New Year in the Florida Everglades

We drove thru the Florida Everglades and snapped some photos of the local fauna.  Below are a couple of simple watercolors I did in my Strathmore watercolor journal (5.5x8.5 inch; 140 lbs paper).  I tried out a new technique to try and improve my color mixing.  

                                                           "Egret study #1"

                                                  "Submerged Gator"

                                               "Egret study #2"

Reminder: Sketching at Duke Farms, Saturday, July 15, 1-4pm

The weather looks good for an afternoon of sketching.  Refer to the previous post for details on time and directions.  Please add a note here if you think you might attend or send me an email at jeffreycharlesworth@gmail.com. Just want to have an idea of who will show up. Look forward to seeing New Jersey Sketchers!

Sketching at Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ July 15, 2017

Join us for an afternoon of exploring the green infrastructure of the Duke Farms campus--both architecture and landscape.

Visitors Orientation Center

We'll have a chance to see:
The LEED-Plantinum Visitors Orientation Center
Constructed wetlands for natural treatment of waste water.
Storm water bio-swales
Permeable paving in parking lots.
Rain water harvesting
Green roofs
Renewable energy components
Community gardens.
Or just visit their woodlands and meadows.

Constructed Wetlands for Waster Water Treatment

It's a great chance to learn about sustainable design and building in architecture and landscape architecture.

Meet at the Visitors Orientation Center at 1pm.  We'll spend three hours on site and meet up at 4pm to share our work.  Go to their website  www.dukefarms.org for further information and directions.

For questions, contact group leader Jeff Charlesworth at jeffreycharlesworth@gmail.com

San Diego

Had the occasion for both a business trip and vacation in San Diego, home to one of my my favorite zoos.   I love the opportunity to sketch the animals. 

                                  This gorilla was so majestic and so. . .sad.  

Sleeping Rhino

Mission Bay, San Diego

Vacation in Washington State

Took a vacation to Seattle and northern Washington state this past summer.  Was able to take advantage of the beautiful vistas and paint on site (and took lots of reference photos for later).
 

Deception Park Pass Bridge, Fildalgo/Whidbey WA
watercolor pen & ink on 110 lbs paper (PS)

Deception Park Pass Park

watercolor pen & ink on 5.5X17 paper

Deception Park Pass Park

watercolor  on  paper

Practicing with a folded nib pen

I have been wanted to try out a folded nib pen for a long time.  This was done using Daniel Smith walnut ink.  

                                walnut ink 10x7 on 140lbs paper

The pen is a custom, hand crafted folded nib pen created by Tim Leigh.  They are works of art in and of themselves. 

SKETCH DAY IN NEW HOPE, PENNSYLVANIA

Sketchers gathered on a warm August Sunday to explore New Hope, Pennsylvania, just over the Delaware River from Lambertville, New Jersey.  We started at the restored train station and surroundings for the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad and after lunch continued down to the Delaware River for views of Lambertville.  And just before the rain arrived we had a guided tour of recently installed sculptures given by Colleen Pritchard of New Hope Arts.

We discussed future outings for this fall.  Possible sites:  Asbury Park and Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick. Can we hear from members about these choices (or others) and volunteers to help organize the events?  Look forward to seeing more of you this fall.