June Sketchcrawl - International Rose Test Garden - Saturday, June 19

It was great to see everyone in person again at our May sketchcrawl. We're looking forward to doing it again in June-- this time at the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park!

Saturday, June 19 (Juneteenth!)
10:15am: Meet at rose garden gift shop/restrooms (see map below)

12:15pm: Gather at garden entrance to find an open spot for sharing sketchbooks

If I'm not mistaken, the last time we sketched there as a group was July 2010, a couple weeks before Portland hosted the first ever Urban Sketchers Symposium.

PANDEMIC PROVISO: At this stage in the pandemic, we recommend joining the group only if you have been fully vaccinated. Masks are required on shuttles and buses, and we'll be wearing them outside at our own discretion when we can't maintain comfortable social distance. 

NOTE ABOUT START TIME: I'm starting this crawl 15 minutes later than usual due to limited public transit options in the area; see transit/parking options, below.

Nearest MAX stop would be King's Hill, not the Zoo; from King's Hill it's a ~14 minute walk uphill to the park entrance at SW Park Place; from there continue another 10 minutes uphill or wait for the free shuttle which runs every 15-30 minutes starting at 9:30.

Parking is in demand in Washington Park; there may or may not be spaces available near the Rose Garden.

The Rose Garden is NOT near the zoo, for walking or shuttle ride purposes. I say that for people like myself who tend to underestimated the size of Washington Park!

Unfortunately Trimet Line 63 doesn't start up until 10:25 but you might choose to utilize it on your return trip.

Transit/Planning resources:
Washington Park Map
Free Shuttle
TriMet Line 63

City, river, t-rex

For my first sketch outing in over a year, I knew I needed to use a bold brush to force my drawing hand into decisive action.  I started with small cityscapes, went on to the willow tree with basalt... then wound up outside OMSI with a lovely t-rex.

It was a gorgeous day to get out there and be part of the world again.

Non-virtual Sketchcrawl!

At long long last, the Portland urban sketchers met in person, there being enough of us fully vaccinated (mostly the old farts, but the youngsters are hot on our heels) to feel safe out in the world.

We met on the esplanade, and, seeing that the Hawthorne Bridge was closed to auto traffic, I took the opportunity of planting my butt on the sidewalk and dangling my feet on the road bed and did a one-point perspective of the bridge, taking care not to drop a pen or pencil through the mesh and into the drink.

And then switched to my tablet and did a study of the trunk of a gnarly old willow by the fire station.

May 15th- my Virtual Sketchcrawl

Here in Bristol RI the weather has cooperated for their scheduled Street Fair. Current state guidelines are on par with the latest specifications from the CDC. So here we are. Personally I am double masked and keeping distant while sketching. I reside in a home of a compromised individual (my brother) so am doing the best I can to keep us all safe.

I have used pens with watersoluble ink; black, Apache Sunset, and Kiowa Pecan. The last two are Noodlers inks. Also Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils in both sketches.