Saturday, May 7, 2011

Drawing in the Dark and to the beat of Drums


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!






4 comments:

  1. Looks like you had a great day Vicky. I still like that you have limited the color palette for the bar scene. I could imagine you all soft and comfy at Taborspace good thing those drummers were keeping you on your toes! Like the quick people sketches...

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  2. Thanks, Deb. We'll definitely have to sketch those drummers again. Looking forward to seeing your drawings on here. I know you captured the feel of the pub.

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  3. Vicky, you use the same method as I, keep drawing until there's no sign of life. But it worked for you. I get the sense of a darkish pub. I think the brown wash works to make the place look 'woody'. Drawing to the drumming sounds wonderful.

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  4. Bill--
    Your comment "drawing until there's no sign of life" made me laugh. There's truth in that! I'd love to draw drummers again. Maybe we should be on the lookout for drumming, music, dance drawing opportunities for a future sketchcrawl.

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