Virtual Sketchcrawl #12 - Winter

Please join us for our twelfth virtual sketchcrawl on Saturday, January 16th.

This month, let's sketch a winter scene.  Maybe a bleak gray landscape, maybe a cheery fire - whatever winter means to you.  And if you'd like, let's this once put the pigments away and do it in black and white.

Sketch by Kay French, from the Fehrenbacher Hoff

If you decide on sketching an outdoor scene, then feel free to sketch any time between now and the 16th, to find agreeable weather.  In any case, please post on the 16th, by:

(1) posting to this blog

(2) emailing to our mailing list, or

(3) posting in our Facebook group

As always, this challenge is optional, and you can be as strict to the subject or as loose as you like. Your participation is welcome whether you choose this challenge or not-- just make sure to work from life and to include contextual information, so it stays in the realm of urban sketching!

PS. Is there interest in getting together virtually on the afternoon of the 16th?

Retro Tuesday - Tree dressed up for the holidays when I was, like, 4.

I've been doing a lot of painting from photographs lately.  The rain, the cold, and I've painted so many inside things that I don't feel like painting those anymore.  So maybe this doesn't count for urban sketching, but I did pick this photo because of the theme.  Fun times!  Thank you for organizing! - Andrea Matthews

Virtual sketchcrawl - Trees dressed up for the holidays

I did this one last Saturday, in an unexpected sunbreak.  

It's a tree in my neighbor's front yard, which he dolled up something special for the season.  I stood on his parking strip, and we had a long-distance conversation between the street and his porch.  (And then he waited patiently until I'd finished, so he could come out and rake up his leaves.)

While I was there a hummingbird - a male Anna's - came to investigate the tree, probing every single ornament, in hopes it was a flower or a feeder.  And then flew away in a huff.

Then, this morning I braved the iffy weather, dodging both rain and other people, and walked down to Pioneer Courthouse Square to sketch the tree. 

I haven't been downtown in ages.  The number of empty storefronts is scary.  And these colorful circles are painted in the square and on the surrounding sidewalks.  I assume that they're social distancing markers.

Virtual Sketchcrawl #11 - trees decorated for the holidays

Please join us for our eleventh virtual sketchcrawl on Saturday, December 19th.

This month, let's sketch trees and shrubs that are dressed up for the holidays.  Possibly the big tree in Pioneer Courthouse Square, or maybe whatever's been decorated in our own neighborhoods.  Even the tree standing up in our own living room.

Sketch by Ellie at Pioneer Courthouse Square

And this month, we'll try something a little different.  In the interests of avoiding both crowds and rain, we can do the sketches anytime between now and December 19th, indoors or out, day or (brrr!) night, and post on the morning of the 19th, by:

(1) posting to this blog

(2) emailing to our mailing list

(3) posting in our Facebook group

As always, this challenge is optional, and you can be as strict to the subject or as loose as you like. Your participation is welcome whether you choose this challenge or not-- just make sure to work from life and to include contextual information, so it stays in the realm of urban sketching!

There will be an optional zoom get-together at 1pm on the 19th, to share sketches, or to just see each others' faces again.  To forestall zoombombing, the details will be posted in this group's mailing list.

See you soon!