Tall Ships on the Quay at Vancuver

Sunday turned out to be not too bad weatherwise. It looked more ominous than actual fact (there were even some warm sun breaks). As in previous years the ships were at dock.... but the space is so tight that a good view of both ships was pretty hard to come by....in addition the dock ramp and pilings made it even more chopped up.
But several of us showed and were game to give it a go.

The Hawaiian Chieftian- ink, watercolor pencils, Pitt markers

This sketch is cropped...in its original form I had the aft end of the Lady Washington but it was awkward with the dock ramp cutting it and the cropped version reads better.
After lunch at the Red Lion I went back to give it another try and then concentrated on the Lady Washington.

The Lady Washington- ink, Pitt markers

These are such beamy ships it is very difficult to get the right proportions and make it look like it is properly sitting in the water. They are pretty elegant above the waterline but in this drawing it looks like a whale has attached itself below!

Timberline Lodge in May

Last week I traveled to Timberline Lodge with my family (visiting from the east coast). This is a favorite destination for us even though we are not skiers or snow lovers in general. The snow is incidental...we came to enjoy being in and about the Lodge.

Timberline Lodge- ink, watercolor pencil, Pitt marker

The weather was cool but on the sunny side so I was not too uncomfortable to do these two sketches...fingers a little cold at the end but not unbearable (a little pun there).

Bear's head Corbel- ink, watercolor pencil, Pitt marker

Train Day at Union Station in Portland

I escaped on Saturday for  a little retreat to join the other Urbansketchers and have some fun at Union Station.
I thought the crowds would be a problem in finding a bit of space to settle and sketch but it turned out not to be the problem I had anticipated. I focused on the steam engine SP and P 700 (Spokane, Portland and Seattle 700) in this head on view. This was a favorite spot for picture taking!

Ink and big Pitt pen.

 

And then moved to a view of the whole scene from the pedestrian bridge over the tracks.

Ink and big Pitt pen for the shadows

Later I found a spot to get a little more up close and personal to these two very bright train cars.

Watercolor and ink after the color was set down

There was so much activity...... the world of trains and train aficionados. Some miniature and  some full scale, everyone seemed to have an interest in being there!