The Red Boat

We made a quick stop at the south entrance of Mystic Seaport, CT on our way home last Wednesday.  I just wanted to sketch this little red boat by the entrance to the historic whaling town museum.  There is a fee to get inside the sprawling grounds to see the historic seaport, sailing ships and other structures.  For sure, I've done the seaport tour more than once in the past but for now, all I wanted is this sketch. 

700 Harbor Place

It was a bit disorienting once I exited out of 850 Canal Street Stamford Passport Office.  I knew I parked in front of the building but this view has to be the back parking area away from the street.  However, this spectacular view of renovated industrial buildings caught my attention.  Glad I brought the sketching tools with me.  

There's a small patch of puddle showing a bit of reflection of the building in the background.  I thought it would be a nice touch to this sketch.  Let's see what happens.  Most of the time, what I had in mind isn't translated well into my sketch.

Old Lighthouse Museum

The quaint little town of Stonington Borough, CT is just a little over 100 miles north of where I live.  My brother, Russell, has been there before and strongly suggested I do the same because he knew I would enjoy this place.  On this Fourth of July, Anne and I took a day drive and it didn't disappoint.  There's an old lighthouse museum that I was able to sketch.  First done in pencil, before adding a watercolor wash and some ink lines later.  A short video clip accompanying this entry.

The finished sketch with watercolor wash.

The pencil sketch.

The preliminary color wash.

Lunch at Legligin

Last year, we sampled the lunch special at this corner restaurant in the old walled city of Valletta, Malta.  The very charming appeal of this place made me sketch the scene.  

See the wine list.

The Rye Presbyterian Church

Coming down the road from the other end allowed me to discover this beautiful stone Gothic style Rye Presbyterian Church.  It was designed by the same architect who built the Trinity Church, Wall Street, in Manhattan, NY.

It was a challenge trying to resolve how to make the sketch fit on one page especially when pressed for time.  Using the height of the outer left wall as the base measurement, it was possible to get everything in on one page.  Before I left, I wrote down the ornate calligraphic inscription carved in stone atop the main door entrance.  

Lamy Safari Pen with De Atramentis Document Black Ink
Moleskine 7.5 x 7.5 sketchbook
Color wash added later at home.

At the Corner

Last Saturday afternoon, Anne and I went for a sightseeing drive of the country side near Bantam Lake before proceeding to the historic town of Litchfield, CT.  There are small boutique shops and stores occupying the street level retail spaces in these century old buildings along the Main Street.  

The street corner diner I remember many years ago has now been replaced with a more upscale restaurant & bar.  We found a bench by the end of this corner brick building where she took pleasure in watching people go about their summer day stroll while I sketched the scene.  The oval Serendipity marker was my reference measurement in relation to the whole scene.  The patriotic flag marks the side door entrance to the "At the Corner Restaurant and Bar".  How clever use of a business name!

Pencil, Pen & Ink, Staedtler Pigment Liner, Watercolor wash.  
Color added later at home.

  

Caramoor

About one mile east of the John Jay Homestead in Katonah, NY is the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts.  We discovered it on our way to John Jay two weekends ago.  We recently had a chance to revisit Caramoor again for an afternoon of exploration in its beautiful setting albeit a chance of a thunderstorm.  

We had just finished our lunch picnic at the tranquil Sense Circle when the thunderstorm rolled in.  Fortunately, the covered Garden Courtyard was nearby and provided shelter with this very nice view of the courtyard.  Got to sketch it!  I drew the lines in pencil, two page spread, and vowed to come back to color it another day.  That second opportunity materialized last Friday.

Next sketch project in Caramoor is the Rosen House but that will have to wait another day.

Note: It's free to get in Caramoor and hear free concert music playing in the background (if any).  No need to pay for concert tickets except you just don't get to see the artists performing live.  I don't mind that.  Oh, I've seen other picnic goers having their glasses of wine, too!

My pencil sketch of the building.

I was there sketching the courtyard.

A painted mural on the far right wall of the covered Garden Courtyard.

One of two murals depicting the use of the courtyard.