Another Christmas Market Scene

The Bryant Park Christmas Market was our first stop last Friday, a day after Thanksgiving, for our day trip to the city.  You know the gift giving season is in the air.  I made a sketch from the steps just above the rows of stalls along West 42nd Street.

A Union Square Park Scene

We visited the Holiday Markets in the city a day after Thanksgiving Day to see some wonderful selections of things to buy as presents.  While she browsed the market stalls, I stayed in one spot outside of the market area and sketched this scene.  It was fun to see people going about their ways heading into the holidays. 

Waiting at the 42nd Street Station

A week ago, I was early to meet up with my son at the 42nd Street Grand Central subway station.  Not a problem, I had my sketchbook with me plus a performer was nearby for entertainment where I sketched this scene.  Soon, my son arrived and we both descended down the stairs to make the 7 train to Queens, NY.

A Commuter Sketch on Car 9163

I made a sketch of the train conductor using a Flair felt pen and added a passenger waiting to exit once we got to the next station.  I wasn't satisfied with the line quality.  I guess I haven't learned how to use it to advantage yet.  Thus, I switched to an almost dried-up ink brush pen to map out the figures and for easier line definition before adding the watercolor splash on it later.

A Commuter Sketch on Car 9312

Saturday morning train ride to the city.  I saw a knitter across the aisle from me on the same row.  I started the sketch with her and grew the scope to include the Asian couple in the front seat of her.

A Commuter Sketch on Car 9102

On Friday evening, I took a later schedule after having a birthday dinner with my son and his girlfriend.  On this train, I got the window side seating so I can see the reflection rather than the actual "nodding my head up and down movement" or the trying the "discreet look-up glance in a second" which can be embarrassing at times.  I caught him getting a quick nap before reaching the New Rochelle station.  He has a son who was dead tired and could hardly wake up once we reached that station.  

 

A Commuter sketch on Car 9394

I was focusing to sketch the seated lady until she became aware I was doing so.  After the Harlem/125th Street, I put down my ballpoint pen, dug out the colored pencils in my backpack, and added the commuters in color as several of them made their way to the train door area.  I like the Luminance color pencils.  I think it will become a new tool for my commuter sketch series.

A Commuter Sketch on Car 9163

A Tuesday morning delay for the 8:20am MNR train to the city.  Good for me because I had a late start to my day.  Once on board, I had to sketch the scene before me.

Practice Sketches, with colors!

Some of the more recent small sketches that I have fun adding colors today.  The small sketchbook is perfect to capture ordinary scenes like these.  A perfect companion for simple enjoyment.

 

The Clock inside the Grand Central Terminal

It's the famous clock at the center of the Main Concourse of the Grand Central Terminal.  First sketch for about 10 minutes on Thursday and same on Friday evening before catching the train ride home.  Also a good practice sheet for adding color at home.

 

A Commuter

I was able to sketch this commuter within a relatively good time.  The daily practice helps.  Sometimes, the sketch result should be left in its finished state but often, I wonder if a little color would add value to it.  A hit or miss.  Most of the time, it's a miss.  It's a good practice anyway.

 

The Commuters

Thursday morning commuters were packed on the 8:13 train to the city.  I initially took the aisle seat to get a nice view of the crowd by the train door but had to scoot over to the window side.  Naturally, my POV changed but I think I'm happy withe what came out of the sketch.

The scene that materialized after the POV shift.

The initial scene I was trying to build upon.

The completed scene.

Bikes and Scooters Parking Spot

The parked bicycles and scooters by the stairs to the raised platform at the Harrison train station that I've been meaning to sketch one day.  Since I missed my regualar train, I had enough time to capture the scene.  It was fitting that a commuter on Vespa scooter showed up at the last minute.  I had to incorporate him into this sketch.

A Commuter Sketch on Car 9620

When days become shorter and it gets dark much earlier, I find it useful to sketch from the train window reflection instead.  It gives me a whole new scene to sketch discretely.

The Construction Scene

The Stew Leonard's Grocery Store in Norwalk, CT is undergoing some renovation.  They're adding some more square footage to their already famous store.  I parked behind the fenced-in work area and saw a couple of light construction equipments that caught my interest.  In the middle of the scene, the Propane filling station.  I had to sketch it!

A Funny show with David Sedaris

Early October, we went to see David Sedaris' show at The Performing Arts Center, SUNY Purchase NY.  It was very well attended and to my delight, an opportunity to sketch some people.  It also turned out that there was a book signing line that we caught a glimpse of David. Yes, I partially sketched him.  I was wondering what the fuzz was all about with him but once the show started, it was just funny and entertaining as he read through his essays.  In the end, at the Q&A portion, he wondered why when someone sneezes and another person would automatically say "Bless you!".  He thought to himself, and decided to "just don't say anything when someone sneezes.  (or maybe) you say just that - "You sneezed!"   I jotted the blurb and  Yes, I sketched David with the spotlight on him on the stage.