Multnomah Lbrary sketches -redo adding color

With encouragement from Vicky and Janene I went back into my sketches from the Multnomah Library windows in a previous post.
I added color to the sky trying bring a greater contrast between it and the buildings. And it was a clear blue sky that day.

Multnomah Library sketches

Trying to keep the palette simple black, grey, and a little ochre for these sketches... and channeling Andrea (especially her recent sketches from Mt Scott).
I used Black and Kiowa Pecan Noodlers in my pens and then added Noodlers Lexington Grey that was loaded into a water brush for the shadows etc.

On this one I channeled Miguel Herranz' technique (via Vicky) by starting the sketch at a point that was most interesting to me and working from that outward. That little cornice detail on the large building on the right is where I started!

Thanks to Linda in organizing this fun outing!

Library Sketch Crawl

Eight people showed up for the sketch crawl with guest Laurie Wigwam from San Francisco. After coffee and chatting at Case Study, most of us headed inside the library. Here are my sketches...

and here's a photo of our sketchbooks...

 It was a pleasure meeting Laurie and it was a fun and inspirational to sketch with everyone.

Thanks for organizing it, Linda!

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

Library Display, Part 2

More of our sketchbooks are now on display outside of the Popular Library downtown. The top shelf has sketchbooks from Marco and Gregg. The next features Janene's and Bill's. Katura's sketchbook and a copy of a page by Andrea are on the third shelf, along with a couple of library books. (Emily Carr was a sketcher, right?) The bottom shelf has another library book and sketchbooks from Deb and me.

The poster that Andrea designed will get an addition after this weekend, saying  something like: for future monthly sketching events visit...UskPDX. Both this display and the one on the 3rd floor will be in place until August 5th.

I have all the sketchbooks that we were unable to use. I would be happy to return them to you this Friday at Ringler's if you'd like. (I won't bring them unless I hear from you.)

After the setup, I wandered over to the Art Museum and look what I saw:

(the Sketchbook Project getting ready to open)

It's too bad this won't be around this weekend. It will be open from 1:00-5:00 today and tomorrow. Wish I had brought another sketch crawl poster to tack on the outside.

Library Sketchbook Display

I thought those of you who generously loaned your wonderful sketchbooks for our library display might like to see the result--or at least part one. These are the sketchbooks that are displayed on the 3rd floor of the Central Multnomah County Library, underneath the clock in the Art and Music room...

More sketchbooks will be setup in the wall display case outside of the popular library, but that won't happen until next Monday, so stay tuned for part two.

Deb and I were given a tour of some of the more secret parts of the library, from basement archives to the top, looking down on the rooftop gardens. We would have loved to get in some sketching of those great city views.

The library is also featuring several books on sketching that can be checked out. These are on display on shelves as you enter the Art and Music room. If you're there, take a look.

Thanks to the MCL for their support of our sketch crawl event, my friend, Jayne, who coordinated it, to Andrea for her eye-catching poster, and to all of you who loaned your very precious sketchbooks.