sketching continues

Didn't do as many sketches last week - will have to try to do better this week. I did finally invest in some artist quality watercolors for the first time so was eagerly awaiting my Dick Blick shipment this week.  I changed up my palette and added the new colors, then had to draw it!

I also ordered a couple of new sketchbooks - ones that seem to be favored by most of the urban sketchers I've been reading.  I got a Pentalic small 3x5 one (below) and then a larger one with heavier paper more suited to watercolor, a Stillman & Birn, alpha series (above).

I sat on my deck after work and drew this little sketch of my yard into the neighbor's.  We have a gorgeous red maple shrub that dominates this viewpoint.

We went to Virginia City to visit family - Dan's mom will be 93 in a couple weeks.  We stayed with his brother and wife and they have this lovely yard - tough to sketch, but I gave it a shot.  First time I painted on site in real time.  And, I did it all with no yellow - I totally ran out of yellow paint so couldn't get some of the greens I wanted, but.......the overall capture is fine.

Hope you're in the midst of a creative week!  Practice, practice, whatever your interest ---- do more of it!  :)

london bridge

My sketching efforts continue - from photos again this time.  London's Tower Bridge from whatever bridge I was standing on.....

First effort - Found I ended up with some extra space in the horizontal bridge sections - don't like that big white stripe. I do like the loose watercolor treatment. I didn't put any of the horizon detail in, the little buildings and towers etc - will work on that.... Dan didn't like the teal bridge elements.... so I tried again.

Drawn with Platinum carbon pen & filled with watercolors instead of my usual Inktense. It's fun working with watercolors again - another thing the urban sketching group has inspired in me!

Original photo:

This is Dan's birthday weekend and Valentine's Day, so we're kinda busy - but I'm going to take my sketching stuff with me as we go out and I'll see what I can manage to do......