Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Tea People

Spent a couple of hours at Tea Chai Te in Northwest this afternoon for a little sketching. It was hard to get a spot with a good vantage point, and after a bit the sun was blaring through the window so hard and causing such a glare i had to give up my efforts, but I captured a few little tidbits before then.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Joys of the season!

To my fellow urban sketchers, may there be new art supplies under your tree or for Hannukkah.
May 2015 bring many sketching opportunities and continued camaraderie amongst us!

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Support Urban Sketching this holiday season

Our friends on the Urban Sketchers board remind us that our donations can help this non-profit organization keep growing and inspiring people around the world. Why not support the scholarship program as a way to start the new year off on the right foot? 

http://www.urbansketchers.org/2014/12/looking-forward-to-2015-happy-holidays.html

A very happy new year to you all, and may 2015 be full of inspiration, adventure, friendships, and joy!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Singapore 2015: Call for workshops!

The 2015 Urban Sketchers Symposium will be in Singapore, July 22-25.  How exciting!

Want to submit a proposal to lead a workshop, class, or demo? Proposals are due Monday, December 22. Full details here:

http://www.urbansketchers.org/2014/12/call-for-submissions-singapore-2015.html

Good luck!

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Central Library Sketches

I had some very nice conversations on Saturday.

Here are my sketches from the second floor periodicals room.  I never really noticed all the arches in the library before.



Sketches from the Multnomah Library

Lots of people joined us for the Saturday sketching at the Central Library. I was late getting there and at the lunch sharing so I missed several new sketchers but it is always nice to see a crowd at these gatherings.
I had an idea of doing something outside but it seemed like a good plan to start inside and see how the day progressed, so I hiked it up to the third floor to see what was sketch worthy from the windows.
My first couple of sketches were looking east at the MAX turnaround. I liked the patterns the tracks made in the pavement and tried to capture those science fiction type structures there.

Non waterproof ink and watercolor

Non waterproof ink and watercolor


After these two sketches I moved to the opposite side of the library to look west. There, the very large trees made an interesting patterning on the view of the buildings across SW 10th. I didn't quite capture the big thick branches covered in striking green with moss and small ferns....there is a wonderful green environment going on there if only we look up!

Non waterproof ink and watercolor

Finally after lunch I tried to get a street view of the construction at SW 9th and SW Yamhill but it was a little cold and my pens were not working well. So, this is unfortunately incomplete but with potential.

ink

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Reminder - December Saturday Sketchcrawl: Downtown Central Library, Dec. 13

Just a little reminder about this weekend's sketch crawl.  Looking forward to seeing you there!

December Sketchcrawl:  Downtown Central Library
Saturday, December 13

December's sketchcrawl will be on the 2nd Saturday to avoid the holiday crush. 
  • 9:30 am: Meet at Case Study Coffee for coffee and/or snacks: 802 SW 10th.
  • 10 am: Sketch the Central Public Library, inside or out, whatever suits you: 801 SW 10th.
  • 12 noon: Optional sketchbook sharing and lunch Kale (Japanese comfort food, very simple menu): 900 SW Morrison.

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.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Urban Sketching, Alaska Style

On a recent trip to Fairbanks, Alaska, I went out for dinner at the Silver Gulch Brewery, which is the furthest north of all the breweries in North America. * La mes pasada, viajé a Fairbanks, Alaska y cené en Silver Gulch Brewery, lo que es la cervecería más al norte de toda America del norte.

Colored pencil on toned paper * Lápices de color en papel color café
The shot-glass sized sample of fancy-flavored beer made a nice splash of color in the composition. 
Here's to staying warm this winter, and plenty of fun sketching adventures in the year to come!  * El vasito de chupito, con una muestra de cerveza de sabor especial, añade un poquito de color al bosquejo. Les deseo un invierno cómodo y contento, ¡con muchas aventuras artísticas en el año nuevo!

Saturday, November 29, 2014

December Sketchcrawl: Downtown Central Library, Dec. 13


December Sketchcrawl:  Downtown Central Library
Saturday, December 13

December's sketchcrawl will be on the 2nd Saturday to avoid the holiday crush. 
  • 9:30 am: Meet at Case Study Coffee for coffee and/or snacks: 802 SW 10th.
  • 10 am: Sketch the Central Public Library, inside or out, whatever suits you: 801 SW 10th.
  • 12 noon: Optional sketchbook sharing and lunch Kale (Japanese comfort food, very simple menu): 900 SW Morrison.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

ARTSPARK Thursday November 20, 5-7 pm: Drink and Draw at Oregon Public House, 700 NE Dekum St Portland, OR 97211


Folks, this looks like a great event!
Drink and Draw in Portland will be the featured group at Art Spark, a bi-monthly artist meet and greet sponsored by the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC)! We'll be talking about upcoming events, hearing from the NW Film Center, and of course, there will be drinking, drawing and even a place to post your sketches. The event will be held at the Oregon Public House, a non-profit pub that donates all of its profits to various charities. Should be a blast, come out in force for this one!  More details here:

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Across the street from the Lumberyard...

The meetup at the Lumberyard was super cool--loved seeing the little kiddos riding their bikes all around the ramps (especially the ~4 year old girl in the red tutu!) But little Magpie was impatient to go outside and take advantage of the sunshine, so we ended up across the street at Glenhaven Park where--who knew?--there is a little skate park full of kids riding trick bikes, skateboards, and razor scooters.


It was a nice day for bright highlights and crisp shadows. We sat in the sun and ate crackers and applesauce, and my pencils got dipped into the applesauce more than once, but hey--that's all part of the joy of autumn.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Last Saturday (11/8) sketching

All of the weather people said it was going to be a nice day on Saturday so with crossed fingers I decided to visit the Fields Park and see what was happening with the construction there.
Susannah joined me for coffee and then went to Jamison Park to sketch while I stayed in the Fields. I did a couple of warm up sketches and then these.


An experiment without glasses. It was difficult though and I ended up finishing with glasses on.

Construction and cranes.


The iconic view of the water tower.


After getting some 360 views from the Fields I moved down toward the train tracks and got this view of the fall color. Amazing that the leaves and color have stayed so long.
It was a great day to be out and sketching!


Thursday, November 13, 2014

Reminder - this Saturday - November 15 Sketchcrawl - Lumberyard Bike Park

November Sketchcrawl:  Lumberyard Bike Park
2700 NE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97220
Saturday, November 15
  • 9:30 am: Meet at Lumberyard Bike Park PUB/RESTAURANT for snacks.
  • 10 am: Sketch people doing bike tricks.
  • 12 noon: Optional sketchbook sharing / lunch - gather up at the pub/restaurant.
If you want to ride bikes at the Lumberyard, there is a fee - but we can stay at the Pub/Restaurant the whole time and sketch the bikers from there for free.



December Sketchcrawl:  Downtown Central Library
Saturday, December 13

I propose we do December on the 2nd Saturday to avoid the holiday crush. 
  • 9:30 am: Meet at Case Study Coffee for coffee and/or snacks: 802 SW 10th.
  • 10 am: Sketch the Central Public Library, inside or out, whatever suits you: 801 SW 10th.
  • 12 noon: Optional sketchbook sharing and lunch - Kale (Japanese comfort food, very simple menu): 900 SW Morrison.
 
 

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Recent sketch gatherings

Here's one from yesterday at PNCA's Big Draw.



This is Raven and Rose  Restaurant near PSU, from the October Sketchcrawl.


And this one is from the September sketchcrawl at the waterfront.


Always great to see you all.

Friday, October 24, 2014

The Big Draw--PNCA Oct. 25

I'm reposting this in order to maybe entice some others to join us at PNCA tomorrow. We'll gather there at 11:30 and again at 1:00 to interest others in urban sketching.  Those who want sustenance and company before the event will meet at the Daily at 10:00. http://dailyinthepearl.com/daily_cafe_in_the_pearl/daily.html .
Hope to see you there!
Vicky


The Big Draw at PNCA
1241 NW Johnson St, Portland, OR 97209
Saturday, October 25

Continuing Education at Pacific Northwest College of Art invites us to join in on Saturday, October 25, 11-2pm, for The Big Draw, Portland’s companion event to the world’s biggest drawing festival by that name, http://www.thebigdraw.org/. Be part of a fun family event, get moving with giant crayons and make your mark!

There will be activities for ages 4-99 including drawing with pencils and pastels, with vegetable colors and threads and drawing as observation and as performance. As the event unfolds, our individual and collaborative drawings will intersect the campus commons in myriad lines and shapes. Come and reframe the expectations of drawing with your mark-making at The Big Draw.

The event is open and free to the general public. All ages are welcome!

PNCA Continuing Education's photo.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Last Saturday's Sketchcrawl

We had a good turn-out at our sketchcrawl last Saturday. Here are some of the sketchers who stayed around for the sharing and lunch.


Here's a sketch from the Farmers Market.  If you look closely, you'll see a couple of sketchers.


Here are a few other sketchers from our lunchtime sketch.


A few of us sketched until the market closed. I tried to capture some of the remaining people.


It was a great day to be at the market and at PSU and mostly with the always enjoyable sketchers.




Sunday, October 19, 2014

Walk of the Heroines

What a great turnout for the sketchcrawl on Oct 18! Loved meeting all the new folks, including travelers from afar, as well as seeing old sketching buddies. Plus breakfast tamales, wow.

I mostly drew at the Walk of the Heroines at the PSU campus. Was glad for (mostly) dry weather and also very glad that there were puddles of rainwater in one of the carved stone monument thingies for the kiddo to splash in!




I was once again blown away by the sketchbook sharing at the end--such beautiful, creative, and unique ways of capturing the world around us. Thanks to everyone for being so fun and inspiring!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Reminder - Oct. 18 sketch crawl, PNCA Big Draw, + other upcoming events

October Sketchcrawl:  PSU
Saturday, October 18.  Let's enjoy the beautiful fall colors at PSU!
  • 9:30 am: Meet at Revolucion Coffee for coffee and/or tea: 1432 SW 6th, Portland.
  • 10 am: Sketch the farmer's market, Walk of the Heroines, libraries, musicians, dogs, people, flowers, and/or coffee.
  • 12 noon: Optional sketchbook sharing - if the weather is good, pick up lunch from the farmer's market and meet at the Walk of the Heroines (SW Montgomery and SW 11th).  If the weather is bad, let's still pick up lunch and meet inside the Smith Student Center cafeteria area, between SW Montgomery & SW Harrison on SW Park, just below grade level.
 

The Big Draw at PNCA
1241 NW Johnson St, Portland, OR 97209
Saturday, October 25

Continuing Education at Pacific Northwest College of Art invites us to join in on Saturday, October 25, 11-2pm, for The Big Draw, Portland’s companion event to the world’s biggest drawing festival by that name, http://www.thebigdraw.org/. Be part of a fun family event, get moving with giant crayons and make your mark!

There will be activities for ages 4-99 including drawing with pencils and pastels, with vegetable colors and threads and drawing as observation and as performance. As the event unfolds, our individual and collaborative drawings will intersect the campus commons in myriad lines and shapes. Come and reframe the expectations of drawing with your mark-making at The Big Draw.

The event is open and free to the general public. All ages are welcome!

PNCA Continuing Education's photo.


November Sketchcrawl:  Lumberyard Bike Park
2700 NE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97220
Saturday, November 15
  • 9:30 am: Meet at Lumberyard Bike Park PUB/RESTAURANT for snacks.
  • 10 am: Sketch people doing bike tricks.
  • 12 noon: Optional sketchbook sharing / lunch - gather up at the pub/restaurant.

December Sketchcrawl:  Downtown Central Library
Saturday, December 13

I propose we do December on the 2nd Saturday to avoid the holiday crush. 
  • 9:30 am: Meet at Case Study Coffee for coffee and/or snacks: 802 SW 10th.
  • 10 am: Sketch the Central Public Library, inside or out, whatever suits you: 801 SW 10th.
  • 12 noon: Optional sketchbook sharing and lunch - Kale (Japanese comfort food, very simple menu): 900 SW Morrison.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Pepper Cart and Apples

I could not make it to the Apple Festival on Saturday. I was in Olympia and had fun sketching a sweet pepper cart and just a few apples. They have a nice covered market with produce,food stands and crafts. 

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Apple Tasting Festival

I'm taking the online Sketchbook "Skool" Storytelling class and this week's homework from Melanie Reim was to sketch people in action. Well, there were plenty of people and there was plenty of action at the Apple Tasting Festival at Portland Nursery.  Tucked in among the plants, with the smell of popcorn, pizza, and apple strudel wafting by, I tried to capture some of that action as people chose their apples. Some filled many bags and even some wagons! (I was eager to draw as much as I could, so I added the color at home.)

The post-its are another idea from Melanie Reim. She does warm-up portraits on little post-its. I find that they're also handy for covering up mistakes.


When apples were really popular, the customers had to dive deep to get their picks.


The line for the tasting went on and on, but it was still too quick for me.


It was a lovely day to be out sketching with our little group. I also came home with some tasty new varieties of apples and an increased appreciation for those who can sketch quickly.

Apple Festival at Portland Nursery

Great crowds of people and families with children descended on Portland Nursery to taste, shop and enjoy all things Apple.
Along with the three other sketchers I was positioned to sketch to very long line of people in the tasting line. We weren't even close to the tasting tables and still the people waited and gathered!

watercolor and ink

watercolor and ink

After a while I had had enough of the people sketching and sought out some structure to sketch.

watercolor and ink
It was a grand day and the sun came out at times to give us some of its warmth....a very good sketching day with Katura, Vicky, and Andrea!

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Sketches from Apple Fest

I had never been to the big apple tasting festival at Portland Nursery before. What a great community party! Steady flow of families pouring in for apples, pears, pumpkins, cider, streudel, music, all of the fun.

Giant apple balloon over the festival tent

Once the baby finally tuckered herself out (thumping on hay bales, chasing puppies, and trying to climb onto all the garden carts), I joined the little trio of urban sketching friends and whipped out a few small sketches during her nap.



It was the actual crates of apples, the large wooden boxes that are moved in by nimble forklifts, full of sweet colorful crunchy goodness, that most caught my eye.


The grain of the wood, the cracks from long use, the tough metal hardware that reinforces each corner. How many years apple festivals have each of these crates seen? Such unique character in each individual box.



Friday, October 10, 2014

Impromptu Sketching: Saturday, 10/11/2014

Hello, Sketchy Friends! There's a notion afoot to get some sketching in this Saturday, Oct 11.
Sketch by Alanna!


Plan A: Sketch the Apple Festival! Meet at Portland Nursery at 10:00 am. The Apple Festival is at 5050 SE Stark, near 50th. It runs from 10 am to 5 pm. More info on what is planned is at http://portlandnursery.com/events/appletasting.shtml

View Larger Map


Plan B: If the weather report looks bad, the backup plan will be to sketch indoors at Hipbone Studios, located at 1847 E. BURNSIDE, #104. They have a drop-in session from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Sketch from Saturday



Here's my sketch from last Saturday, looking out at SW 10th from the Case Study Cafe.
Had enough time to add some color to this one.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Wonderful Very Old Sketchbook



Certainly not urban sketching, but check out this wonderful 16th Century sketchbook by Adriaen Coenen, in the collection of the National Library of the Netherlands:

http://www.flandrica.be/items/show/658/

Follow the link: Dit werk online raadplegen to see all the pages at a time. You can scroll the thumbnails by placing your mouse over the column. The displayed images are not large, but if you click on them you then have two levels of zoom available. They are a treat!

SusanLayne

Saturday, September 27, 2014

I agree with Deb about the good sharing and conversation with our little group of intrepid sketchers.

Here's my first sketch from Case Study...


My sketch at Director's Square was very experimental and not post-worthy, so here are a couple of sketches from earlier this week. They were done pretty quickly because I've been resisting the idea that summer is really over, and  haven't been dressing for the chilly weather.




Before long, I'll be searching in the back of the closet for my fingerless gloves!