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!

A little catch-up...sketches from a past sketchcrawl

It was great to explore the area around the High and Low Gallery (our host for the potluck and materials exchange). Thanks Julie!
With the street mandala painting going on at SE 33rd and Yamhill and our potluck and materials exchange it was a super charged day.

I started out with a fairly stiff sketch of the street painting but after the potluck I returned to do another looser and more interesting sketch.

Other subjects were taken on too like the church at the corner of SE 35th and Yamhill. I neglected to get the name but I did like the tower and the trees surrounding it.

It is always fun to get new tools so I was pleased to come away from the materials exchange with some great stuff. A Hero M86 pen and some new ink colors got me so excited that I couldn't wait to try them out. Thank you to Andrea, all of the organizers and to the other artists that brought such great things to the exchange.

Hero M86 pen with new Noodlers Air Corp Blue ink

Palms Motor Hotel on Interstate

I either never have time or can't find a place to park to have a go at the sign;
Thursday I had two tries, before and after a doctor's visit.  The first was hurried and I like it better;
the second I did a set-up, etc, and yet the joy of the image is a bit lost.  Some do best the second time: I find I often do my best work the first time out, and if I don't get it, should just walk away.

 

Above, very fast and spontaneous, no set-up, about 15 minutes. 

I like the dark black ink, even though it bled.
I feel like I captured my feeling for the sign (reminds me of home.)

Below, chose an ink that doesn't run in grey, did a set-up in grey watercolor pencil, 35 minutes,

(cut short by creepy guy deciding to stand and stare at me through the window)
and feel it doesn't hit the mark for me.  Not as much focus on the sign either.

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.