This morning, the San Diego Urban Sketchers met at Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach. The cove is a narrow stretch of beach that opens from a space between steep hillsides. We painted from a lookout point that looked down on everything. By 9 a.m., the beach was full of people enjoying themselves, and I wanted to capture that busy, happy vibe.
It was an unseasonably pleasant July morning in San Diego, and even the shadows seemed to bounce with joy. I sketched quickly, beginning with the light on the adobe walls, roof, and foreground, pausing only to add in a skipping girl and her mother as they passed.
The building, La Casa de Estudillo, is made of white adobe. After looking over my sketch, I darkened the walls to emphasize the light. I like this sketch because it catches the pleasure that perfect weather can bring.
This is a little plein air piece I painted earlier this summer in Colorado.
We are at Ocean City State Park, a campground along Washington’s Coast. A dense forest opens onto a long sandy beach, and we enjoyed exploring the calm beauty of both settings. This sketch is from later in the day when we were resting.
Dirt Movers: The littlest cousins love using their trucks to move dirt, pinecones, and rocks around the camp. I wanted to capture their focus and delight as they played together.
When I saw the full moon lighting up my brother’s Colorado home, it seemed to say, ‘Home.’
There is something about a meadow that invites kids and dogs to run!
Deliberate Sketching 