battle Sail. I had only just started to figure out the shapes of the ships and the particular problems of drawing complicated vessels like these, with all the copious ropes and lines and their relationship to the masts and sails. I could use a lot more sketching time with the tall ships!

Once the ships left, we switched to sketching the costumed officers, ladies, and pirates. The black line drawings were done with the Noodler's Flex fountain pen, which seemed to be working better for me this weekend - I loved using it for these sketches.

The costumed lady really was dispensing herbal remedy prescriptions.

Worldwide Sketchcrawl

2011-04-21T20:57:00.000-07:00

The Portland Urban Sketchers met at (A) Tabor Space coffeehouse before walking up to Mt. Tabor (B)

where we found this gorgeous view

According to Wikipedia, Before becoming part of Portland in 1905, Mount Tabor was a rural farming community dating back to the 1850s. It became a city-recognized neighborhood (encompassing a far smaller area than its historical boundaries) in 1974. Mt. Tabor is a volcanic cinder cone.

I attempted to draw that view...

and then compiled a few more sketches.

According to Mt. Tabor neighborhood association: Mt. Tabor Park is a special park in many ways. It has views identified as some of the most scenic in the City, due to its elevation of 643 feet, as well as the beautiful open reservoirs. It was the largest park in Portland for nearly half a century, until Forest Park was finally created in 1947. Mt. Tabor Park is a hard-working park that earns its keep. It even generates it's own electricity to light the lovely historic lampposts that follow the original roads and paths in the park.

Five reservoirs, two large open reservoirs and one small tank, were built on Mt. Tabor in a striking romanesque style that dates to the era of the City Beautiful movement. All but one of these reservoirs have continued to serve Portland for more than a hundred years. Reservoir 2, along SE Division St. was taken offline and sold for development, in the 1990's. The remaining three open reservoirs are currently under threat of demolition.

We walked up to Caldera Public House (C) for lunch and some sharing of our sketches. I did a quick sketch of the Urban Sketchers..

Then, Deb, Kalina and I went to the Oregon convention Center for the Stumptown Comics Fest. We participated in a Dr. Sketchy's Anti-art school and drew some costumed models.

A great day and a great sketchcrawl!

Workshop with Veronica Lawlor and Margaret Hurst

2011-04-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

I thought some of the Portland sketchers might be interested in this workshop that is taking place in Seattle July 8-11. Might be somewhat of a consolation for those of us who are not making it to Lisbon this summer.

Veronica made a very powerful presentation of her 9-11 sketches during the past Urban Sketchers Symposium.

There is another workshop that she is teaching in San Francisco, let me know if you are interested and I will send you more information.

Mt Tabor Sketchscrawl

2011-04-19T08:00:00.001-07:00

Here is one of my sketches from our sketchcrawl at Mt Tabor on April 15, 2011

William Woods

Mt Tabor reservoir and Stumpton Comic Fest

2011-04-18T09:40:00.000-07:00

Mt Tabor reservoir offered some architecturally interesting buildings and great views of Portland skyline on this cloudy and cool morning. But it became increasingly cooler and it was good to get to lunch at Caldera.

After lunch Alanna, Kalina and I moved to the Convention Center and the Stumptown Comic Fest.

It was great to see all of the artwork and talk to some of the 'tablers'.

At 3:00 we joined a good sized group in room 105 to participate in 'Dr Sketchy's Anti Art School' What fun! There was a 'goon' and two 'dolls' (or 'molls'?). I couldn't stay for the full session so missed the longer poses but it was great fun to draw these real life action figures!

An old lady and a smart phone...

2011-04-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

While on the MAX between Sunset Transit Center and Goose Hollow I observed an elderly woman and her smart phone. She seemed very intent on getting something worked out on the contraption. It must be crazy for someone in their 70′s to hold in their hands something like a smart phone. I mean, I have trouble keeping up with technology and I pretty much grew up alongside the advent of computers, cell phones, video games, and other assorted electronica. I’m blown away by smart phone technology. That woman probably started out using the early rotary dial telephones… and now she holds in her hands, a source for a good percentage of the information one is able to attain.

Sketching on the way home after the Max Yellow Line

2011-04-14T14:41:00.001-07:00

On the way home after sketching on the Max Yellow Line, I saw a couple of signs that I had to sketch. So, I went back and made a few more sketches (I didn't limit myself to the 15 minutes between trains).

-sketched by Anne Henderson

wake up and smell the cherry blossoms

2011-04-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday of this week I was waiting for the bus downtown and the sun was out, the sky was blue and I was enjoying the cherry blossoms at the Unitus Plaza. I started this little sketch and was struck by the fact that people were passing by, so engrossed in their cell phones that they weren't even noticing the beautiful (and rare) beautiful Spring day!

Travel on the Yellow Line

2011-04-13T16:47:00.000-07:00

It so happened last week prior to the yellow Line sketch crawl, I had an appointment on N. Mississippi St. and decided it would be a nice change to go by light rail. I got off on the Prescott stop, one beyond Overlook Park. Skidmore goes over I-5 and another couple blocks or so you are at Prost and the Mississippi Food Carts. I had given myself a little extra time to have a brew and sketch on a sunny afternoon.

Yellow Line Sketching

2011-04-10T17:03:00.000-07:00

On Saturday morning I wasn't feeling great and had a lot to get done, but couldn't resist joining the sketchcrawl anyway.

I drew feet as we rode on the train, and then we arrived at Union Station where obviously I was having trouble focusing on any one thing...

We got a good view of the grain elevator structures from Rose Quarter station. Along with the Kuretake Brush Writer in light gray, I used Noodler's Whaleman's Sepia ink which is more of a warm gray than an actual sepia. This ink came to me by way of Goulet Pen's "Ink Drop" monthly ink sample club, which I have to recommend - it's a great service.

Albina/Mississippi Station is surrounded with great views. I tried to catch the Fremont Bridge. This is with Noodler's Whaleman's Sepia and the Brush Writer again.

Overlook Park Station actually didn't offer an "overlook" from the station itself, so I sketched Tony sketching. This is lovely Diamine Red Dragon ink (another Goulet Pens Ink Drop sample) in a Lamy Safari... but I topped up the cartridge with some J. Herbin Ambre de Birmanie which is probably starting to affect the color by adding a slight orange tone.

Then I skipped ahead to Kenton. This was sketched through a window from Kenton Station, where I had a sandwich for lunch and our server was charismatic.

Riding and Sketching the Yellow Line

2011-04-10T15:02:00.000-07:00

Portland Urban Sketchers went on a sketchcrawl inspired by the Seattle Sketchers who sketched public art at Light Rail stations around Seatlle. We took TriMet's MAX (Metropolitan Area Express) Light Rail

yellow line from downtown up to North Portland.

We met on PSU's campus and boarded the first train at 9:45am

We got off at select stops to sketch at, giving ourselves only the approximately 15 minutes to sketch before boarding the next train.

This would have been even more enjoyable if it hadn't bee so cold, although it did warm up after our lunch.

All in all, a great way to explore the city and practice fast sketching. We'll definitely do this again!

more of my sketches from the day:

Thanks Bob!

2011-04-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks goes out to Bob for letting us peruse his library of art books and browse his vast collection of sketchbooks and artwork on Saturday. I was impressed by the quality and volume of Bob's work. It was a nice way to spend an afternoon, discussing techniques, supplies, and art in general. Very cool.

Urban Sketching Workshop was a success!

2011-03-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

Matthew Brehm led a fantastic workshop to 36 participants in the community room of the People's Food Co-op in Southeast Portland

He got everyone started drawing from a photograph.

He went through a lot of information in a clear and concise way, with some strategies to use and the chance to practice those techniques with quick 2 minute sketching exercises.

We met up again at pioneer courthouse square.

He gave us pointers and an assignment, then sent us out to sketch.

Matthew came around and gave tips and pointers

Sketchers trying to stay dry.

this guy kept me dry and gave me the opportunity to practice framing.

This is my favorite sketch of the day. I like the little thumbnail of the crane on the top left corner, and then i liked capturing Tony sketching from the dry, covered area at Director's Park.

At the end of the day, we met up at the central library to share sketches

and of course, talk about pens.

Matthew let us peek at the pages of his journal...very inspiring!

Brooklyn Neighborhood

2011-03-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

It had been a while since I had gone out with the group and it was nice to see everyone and sketch in an area of town I don't often find myself. Architecture and buildings aren't really my thing, but it's a good thing to do from time to time, and being out with the group is a fun way to expand my horizons. I drew the pharmacy and a couple quick sketches of the group. I seem to be sitting on the roof of the building across the street, but I seem to alter the perspective to this aerial view from time to time. My butt was on the ground, my eyes were on the telephone pole...

Aladdin Theater

2011-03-21T12:32:00.001-07:00

I met up with our local urban sketching group for coffee then sketching, then for lunch at the Twilight Cafe, when we chatted and passed around our sketch books. The rain clouds threatened but withheld their store, and the sun even peeped out for a few minutes that day! It felt great to sketch outside for a change especially since I had such good company.

I sketched this familiar landmark in SE Portland. The sign has a certain charm for me, although I don't think I have ever been inside the theater. I see from their website that the theater has gone through several big changes through the years, from a vaudeville house in the 20's to specializing in family movies in the 50's, then to X-rated movies in the 70's and 80's. In 1993 it was renovated and started a new life as a venue for live music, as it continues now. I'll have to check out the inside sometime.

Brooklyn Neighborhood Sketchcrawl

2011-03-21T12:07:00.001-07:00

Here are my contributions from the Brooklyn Neighborhood Sketchcrawl. While most of the group sketched the storefronts on SE Milwaukie, I was attracted to this bit of blight in the other direction.

We met for lunch at the Twilight Lounge and I immortalized Kalina and Anthony in my moleskine.

Brooklyn Neighborhood Sketchcrawl

2011-03-19T22:54:00.000-07:00

The Portland Urban Sketchers met to sketch in southeast Portland in a neighborhood called Brooklyn. Wikipedia has some interesting history on the neighborhood:
The area of the neighborhood was inhabited by Clackamas people before settlement by whites. The first white settler in the area of was Giddeon Tibbets, who acquired the land in the Donation Land Claim Act of 1850. He settled the area in 1851, building a family home and grist mill. Tibbets named the area "Brookland" due to the river, creeks, and lakes on his property. In 1868 Tibbets subdivided the property into smaller lots and allowed the Oregon Central Railroad to cross the property. The rail line and the subdivision quickly brought in a large number of residents to the neighborhood, which acquired its current name of "Brooklyn". The influx lead to the construction of a town square at the corner of Powell Boulevard and Milwaukie Avenue. In the 1890s, the neighborhood received an influx of largely Roman Catholic German-Americans. The neighborhood continues to bear the traces of this period today, with several older German-American businesses, as well as the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the 1891 Johan Poulsen House.
In the 1920s, the neighborhood changed drastically as a part of a city-wide construction effort. The construction of the Ross Island Bridge over the Willamette destroyed the town square. At the same time, many of the streams and ponds in the neighborhood were filled in. The construction of McLoughlin Boulevard (Oregon Route 99E) severed the neighborhood's connection to the Willamette waterfront. The construction of an overpass on 17th avenue also divided the neighborhood in two.

We had a good turnout: Bill, Marco, Kalina, Janene, Louise, Jill, William (a new sketcher!), Tony, Colin and Luna, oh and the girl who was biking past and sat next to Jill to sketch!

We started out at True Brew coffee shop on Milwaukie, but hurried outside to take advantage of the blue sky (that was more gray by the time I took photos).

Many of us sketched the Aladdin, but Bill decided to look the other way and capture the German-American essence of the neighborhood.

I found that a lot of folks were interested in what we were doing.

It was a loud place to sit and sketch, but I think we all enjoyed ourselves. It's always fun to sit as a big group and sketch, too. We definitely attract attention that way, too!

Me and Luna, the youngest Portland Urban Sketcher drew each other.

We found a decent vantage point from which to draw the Poulsen House.

Here are my sketches from the day:

for some reason some of them are turning on their side and there's nothing I can do to rotate them. They are uploaded the way I want them, but they flip on bloggers end of things. anyway, stretch your neck a bit to view these.

quick sketch, knowing we'd go to lunch soon

At the Twilight Cafe & Bar for lunch.

Poulsen house:

A great day for a sketchcrawl! Thanks everyone for making today a good day!

Urban Sketching Workshop, March 26

2011-03-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

The Urban Sketching Workshop is filling up fast! Only 8 more spaces available before you're on the waiting list! To secure your spot in this workshop, please email alannarandall AT yahoo.com to receive payment instructions and then send in your payment ASAP.

Ringler's Annex

2011-03-05T15:38:00.001-08:00

I met up with Colin, Deb, Kalina, Vicky and Alanna near W Burnside this morning. We were expecting rain and cold but were pleasantly surprised with just cold. This sketch is of the Ringler's Annex pub which also happens to be where we met for lunch.

I enjoyed seeing you all today. Looking forward to next time.

Coffee Heads

2011-02-27T21:14:00.001-08:00

Our sketchcrawl yesterday didn't actually involve much crawling. It was cold out, so we stayed in Stumptown Coffee Roasters and sketched. Having tired of drawing coffee cups and pastries over the past several weeks, I chose to draw the customers (no elipses are required).

Presidents' Day Sketches from the Pearl

2011-02-24T20:49:00.000-08:00

This is a view of Cargo from the corner of 19th and Flanders. I added the color at home from what I remembered. Cargo is a feast of color, so there was far more color than what I could remember.

Inside, I drew this buddha which is the same one that I drew in pen and ink and colored on a previous visit. There's something about a buddha face that I find very challenging. I think it has to do with the look of serenity.

Presidents Day sketching

2011-02-23T10:22:00.000-08:00

I had a birds eye view of the Eco Trust parking lot from the nice roof top patio. My first 'warm up ' drawing didn't make the cut but this one seemed to be OK.

After lunch four of us traveled over to Cargo, a shop on 13th and Flanders (?) I had never been there before and Colin is right when he says it is close to sensory overload. I finally picked out these very obliging models. A fun place to draw! Vicky said that the guy on the left had a different hat when she visited Cargo before...I wonder if the 'birthday' hat was to comemorate Presidents Day?

Ecotrust Building 2-21-11

2011-02-22T08:29:00.000-08:00

Here's the sketch I did at the Ecotrust building yesterday, unfinished. This was a real challenge, trying to get the perspective correct, and now I notice that my wooden pillars are all at different angles! I think that the saying, "I can't be an artist, I can't even draw a straight line!" is hilarious!

Obviously, I can't draw a straight line either! Very cool old brick building, with raw wooden pillars and rafters, and I loved the old wood floor. If I actually finish this piece I will post that version too!

President's Day Sketchcrawl - EcoTrust Building

2011-02-21T21:07:00.000-08:00

A few of us took advantage of the public holiday today to do some sketching in and around the EcoTrust Building in the Pearl District.

I spent most of my time working on a single large spread made up of smaller images...


Left to right: Ruined wall in parking lot, Vespa, view from the roof of the Eco Trust Building, Stone Lantern at 'Cargo' store

After lunch we walked over to the import store 'Cargo' on 13th and Flanders to draw some funky Asian imports. This is a great place to draw, and the staff are really accommodating to sketchers, but with so many things to draw it's serious sensory overload. There really is such a thing as too much of a good thing! I finally settled in the room where they keep all the Buddha statues...

After Cargo we had coffee at Lovejoy Bakery, showed off our second round of drawings, and then went our separate ways. It was great to see everyone and talk pens, paint, and drawing styles. Good times!

The Hills Are Alive~ Fog and Rain

2011-02-14T18:21:00.000-08:00

My view of the West Hills today over the Goose Hollow neighborhood was pretty lack luster but it begged a little attention. Hope your Valentines day was sweet and red. Carrie (Blog)

Portrait Party

2011-02-12T16:39:00.000-08:00

Portland weather means more indoor sketching during the cold and rainy winter months. Often the subject is whatever you can see from the cozy confines of a cafe couch, but this Tuesday we got together to draw a very specific subject - each other!

The portrait party is not a new idea - there are plenty of examples online - but it was the first time for the Portland Urban Sketchers Group to try it.

We gathered at the Columbia River Brewing Company Pub in Portland's Hollywood District and, after drinks and dinner, got to drawing.

We worked on pre-made portrait blanks 8.5"x7" in size on heavy bond paper, specifically designed to copy easily onto legal-sized paper in the second part of the party. Attendees were asked to bring drawing media that photocopied well - pigment liner pens, black brush pens, black ink, or very dark pencil are best.

Partners were chosen randomly, and each partner took a turn drawing and being drawn. Each partner was drawn twice - a 2-minute warmup followed by a full 10-minute drawing.

(We had an odd number of people this time. Vicky was kind enough to sit out the regular drawing round and do a number of thumbnail sketches instead. Then she sat for multiple artists in an extra round of drawing while we got sorted. Thanks, Vicky!)

When the drawings were done, one drawing of each person was turned in for collating. Occasionally people prefer their looser, more gestural 2-minute drawing over the 10-minute one, but ultimately it's left up to the artist and model to decide. The short drawing times help level the playing field between artists of different skill levels, making beginners less anxious to attend!

Drawings in hand, we headed to the Fedex copy center a few blocks away for the next step - turning our drawings into a book!

The portraits were collated and copied into book format so each page spread showed a pair of portraits. Each full sheet was a legal-sized piece of paper, making each page 8.5" high by 7" wide. We also added an introduction page in front and Vicky's thumbnail sketches in the back. During copying, other members were hard at work preparing the other pieces of the book...

We folded heavy art paper for the covers - Mi-Teintes or similar paper is good for this - and attached pre-made title cards to the front covers using a glue stick.

We cut and waxed white linen thread for the spine-stitching. After pages and covers were assembled, we used a 5-hole pamphlet stitch to bind the whole thing together and...

Finished! The first Portland Urban Sketchers Portrait Party book ever. We made one copy for each attendee, plus an extra copy for our very patient waitress from the pub, delivered to her after the event.

Here's a sample spread from inside - Alanna and Katherine taking turns drawing each other...

All told, the process took about 3 hours including dinner, explaining the process, drawing, and making the actual book. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, so hopefully we will do this again next winter!

If you are interested in learning more about the portrait party process, you might want to check out this excellent post from Roz Stendahl which acted as a guide for our own party. In addition, Flickr users may be interested in the Julia Kay Portrait Party group, an ongoing online portrait party with over 10,000 portraits and growing!

Backspace Cafe

2011-02-03T15:30:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my little Backspace Cafe piece that I started with the

sketchcrawl and went back a few days later and finished.

Great Era store in Chinatown

2011-01-28T16:32:00.000-08:00

I finally completed this sketch that I started a while ago of the Great Era Oriental goods

store at 3rd & Everett in Chinatown. I loved the window display which included parsols and

all kinds of interesting vases and statues.

Art Museum and the Group Sketchbook

2011-01-25T18:32:00.000-08:00

During the sketchcrawl, I took the opportunity to go to the art museum to finish my pages in the group sketchbook. It took another day to go back and get the colors.These were some sketches from the sculpture garden.

Now the sketchbook will get passed on. I have some more sketches from the Portland Urban Sketching events on my blog: draw2c.blogspot.com, and there are a lot because we've been getting out frequently. It's always a pleasure to see everyone and look at the wonderful variety of sketches.

City Scape

2011-01-24T13:55:00.000-08:00

On our latest sketch-crawl I actually stayed away from just drawing people and actually sketched some city. I thought fitting the crane in the background with the bright blue sky and the parking garage all in one sketch was a nice test of my skills. I may add some more color to it. My tookus was freezing to the concrete, so I had to call it quits prematurely. It was fun once again looking through everyone's sketchbooks at lunch. Nice to see you all.

Schnitzer's Portland sign

2011-01-24T11:00:00.000-08:00

Sketching outside today was a bit of a challenge. I stuck it out for almost an hour doing this drawing of the 'Portland' sign on the Schnitzer. I would have finished it but I just got too cold and sought the warm of inside. I joined several other sketchers inside the Performing Arts Center and tackled the Portland sign again. After a nice lunch the sun was out so I decided to give it a go again and went to South Park Blocks to see the Shemanski Fountain. Alanna and I found a sunny spot to sketch and it was great until the sun went away..... or behind a building.

I am enjoying the challenge of doing these small sketches in ink. They are quick and like little snapshots.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

2011-01-23T12:49:00.001-08:00

I finished a sketch that I started at the Chinese Gardens

during the free admission week. It was too cold to finish

it outside. I loved that place so much I would like to become

a member!