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

Director Park and Drink and Draw

These big chess pieces are fun to draw.

 

The building under construction doesn't look that big when there's all these trees around.

This is a sketch from the Portland Art Museum 2nd floor.

I'm making my way through all the sculptures I can catch from sitting on a bench.  Forgot my stool - whoopsie.

Director Park

On Saturday approximately 20 sketchers (old timers, newcomers, and everything in between) showed up at Case Study cafe in downtown Portland, which happens to be one of my favorite cafes.  Kay filled us in regarding her great experiences participating in Sketchbook Skool and I showed off the sample Arm-adillo pencil cuff I'd received from Muse Art + Design. After fortifying ourselves with beverages we ambled down to Director Park.

The forecast was sunny skies and warm temperatures but when we arrived it was grey and slightly chilly, which - in the context of an urban park that is mostly made up of gray concrete to start with - was not very inspiring. Anyway, I'd been wanting to sketch the Guild Theatre for a long time; my first attempts years before had gone terribly awry.

The Guild Theatre opened in 1927 as Taylor Street Theatre, acquiring its current name in 1947, and it's the last single-screen theatre in downtown Portland. Unfortunately, it's been closed for years. It's another of those lovely older buildings that doesn't have any obvious way forward, since redeveloping it and adding bathrooms (its old bathrooms got reassigned to the pasta restaurant next door) would cost so much that the owners haven't been able to cut a good deal on the space yet.  I expect one day as the economy picks up and space becomes more valuable a deal will be made, and inevitably this lovely old signage will disappear from the face of Portland.  I'm glad to have had an opportunity to sketch it while we still have it.

After taking a break to visit the farmer's market for fresh berries and basil, I came back to find the sun had come out and many of the sketchers were lined up on benches near the giant chess board.

I sketched a few of them very quickly before we were to gather for lunch...

I'm really pleased with the participation we've been getting lately.  I've met quite a few wonderful people through Portland Urban Sketchers in the last year alone, have browsed many an inspiring sketchbook, and have shared tips and tricks and joys and woes with a lot of kindred artists. Thanks everyone!