Summer Solstice

Last Friday, from 4:00-7:00 pm, on the day of the Summer Solstice, several musicians performed at open public spaces along Park Avenue between 38th and 50th Streets.  I caught the Jazz trio performing between the 38th & 39th Streets on Park Avenue where I made a quick sketch of them.  The drummer, Bryan, was the challenging person to sketch because he moved a lot in different poses while Eric and Jerry seem to come back to a familiar pose.  Once done, I went over and introduced myself, showed them the sketch, and asked for their name which they gladly wrote down on the page.  Incidentally, while I was doing this sketch, a lady name Madeline came over, asked to see what I was doing and if I'm an Urban Sketcher like herself.  A short conversation and a quick selfie pic together and then it was time to get on the train home.

A screen grab from Bryan Kopchak's IG posting that day.

The Whispering Wall

On the level section of the Grand Central Terminal, there's the famous whispering wall.  The soft whisper at one of the those corners and the sound is acoustically amplified and carried over the tiled ceiling wall onto the opposite end.   I don't think you get a "cross-line" if two simultaneous whispers emanate from the other corner.  Standing on one corner of the wall, I tried to sketch what was before me.  The next morning, I did the watercolor wash.

A crowded train home

This was a crowded train scene on the way home from work last week.  Sketched what was directly in front of me.

The Commuter Biker

A biker gets on the train at the next station on the way to Manhattan.  His was a regular size folding bike that folds in half.  Twice I've sketched him within the last two weeks.

At the barber shop

I needed a haircut last Saturday and I know I will be waiting a while so I brought my little sketch book with me and the mini Bic 4-color pen.  It was a good practice to say the least.

The NYC Public Library

I was trying the Direct-to-Watercolor, which from now on I will call "D2W", for this scene on my way home from work.  I chose the spot facing North by the entrance to the library, looking at the trees and a bit of the scene.  Not sure what would come out during my limited time but I managed to lay down most of the colors I saw.  Once I got home, I added more colors and here's what came out of it.

Waiting and sketching

Last week, my brother and I showed up on our appointed date for some certified documents at the Spanish Consulate in NYC.   Though it was booked three weeks in advance, we still had to wait.  Made this one sketch while waiting for our turn.