Reportage drawing

CT - Stamford - March for Our Lives Event, March 24 12:00 PM.
Mill River Park
1055 Washington Blvd.
Stamford, CT 06901

I wanted to be there today.  Excited to see many people line up at the Park entrance.  'Text "March" to 64433 and be counted!', this lady repeatedly shouted.  Too bad, I didn't write down what her printed shirt message was because I couldn't remember it now.  Inside the park, speakers took turns one after another.  Young and old alike.  The message echoing loudly in the distant background on this bright and sunny spring day.  Nary a white cloud in the azure blue sky.  It's windy.  I feel the chill in the air.  I feel the sadness.  I feel the energy.  I feel the change.  It is blowing in the wind.

The Boat Landing Area

Two other cars were there at the parking lot in front of the shrink wrapped boats in off season storage.  A man presumably was readying one of these boats.  I settled in my driver seat but couldn’t figure out what pen to use on this Moleskine sketch pad.  The pencil works well but I prefer the fountain pen.  In the end I used them all - fountain pen, mechanical pencil, watercolor pencil.  Final coloring touch ups added at home.

A resource discovery

I've been glued to James Gurney's blog!  He's the author of Dinotopia book series.  I remember reading them to my daughter and son at bedtime during the 90's.  Together, our imagination easily transport us to that make believe time when people and dinosaurs live together. 

As I slowly track back to the older blog entries, it became clear that his blog is a treasure trove of information.  What a joy to find this resource!  Now, if only I know when to stop backtracking because I need my sleep, too.

Spring 2018 - Day 2

It looks pretty outside.  This month's fourth Nor'easter left a white blanket of snow on the ground.  Accumulation wasn't bad as was projected but enough keep the plow busy.  As I stood outside, I noticed the slight yellow orange glow of the morning sun hitting the scene before me.  What a refreshing sight!  I have to get this down on my sketch pad (minus the color).

TWSBI Diamond 580 with De Atramentis Document Brown
Platinum Carbon Ink Pen with De Atramentis Document Brown

Terra Cotta Roof

I found this entry made on February 24, 2017 from one of my finished sketchbooks.  This must have been made using the Platinum Carbon Ink Pen because of the very fine lines.  Note the visual color reminders entered on the upper right corner.  I guess I was planning to watercolor the terra cotta roof tiles.

Thumbnail sketch

Drawing big scale isn't in my comfort zone and yet I've been trying to make it happen.  I must say, I'm just as happy with some nice looking small art sketches I made in the past.  However, something happened along the way that made me want to upscale the size of my sketches.  I guess seeing bigger size work from others is just too inviting not to try.    

There are advantages to doing smaller sketches: 

1.  Working in a smaller scale isn't as intimidating.
2.  Working with details is easier because it is smaller in size.
3.  Finishing the work is faster.  Well, maybe.

Anyway, I think I know what to do next.  Here's a small sketch I did today.  It's small, it may even qualify as a thumbnail sketch!

  

A Monday Sketch in Port Chester, NY

After filling my car with gas at a station in Port Chester, I drove by this interesting building along Grace Church Street.  Diagonally across from it is the Fire Engine Station and an open parking spot.  Perfect for sketching!  Once I got most of the lines, I went home and added more details and watercolor.  You'll see the paper buckling in many areas because I really went to town with applying watercolor!