Native American Student Center PSU

Last week I had an hour to kill some time near PSU.  I am not fond of much of the modern architecture in Portland because it is boring, not adventurous, but this building is complicated and evokes the Native American traditions beautifully.  I knew what it was before I heard the name. 
It is both modest and strong, reflecting the tradition it houses.

Above, a quick sketch (with Diamine Ancient Copper ink in a Lamy Al-star) of
the Native American Student Center at the south end of the PSU campus, off the park. 
Watercolor wash moved the inks: three colors were used: Yavapei, Lapis, and Shungite, with a bit of leftover mixed green for the tree which was overshadowed by the Ancient Copper ink, which runs like crazy.... Below, pushing my comfort zones, using watercolor pencils, no inked lines (absolutely out of my comfort zone), and light watercolor washes on site.  Back in studio added to the washes a bit, and may have overworked it.  All a learning.  Watercolors are SO in the moment, unforgiving!

December sketchcrawl at Kennedy School

It was great to see all of the regulars and some new sketchers at the Kennedy School.
I stayed away from doing any people and concentrated on some interior and structure outside in the courtyard.

Some 'warm up' sketches were needed since I needed to get in the grove. I sometimes forget this step but when I do a thumbnail it usually is very helpful to the final sketch.

exterior fireplace chimney- watercolor pencils and Noodler's Lafayette Grey ink in a waterbrush

interior scene- watercolor pencils

Wishing all sketchers a very merry holiday....and hope to see you at a sketchcrawl next year!

More at Portlands Tuba Christmas

It was great to see other Portland sketchers at the Pioneer Courthouse Square to hear (and see) the Tubas.
We had initially a pretty good spot for viewing but it would have been better to be a little further down to have a better view of the whole Tuba ensemble.
Eventually more people arrived and we were 'forced' to sketch those other intrepid Portlanders around us. Most of my views were from behind....!

Tuba Christmas- ink with some watercolor pencils and some not

Other spectators- Lafayette Grey Noodlers ink in waterbrush

Umbrella Man with hand knitted sweater- ink and watercolor pencil

Tall Ships on the Quay at Vancuver

Sunday turned out to be not too bad weatherwise. It looked more ominous than actual fact (there were even some warm sun breaks). As in previous years the ships were at dock.... but the space is so tight that a good view of both ships was pretty hard to come by....in addition the dock ramp and pilings made it even more chopped up.
But several of us showed and were game to give it a go.

The Hawaiian Chieftian- ink, watercolor pencils, Pitt markers

This sketch is cropped...in its original form I had the aft end of the Lady Washington but it was awkward with the dock ramp cutting it and the cropped version reads better.
After lunch at the Red Lion I went back to give it another try and then concentrated on the Lady Washington.

The Lady Washington- ink, Pitt markers

These are such beamy ships it is very difficult to get the right proportions and make it look like it is properly sitting in the water. They are pretty elegant above the waterline but in this drawing it looks like a whale has attached itself below!