Summer Solstice

Last Friday, from 4:00-7:00 pm, on the day of the Summer Solstice, several musicians performed at open public spaces along Park Avenue between 38th and 50th Streets.  I caught the Jazz trio performing between the 38th & 39th Streets on Park Avenue where I made a quick sketch of them.  The drummer, Bryan, was the challenging person to sketch because he moved a lot in different poses while Eric and Jerry seem to come back to a familiar pose.  Once done, I went over and introduced myself, showed them the sketch, and asked for their name which they gladly wrote down on the page.  Incidentally, while I was doing this sketch, a lady name Madeline came over, asked to see what I was doing and if I'm an Urban Sketcher like herself.  A short conversation and a quick selfie pic together and then it was time to get on the train home.

A screen grab from Bryan Kopchak's IG posting that day.

The Whispering Wall

On the level section of the Grand Central Terminal, there's the famous whispering wall.  The soft whisper at one of the those corners and the sound is acoustically amplified and carried over the tiled ceiling wall onto the opposite end.   I don't think you get a "cross-line" if two simultaneous whispers emanate from the other corner.  Standing on one corner of the wall, I tried to sketch what was before me.  The next morning, I did the watercolor wash.

A crowded train home

This was a crowded train scene on the way home from work last week.  Sketched what was directly in front of me.

The Commuter Biker

A biker gets on the train at the next station on the way to Manhattan.  His was a regular size folding bike that folds in half.  Twice I've sketched him within the last two weeks.

At the barber shop

I needed a haircut last Saturday and I know I will be waiting a while so I brought my little sketch book with me and the mini Bic 4-color pen.  It was a good practice to say the least.

The NYC Public Library

I was trying the Direct-to-Watercolor, which from now on I will call "D2W", for this scene on my way home from work.  I chose the spot facing North by the entrance to the library, looking at the trees and a bit of the scene.  Not sure what would come out during my limited time but I managed to lay down most of the colors I saw.  Once I got home, I added more colors and here's what came out of it.

Waiting and sketching

Last week, my brother and I showed up on our appointed date for some certified documents at the Spanish Consulate in NYC.   Though it was booked three weeks in advance, we still had to wait.  Made this one sketch while waiting for our turn.

A Garden Themed Party

Wednesday last week, after work, there was a gathering by the Pershing Square Diner.  It looked like some people were dressed as trees and floral arrangement.  I had some 10 minutes to sketch them before I board my train home.  Eventually, I added some watercolor at home.  I think it was sponsored by a distillery with a hashtag #hendricksmidsummer.

On Elizabeth Street

There was a shaded parking space by the Sterling Opera House on Elizabeth Street, Derby, CT where I did this direct watercolor sketch.  It's a view looking down toward the Housatonic River.  There are many nice spots in this town to come back to for another day of sketching.

A Saturday Wedding Day

Chandra and Kevin couldn't have a much nicer weather on their wedding day!  It was a picturesque setting, too, at the Waterview in Monroe, CT.  I saw the courtyard setting where the ceremony will be held and it was just absolutely gorgeous, I had to sketch it quickly - in watercolor - and later gifted it away for them.

   

Scooters

I sketched one of the three parked scooters during the less than 10 minutes before the my train to the city pulled into a stop at the Harrison station.

Azaleas

I clipped a bunch of azaleas and put it in a vase but never got to the intention of sketching it until one rainy evening.  It was for fun and experimenting with watercolor.