Went out with the Urban Sketchers today – finally! The destination was the Sun Yat Sen Gardens and surrounding area. I sat at a bus stop and drew what was across the street. After two hours, my drawing didn’t seem finished so I added a few things later.
Today’s work is evidence that I have much practice to do. I think that I don’t know really how to organize or plan my drawing. I kind of see something, try to do a pencil draft then get caught up in too much detail and get frustrated. In the end, I may have a sketch but it’s not very…powerful, I guess. The composition isn’t thought out, there’s no real focus – my attention wanders from thing to thing… But it’s still fun. It’s challenging and there’s always a next time. And if I keep at it, maybe I’ll get better.
So, the Wild Turkey Tour is called the wild turkey tour only because I saw a couple of wild turkeys at the side of the road. They ran away too quick and I missed a photo op. The tour was a driving holiday through the Kootenays, a part of BC I hadn’t seen. Revelstoke, Nakusp – Hot Springs! – New Denver (charming), Kaslo (super interesting, especially the SS Moyie), Nelson, Grand Forks and the odd but interesting Greenwood. I didn’t get a lot of drawing done but managed a couple of quick sketches.
Nelson Brewery Company and various other studios/businesses – really rushed because it was starting to rain.
A shed near the Trans Canada trail in Greenwood (and our picnic table). Also rushed because we wanted to start the next leg of the journey. Quick drawings are actually a good thing, I’ve decided. Helps to quell the annoying perfectionist in me. Must do More!
A few of the monoprints I did over Christmas were soft dreamy landscapes, not quite defined or finished. I added some charcoal and a bit of pastel to this one. It’s reminiscent of some wanderings over the Yorkshire countryside I did a few years back. There’s no sheep in it though. Perhaps they’re hiding behind the trees.
“Yorkshire Field”, oil monoprint on paper, with charcoal and pastel, 12″ x 9″
Over the Christmas break I spent a few days down at Malaspina Printmakers. I only had a short time so I thought monoprinting might be the best thing to do. Of course I’m not totally happy with the prints – so what else is new – but it sure was nice to work at the studio again. Plus I met some new people who made my feeble printmaking efforts so much more enjoyable.
Today I took out the largest print and added some pastel and charcoal. Here it is:
“Fairview Slopes 1″, Oil monoprint on paper w/charcoal & pastel, 17.5″ x 22.5”
AND, I finally finished the changes/revisions/redrawing of the illustrations for the children’s book I’ve been working on since last year about this little guy:
His name is Craigellachie Crow. Not sure if/when the book will be available but if/when it is, you’ll find out about it here.
I’ve had an excellent few weeks out of Officeland and in Drawingland. My first week off saw a blitz of drawing, trying to finish some illustrations for that children’s book I mentioned in April’s post. I’ve been plodding along for months trying to get the right look and feel. I just needed a few free days to pull it all together – and I got them finally in July (yeah, I kind of missed my June deadline…) We’ve finished the first draft and now are in the editing/revising phase, hoping to find some children who can give us a preliminary review.
My next break saw me in San Diego attending the 3rd Annual West Coast Urban Sketchers Sketchcrawl – and I had a great time. I made the Meet and Greet on Friday night, then on Saturday headed to Balboa Park for a drawing day with the usual Show and Tell at noon then again at 4 pm. Sunday morning we all met at Old Town for morning sketching and gathered at noon to share our drawings.
Urban Sketchers is a world-wide community and a super group to be a part of. Since I got home, I’ve tried to keep up the momentum and went drawing with a few Vancouver urban sketchers at Burnaby Village (I can’t believe I’ve never been there). This link will take you to my effort, but you should take a look at everyone else’s work while you’re there.
At Balboa Park, San Diego – viewing everyone’s sketches
