Port Chester Scene

There are so many interesting scenes I want to capture in Port Chester, NY like this one I found yesterday by the Marvin Place Public Parking Lot.  The cast shadows on this small parking space against the bright white walls was so intriguing.  Originally, I was going to start with the pen lines but decided to use the watercolor splash first and using that as a guide for the line details.  It was a fun experiment and happily that also was the last page sketch entry in this sketchbook. 

Ferrara Bakery and Cafe

Anne suggested we get our coffee fix at Ferrara Bakery and Cafe after our early dinner at Pho Than Hoai Vietnamese restaurant in Mulberry St, NYC.  It was a short three blocks walk to get there.  As always, this place is packed with people.  She got her double espresso and I got my double cappuccino.  Got to sketch this famous place!

Drawn with Platinum Carbon Ink Pen with De Atramentis Document Brown Ink.   Color added at home with generic color pencils.  Some watercolor splash.

Met Museum visit

What better activity than a visit to the MET Museum on a cold, dreary Sunday!  Except that it was a busy holiday weekend and everyone had the same exact idea to go to the Met Museum.  Luckily, we didn’t have to stand in line outside for too long.  

At the Greek and Roman Art room, I sat on a bench by the “Bronze Statue of Artemis and a Deer” sculpture.  I was planning to sketch the room view but it wasn't ideal.  Artemis was facing the other way. Once this back view sketch was done, I made sure to sketch the front view of the sculpture.  Soon, I was getting impatient because I couldn't get Artemis' face right.

With another hour to spare, we ventured to the Japanese Gallery #232 at the 2nd floor of The Sakler Wing.  It was there that this small window overlooking the Temple of Dendur gave me an inspiration to sketch the scene.  Similar in concept as the one I did of the Main Gallery not too long ago. 

Sketch Video

Some USK sketchers record and post a live video of their sketch work with truly amazing results!  I thought I'd give it a try.  So far so good.  Movie clip done. That was until I saw something odd.  The raw video footage was shot in portrait mode instead of the landscape mode.  Big mistake!  Oh, well...  Will keep that error in mind next time I shoot another vid clip with my iPhone.  

Gothic Church

A couple of years ago, I made some contour drawings of the steeples of the Stamford's St. Mary's church.  At the time, I was focused more on capturing as much details.  I had another opportunity to sketch this beautiful Gothic church recently but this time I focused more on the big shapes and shadows while employing the pencil sight method to measure the proportions.  Light brown ink sketch lines before splashing some mixed ultramarine blue, quin rose, pyrrol scarlet, maybe a touch of hansa yellow light.  Additional coloring done at home.

Car Engine Oil Service

The 7:45AM slot was the earliest car service appointment I could get last Thursday.  Got there five minutes late.  Not a big deal.  When asked if I would drop off the car, I said I wouldn't mind waiting.  "It could be a while.", Nelson said, to which I replied, "It's Okay."  I came prepared with my sketchbook.  He mentioned the complimentary coffee and donuts to enjoy while waiting for the job to finish.  

In the waiting room, I chose the spot where I could see and sketch the service counter.  Soon, Nelson called out my name signaling that the engine oil change was done but I wasn't fully done yet with my sketch.  After settling the bill, I went back to my previous spot and continued working the lines for the cars outside.  Color added later at home.

Buffet

Two days ago, I went bicycling around and was craving for that signature turkey sandwich #5 with Brie cheese, honey mustard, slices of Apples on baguette bread at June and Ho's shop until I passed by this buffet place in Port Chester, NY.  The place was crowded with plenty of dishes to choose from.  I wasn't that hungry but the idea of sketching this eatery won me over the signature sandwich#5 still one mile away. 

After having a lunch of chicken with broccoli and rice, I asked the young lady behind the counter if I could secure a corner spot and sketch the place.  Lida is her name and she's from Ecuador.  Not too long after, Adamaryz, took over the cashiering duties and Lida was gone. 

As I was doing this sketch, there were several customers who showed some interest.  Some struck a conversation that made me flip through a few pages of my sketchbook to show them.  Juan wishes he could do it but says he hasn't found time.  "You have to start somewhere. Got to do it.", I said, to which he replied "I know."

There was a sketch of the building (Boca Marina) I made last March where this buffet place is locateged and it's the first store front to the right.

Sketches on the train

I took the mass transit option to get to Red Hook, Brooklyn last weekend for the NYC USK outing.  With the handy index cards and the Pilot Slicci 025 pen, I was able to make use of the time I was on the train.

Crowded #6 Downtown train from GCT.
I sat next to a homeless person on the #4 train to Brooklyn.

This young lady was so animated, I couldn't resist her gestures!
I think my pen was running out of ink.

Metro-North train to Stamford.  Her head comfortably rested on his left thigh.

SCSU Commencement 2018

My nephew, Carlos, graduated Cum Laude in Nursing last Friday.  The event was held in Bridgeport, CT at the Webster Bank Arena.  I still have extra blank index cards with me so the wait at the arena opening was a good opportunity to sketch people waiting in line.  Once the graduation came underway, my pen was also busy recording people profile and gestures. 

Observing people profiles and gestures.

The graduate.

The Mary

Last Sunday's gloomy weather improved until it became sunny and warm later in the morning.  It turned out to be a great day to sketch with the group in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Aboard the coastal tanker, Mary A. Whalen, I saw familiar and regular USK'ers already at work from their favored spots - from the wheelhouse to the engine room and everywhere else on the ship.  There is so much character at every nook and cranny of this Portside's flagship.  Along with a queasy feeling at the mild swell, I settled myself in the galley and sketched there until 1:00PM.

Took a break for lunch together with Helen, a visiting sketcher from Beijing, before coming back to sketch The Mary again.  This time from the solid ground looking at her port side and stern.  It was also Mary A. Whalen's 80th birthday celebration so we each got a piece of the birthday cake!

Platinum Carbon Ink Pen
De Atramentis Document Brown Ink
Rose Art Colored Pencils

The Galley

A view of the Portside and the Stern

Met Museum Visit

When the weekend weather isn't going to be nice, a visit to the Met Museum is always a good choice.  Except that it’s the same idea everyone has! It helps to get there early as 10 a.m. as soon as the museum opens. 

At the “Heavenly Bodies” exhibit of the papal vestments, I was in awe of the delicate and sophisticated embroidery crafted by dedicated seamstresses.  The embroidered figures had floating so much depth and dimension.  No pictures were allowed but I have my sketchbook.   

Apparently, for a large exhibit like this, no sketching is allowed and "Pencils only please!" snapped the security guard as I readied my drawing implement inside the Medieval Hall.  

I walked away from that hall and made some sketches from other vantage points in the museum.

Mantle of Pius VII (reigned 1800-1823)

The Byzantium Wing

The Great Hall

Auguste Rodin,
"Eve"

Auguste Rodin,
"Adam"

Donuts and Coffee

There's an abundance of coffee shops in that neighborhood.  Across the street corner from the Starbucks coffee is this shop to get your coffee and donut fix.  The Stan's Donuts shop corner location at 2800 N. Clark Street in Chicago is an interesting and fun place.  It has a retro look and their doughnuts are good too!

Chicago Landmarks

Last year's 8th Annual USK symposium in Chicago was so busy, I never got time to see much of the city.  One year later and I found myself in the downtown loop area with hours to spare before my flight back to Westchester Regional Airport.

The first sketch I made was at the corner of N. Dearborn St. and W. Washington St. with a view of the Goodman Theater.

Later, I walked towards the Chicago Theater that should be sketched this time.  The fire hydrant at the corner of W. Randolph St. and N. State St. was good for the time I needed to sketch this scene.  Several homeless people and panhandlers seem to be at every street corner.  This one wasn't any different.

That sushi express on S. Michigan Avenue was calling me for lunch.  Like last year, I seem to crave for their udon noodle soup so I went right back and order one for good times' sake.  

Three more hours to spare before I head to the airport so I had a Starbucks coffee in front of the Art Institute of Chicago.  Remember that bugler who seem to toot the horn so loud and off key trying to hit the high notes of the Star Wars theme?  Yes, there he was right across the street from Starbucks!  At least, I had the Starbucks coffee patio to myself, sketching the scene and enjoying the precious little time left in this wonderful city of Chicago. 

T3 at O'Hare International Airport

Terminal 3, American Airlines.

What better way to pass time than to sketch the airport scene when your flight is delayed!  Well, you know there is that obligatory airport sketch, right?  I decided not to color this one.  

Platinum Carbon Ink Pen with De Atramentis Document Black Ink.
Handbook 5.25" X 8.25" 

The Clark Street Dog

On the way to a nearby church in a Chicago suburb last weekend, I was on the lookout for an interesting scene to sketch.  Never been to this part of the city before and I was only in for a couple of days.  

This corner of N. Halstead Street and W. Barry Avenue looked so interesting from across the street where the CVS store is located.  Sketched on that dreary grey morning weather.  Color added later at AirBnB apartment rental using the 6 color DS Watercolor essentials set.

The Steamboat

Some twenty years ago, this Steamboat was once proudly anchored in the Greenwich Harbor right next to a motel that share the same name.  That motel is now a hotel called Delamar Greenwich Harbor Hotel and the Steamboat gone.  Those of you who participated in last fall's sketch outing in Greenwich would perhaps remember that harbor where we had lunch.  

The Steamboat is now anchored on Byram river behind the StorQuest Self Storage in Port Chester, NY.  I looked around that vicinity and found this appealing view from the CT side of the river.  Color added later at home.

Brooklyn Ice House Sign

Near the corner of Pioneer Street and Van Brunt Streets, there's this store with a weathered sign that says "Brooklyn Ice House".  It really caught my attention.  

With my back against the street corner post, I sketched this scene.  A couple sat on the bench in front of the store and casually chatted with some local passers by.  I'm thinking they all must be regular goers from the neighborhood.   Color later added at home.

On the B61 Bus to Red Hook

There was an Expo at Pier 12 two days before last weekend's Five Boro Bike Tour event where the participants had to pickup the Rider's Identification Kit.  From Grand Central Terminal, I took the #5 downtown train to Borough Hall and then boarded the B61 bus to Red Hook where I was to get off at King Street corner.

An Oriental looking mother and daughter were seated in front of me.  The mother's hair clip accessory caught my attention and decided to sketch it.  As a result, I missed the King Street stop by three blocks down Van Brunt Street.  

Walking back towards the Pier 12 direction, I passed by the bar at a corner street that looked so familiar.  Oh, it was where we had our show and tell one time we did the USK Red Hook outing!  

Color later added at home.  

NYC5Boro Bike Tour Sketches and Photos

The 6:13AM weekend train to the Grand Central Terminal was running 5-10 minutes late which was okay.   Only needed one subway ride, the #4 downtown train to get to Wall Street station for my first ever NYC Five Boro Bike Tour. 

Ready to go!

I left the start gate at around 8:47am along with the third wave of bike riders in yellow color bib and bike tag. Mine was tag# 21111.  

8:45am couldn't come soon enough.

Hundreds of bikers looking North of Church Street.
Borough of Manhattan. 

At 23rd Street, I made a maintenance check to pump air for my front tire.  At a rest stop near West 116th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, I took some time to sketch the riders taking a break (around 10:00am).  

Time stamp says 10:11am.

In the Bronx, once we crossed the Madison Bridge, I made a quick sketch of the scene.  

Time stamp says 10:49am.

Another sketch done on the ramp to the Queensboro bridge.  

 Time stamp says 12:02pm.

On to the Borough of Queens!

Too bad, I didn't record the time on those sketches.  At around 1:51PM, I finished sketching the iconic Manhattan Bridge in Brooklyn.   

Mile 26 in the Borough of Brooklyn!

Time stamp says 2:04pm. 

I crossed the festival finish line at Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island around 3:10PM.  Got my medal!  Sweet!  

Lots of food vendors on site.  I wanted the pulled pork sandwich but they already ran out of buns.  Still, I got the pulled pork alone.  Managed to sketch the finish festival site around 4:11PM.  

It took another five miles to reach the official 40 mile marker near the ferry station.  

I think we were the last batch of bikers to catch the Staten Island Ferry ride back to Manhattan.  

On this short ferry ride back, I sketched my trusty Brompton bike.  It was 5:35PM.  

On the #5 UPTOWN train to Grand Central Station.

What an epic adventure on my Brompton bike - all five boroughs of New York in one day . I LOVE IT! 

Cheese Ravioli Pasta to cap the day!