Sketch location: Green-Wood Cemetery

The NYC USk sketch location was at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY.  I've always wanted to sketch the architectural beauty of the main entrance to the cemetery.  Near the entrance, you can hear the loud green parrots that took residence on the upper reaches of the entrance towers.  On that beautiful autumn like day, I could have easily driven my car to Brooklyn but I opted to use the public transportation.  As always, it was a fun outing with the NYC Urban Sketchers.

A Commuter Sketch on Car 9222

On Wednesday, I made the 7:59am semi-express train to Grand Central Terminal.  I took the available seat toward the rear section of this car where I had a good view of the train conductor doing his job collecting fares/tickets from the riding public.  Luckily, I observed him fast and got his stance right on this sketch.  The lady passenger got up from her seat once we passed the last station and before arriving at Fordham Station.  The picture was taken after we reached destination.  P.S.  I just noticed the date 9222021 and the car number 9222.  Some coincidence.

A Commuter Sketch on Car 9639

It was one of those mornings when I have the two seater row to myself. One row over, another passenger got the three seater to himself, too. All I could spy was part of his legs, maybe the hands on the phone, but mostly the fairly new black Timberland work boots. And that was what I sketched on that trip to work.

The Orange Cones

It was a scene I couldn’t resist sketching after work last Wednesday and I know it wouldn't be there for another day. Con-Edison workers at the corner of 5th Ave and 38th Street in Manhattan. The bright orange cones drew my interest. Added pen colors at home.

The Charging Bull Sculpture

A sketch of The Charging Bull sculpture from last Sunday's NYC USk outing in the Financial District. There wasn't a line of people yet when I got there before 10am. Took as selfie before positioning myself in between the stalls of nearby street sidewalk souvenir vendors. Soon the tourists came and I start filling my sketch with fun figures.

Michael and Willy the Python

Went sketching at the Financial District in Manhattan with the NYC USk group last Sunday. After lunch, I headed out to the pier at Battery Park where I saw this young fellow with a Burmese Albino Python pet hanging around his neck like an 80 lbs necklace. I would later learn Michael is the owner of "Willy" the Python.

Each time a ferry start docking to unload passengers, Michael would enthusiastically call the tourist's attention with raised hands, shouting "Do NOT be afraid, Do NOT be afraid!", "Put them on you!", "It looks good on me, it looks BETTER on you!" "Who's next?, Who's next?" I've seen several tourists line up to get their chance for a picture with Willy hanging over their neck at $10 a pop.

A Commuter Sketch on CAR 9161

I don't know what sketch will develop once I board my train but I first note down the car number, date and time. Yesterday morning, I started this sketch with her partially visible elbow, hoping to make it down to her shiny black rubber rain boots, until she shifted out of view. The man behind her seat came into focus as I noticed his weathered brown boots. And it just grew from there until I ran out of space on this page.

A Car Show Sketches

A car show was held last month to benefit a local church.  I got there late in the afternoon and most of the car exhibitors were wrapping up for the day.  This shiny black 1939 Chevrolet sedan was so interesting to sketch but even more interesting were this couple seated in picnic chairs just behind the car.  I suppose they were the owners.  And then this sketch of another car that I forgot to mark down the model year.  Again, I became more interested in the people nearby.

Labor Day Concert and Fireworks

The Town of Harrison, NY held a Labor Day concert and fireworks show on Sunday evening.  It was nice to see the fireworks show push through even though the setup area got flooded several days ago due to heavy rain from Hurricane Ida.  Some rain also occurred today in the afternoon.  To sketch this scene, I stood at the corner Halstead Ave and Macy Street looking in the direction of Oakland Avenue.  First, I tried using my new Platinum Century 3776 FP in 14k SF nib but the lines came out too wide to my liking.  I switched to the trusted Zebra F-301 and got the results I wanted.

The "Rigoletto" Opera at Bryant Park

Friday night, I made a stop at the Bryant Park Picnic Performance before catching the 7:36 PM train home.  Featured last Friday was the New York City Opera - "Rigoletto"   I started this new sketchbook (a gift from a friend) and was able to draw parts of the orchestra rehearsal, the gentleman in khaki jacket, and a stage scene. This is what I like about working in the city.  There are many things to capture in a sketch.  If only there's more time....

A Commuter Sketch on Car 9362

There weren't many passengers on Car 9362 on the return trip home from work last Monday.  Thus my sketch choice was limited to the legs as seen from where I was seated.  He elevated and propped both knees against the back of the seat in front of him.  Then he crossed his legs.  I realized his boat shoes look interesting enough to be sketched.

 

A Commuter's Every Day Carry

Yesterday's commuter sketch was about things. A lady commuter secured the upright electric scooter next to her seat with the helmet straps anchoring it in place. This to prevent tipping over when the locomotive car sway from time to time. On the return trip home, a tactical military style backpack was an interesting subject in place. Happy news: I finished that sketchbook... on to a new one!