Mission Bay Morning in November
Yesterday the landscape painting class met at Mission Bay where I did two watercolor sketches. Although the fog was pretty much burnt off by the time I started this second sketch, I continued my earlier focus on showing the movement of the water and breeze with visible brush strokes. Overall I like the results of using visible brushstrokes.
This is a soluble pencil and watercolor sketch.
The landscape painting class met today at Mission Bay. Somehow I forgot my big palette and nice paintbrushes, but did have 12 X 16 inch watercolor paper, a small watercolor kit, and a very small water brush. I focused on showing the movement of the fog and water with brush strokes and painted this scene as the fog was burning off.
This is a pencil and watercolor sketch.
Sunday Morning at Tuna Park
The San Diego Urban Sketchers met at Tuna Park Sunday morning. We shared the venue with tourists, all of us enjoying the gorgeous weather, the sculpture Unconditional Surrender, and the USS Midway aircraft carrier.
I really got into sketching the tourists but was vexed because my sketch did not show depth, that is, it was very flat. Usually objects in the foreground are larger than those in the middle and back but the scale of the huge statue and the aircraft carrier sent a confusing message. Additionally, it was a very clear day with very little fog and usually depth is shown by making the background more fuzzy than the foreground. I went home and tried various possibilities, eventually going with additional atmosphere in the background.
This is a charcoal, pen, and watercolor sketch on watercolor paper. I used Procreate and Snapseed to add the atmosphere.
Looking Down from the Second Floor of the Mission Valley Library
Today was a one-sketch day. It is the view of a library floor from the vantage point of the reading area on the level above.
I think I can do better with this subject. Although I like the figures and think they convey something about people who hang out in libraries, the walls and windows in the upper portion of the page don’t add oomph to the sketch. I’d like to go back and draw this scene until I get it right.
This is a pen and watercolor sketch.
Sunset at Pacific Beach
Busy day but I had time at the end to swing by Pacific Beach for a quick walk and a sketch.
This is a pen and watercolor sketch.
Two Giraffes at the Zoo
I am having a hard time. How is it that we elected an individual who, if he were a middle school student, would be receiving counseling and consequences for bullying, name calling, put-downs, hateful language, and inciting others to violence? So I went to the zoo, a place where people get along, admire creation, reflect and draw.
My mood was slowly lifted by hearing many spoken languages, seeing diverse people, watching the care families have for each other, and noticing the concern for safeguarding our world from climate change. And then I ran into a retired teacher I worked with for years, a fabulous educator, someone who believed in and worked wonders for all students, particularly children learning English as a second language. We didn’t discuss the election, I don’t know who she voted for, but I remembered that she belongs to a different political party than I do, and it made me think again about what President Obama said about all of us being on the same team.
Times are scary for me. I am not giving up or giving in, but I do have faith that we Americans, people like the marvelous teacher and most of the rest of us, can work together, follow the golden rule, and live the values of our American constitution. The progressive point of view is important and it is best heard through conversation, which mean listening, discussing and thinking. I plan to speak up and use my voice in support of a civil country that embraces all people and extends much more help to those who need it.
The two giraffes were drawn with marker on watercolor paper. The background was added at home with Procreate.
Luke Keeps an Eye on Me
I have been enjoying experimenting with charcoal, pastels and water. I am getting a greater range of textures and luminance than when I use watercolor alone. And, the water fixes the charcoal and pastel, eliminating the need for the regular fixative with its vapors. While it is not as reliable as a regular fixative, it is just fine for my purposes.
Meanwhile, Luke keeps a resigned eye on me, tapping his tail from time to time to remind me of all the great walks we could be taking.
This is a charcoal and pastel sketch on multimedia paper. The photo of the sketch was edited to enhance the textures using Snapseed.
Deliberate Sketching 