super sketching day...spring is on the way!

We had a wonderful gathering for our March sketchcrawl at the Japanese Memorial Cherry Blossom trees. No Cherry trees were actually in bloom yet but we had great sunny weather to sketch the scene that included both the Burnside and Steel Bridges and along the waterfront.

Our group....apologize for the spot in the lower left that partially obscures sketcher Ellie. There was a glare on the screen so I din't notice it until later.

Here are some random sketches showing bridges and across the river views. Please comment if your sketch is shown here. I didn't get everyone's name to give proper credit...thanks.

My contribution was a sketch of Burnside bridge and then wanting to put some color down  I turned to a pillow vendor at the busy Saturday Market.

After lunch at the market I spent some time with Ali at the Lan Su Chinese Garden.....

Japanese Memorial garden and cherry blossoms

A wonderful sketching day materialized last Saturday at the Japanese Memorial. The Cherry blossoms were not at their peak so the color was duller but you could still glimpse that distinctive pinkish tinge.

After our sketching morning we elected to stay outside for our sharing. The fountain at Saturday Market was the perfect spot and I (and others) got another sketch in for the day.

Another visit to the Portlland cherry blossoms

On my first sketching visit I was maybe a little too early- most of the blossoms were still in bud and not showing that snowy pink all over color.
This visit the blossoms were out but the leaves were vying for room so the snowy pink was being invaded by the green leaves.
Right in between would have been best.....but alas that did not happen.

watercolor with non-waterproof ink

watercolor applied first then non-waterproof ink added to highlight some details

It was nice to see a good crowd of us sketchers out there on this slightly chilly and windy day.

Cherry Blossoms - almost at peak

I couldn't resist going out to the Japanese Memorial Garden this past gorgeous, warm (although not so much in the shade in the morning) Saturday. Vicky joined me in sketching the not quite out blossoms on the Cherry trees there.

First I did this thumbnail above and then the real attempt to capture the essence of the blooms...some still in bud and some in that beautiful pale pink.

Cherry blossom allee - Watercolor and non waterproof ink

I then turned around to look back toward the Burnside Bridge. In this view the trees blooms turned a rusty cinnamon color against the bridge background.

Watercolor and non waterproof ink

All in all Vicky and I had a very productive day. You can see my other sketches from this day on my blog. www.reason2draw.blogspot.com

Cherry Blossom Time

I was so grateful to get in some Cherry blossom sketching on Thursday (with Vicky in between the showers and sun).
Admittedly the blossoms were well passed their prime....the latest rain has done its job and scattered them to the ground but there was enough on the trees to still get the essence.

Non waterproof ink- Noodlers Kiowa Brown and Brenake Black

 The above was a quick sketch before I met up with Vicky at Floyds...a short sun break.

Non waterproof ink & watercolor- Noodlers Bernake Black, Midnight Blue and Kiowa Brown

The one below is on my new Stillman & Birn- zeta series sketchbook. Like some of my fellow sketchers, I may become a fan of this brand. It handled the watercolor wash very well...more experimentation to follow.

Non waterproof ink & watercolor- Noodlers Bernake Black, Midnight Blue and Kiowa Brown.

After this last sketch I started another but just got some basics down when it started to rain in earnest...so off to Floyds again to dry out.