Afternoon Session: The Promenade at Brooklyn Heights

There are so many nice houses in this Historic Landmark neighborhood.  I chose to sketch this brick house at the corner of Remsen and Montague Streets, near the Entrance to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.  There was another sketcher working on the opposite view.  My back slightly turned against the beautiful view of the lower tip of Manhattan.  I had to do more finishing touches on this sketch at home.

The Promenade at Brooklyn Heights

The views of lower Manhattan and the Lady Liberty are outstanding from this side of the East River.  It was the perfect day to be sketching outside.

A work neighborhood scene

Two blocks away from our office is this modern brick building at a street corner.  It has a "Deli" sign that I didn't include in the sketch because I painted the spot for it on the page and lost all that white space for the lettering.  The few houses atop this little uphill street was enough to pique my interest to sketch this scene.

  

At the Conservatory Garden

The Conservatory Garden is a formal garden in the northeast section of Central Park in New York City.  It is a very popular venue for wedding party photography.  While sketching this scene, I saw at least five different wedding parties had their photos taken on the steps of the Vanderbilt Gate.  Soon, an older gentleman ascending the steps using the handrail for support, stopped and asked if he could see what I was doing.  His daughter companion said he's an artist, too.  I would later find out more of his background in the short time we met.  Before he left, he gave me his phone and address details should I swing by that direction one day.  It is this kind of interaction with strangers, borne out of the sketching activity, that brings me joy.

NYC USk Grand Re-Opening

Saturday, July 10, 2021 was the first time in a long time (1.5 years) that the NYC Urban Sketchers met  and sketched together in-person at the beautiful Central Park Conservatory Gardens.  Everyone was excited and happy to finally be able to do away with the mask, to do fist bumps, rub elbows, shake hands, and even give hugs for some.  The sense of belongingness, camaraderie, and friendship was just amazing.  It was just wonderful to see all the happy faces and beautiful smiles.  So instead of sketching the Burnett Memorial Fountain, I sketched these Urban Sketchers in front view.

Weekend sketch outing

Fourth of July, Sunday, was the last day of my vacation week and it was a day spent sketching with my NYC USk friends in the city.  It was an unofficial event, just the six of us wanting to get out and be with like minded individuals.  We met by the Bow Bridge in Central Park.  Using a Sepia water soluble pencil, I started a rough outline of the panorama and put in some figures based on what I've seen.  Didn't feel like applying watercolor on the spot so I switched to a ball point pen drawing of my friends, Julie and Danna. Once I got home, I added the watercolor wash to the Bow Bridge sketch.  It was great to see them after a very long time!

An Italian Restaurant

In-Car sketching yesterday afternoon along US Route 1 North. An Italian restaurant, La Piccola Casa, facing the Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck, NY. It's sign says "Fine Northern Italian Cuisine". A waiter stood at the entrance long enough to be added to the scene. Note his head outline. Actually, he wasn't looking over his right shoulder. It was a happy accident after filling in a patch of the brown colored wall panel.

People-sketch exercises

Done with the car tire replacement.  It's on my local stay-cation "to do" list this week.  Waiting isn't a problem.  Actually, I do enjoy waiting and doing sketches.  Here, I practiced with people gestures.  Several of them.