Spring on Klockner Road

I wanted to try out my new Caran D'Ache watersoluble wax pastel crayons, and what better subject that my favorite tree?  Exactly.  And to complete the sketch, I found this quote from Hal Borland.  The quote was a perfect compliment, especially using Pilot Isoshizuku chiku-rin ("Bamboo Forest" yellow green) ink (written with Brause 361 "Blue Pumkin" nib). 

                     Watersoluble crayons and chiku-rin (Isoshizuku) ink on 180lbs paper

The Brause No. 361 "Blue Pumpkin" nib with Brause Bandzug italic nib reservoir attached.

Lines Down at Miry Run

Lines Down at Miry Run

The lines were down at Miry Run and the street was partly blocked for crews to chainsaw the trees. Morning sketch plans changed instantly to capture the scene of trees vs. lines for phone, cable tv, and power. Before their death sentence was carried out by the chainsaw crews.

I pulled  quick U-turn. It was sunny, air was damp and cool, winds were starting to whip up. I took refuge down the street in the rolling studio (car). 

Today's sketch was done on 9 in x 12 140 lb (300 g) Canson Watercolor Aquarelle Paper. Copic brush pen for trees and roadside barriers and Copic 0.30, and 0.70 for lines that were down. I started with Daler and Rowney Travel 12 watercolors in the rolling studio and shifted to the local cafe for the large washes. 

I was splashing on so many washes the paper soon hit its limits and buckled. (me having too much fun and being impatient.) I had to control the rockin' and rollin' puddling of colors and blooms as best I could by tipping the paper pad as it slowly dried. Who ever said watercolors are easy, just didn't do enough watercolors. I was pleased with catching the moment. 

SATURDAY: World Wide Sketchcrawl #47

Come Sketch in New Brunswick, New Jersey 

for  Rutgers Day 

and 

World Wide Sketch Crawl.

Saturday April 25, 2015

There will be 2 events that day, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Event 1- Sketch Cook Campus. 10:00am to 4:00 pm. 

Start at Blake Hall on Cook Campus.

Come and draw around Cook Campus and Passion Puddle. Guided 30-45 sketch walks will get you started and you can spend the day sketching around campus. Guided walks at 11:00 and 2:00. 

Sketchbook and pencils provided!

Event 2 - Sketch New Brunswick. 10:00am to 4:00 pm. 

Start at Blake Hall on Cook Campus.

A student led sketch walk will go from Cook campus to downtown New Brunswick and back, sketching landscapes and landmarks. This activity is co-coordinated with SKO/L and SKO/L Santurce Art

For more information or questions contact Richard Alomar, richard.alomar@rutgers.edu

Hamilton, NJ: Sayen Gardens Continuous Line Drawing (Part 1)

Hamilton NJ Sayen House and Gardens Continuous Line Drawing

Sayen House and Gardens in Hamilton NJ is in full bloom and bursting with beautiful flowers, shrubs, trees, grounds, house and features. I followed up on Joy Hecht's suggestion for taking a line for a walk through a park or gardens visit. 

Today I drew the highlights my walk through Sayen Gardens as each scene appeared in front of me in one continuous line for the whole walk.  I was able complete this series of five scenes in about an hour and ten minutes, including Sketching, walking walking, and taking photos,

 I didn't have a single piece of paper large enough for the full walk (in my rolling studio), so I used five sheets of Canson XL 140 lb (300g) 9 inch x 12 inch (22,9cm x 30,5cm) Aquarelle Watercolor Paper. 

I made sure to mark the starting and ending point of my line with a drawn arrow, and made sure to align start and end points of the line between each drawing. I can join the finished pieces when I get back to my full studio.

Gate to Gardens - Sayen House and Gardens in Hamilton NJ

Sayen Gardens Path - Example of Continuous Line Connections

Sayen House and Gardens - Continuous line Drawing

Sayen House and Garden Hamilton NJ Continuous Line Drawing

Go to Part two to see more "Taking a line for a walk" in Sayen Gardens.

Hamilton Marketplace, Hamilton, NJ: Morning Paper

Morning Paper

This morning the pouring rain and dramatic grey clouds kept me indoors at the coffee shop. Raylie Dunkel organizes the Thursday, NYC Urban Sketchers. This week the idea is to start with continuous line drawings. I decided I'd take the cue from her notice and try a continuous line drawing. It was a first for me. I enjoyed the challenge. I backtracked in a few places (I hope that's OK). Results were quick and satisfying for a first try.

I was given a pack of pens and they resurfaced recently. Today I used the Pilot Varsity MultiPack disposable fountain pens. They make a good steady medium width line in colorful inks. They are a good choice for continuous line drawing in various hues. If you need deep colors, you may want to use something else. The ink is water soluble. The MultiPack has 7 pens in a range of lively colors (pink, purple, green, blue, light blue, and black).

If there are conventions or "rules" for continuous line drawing feel free to let me know and share your art too.

Urban Sketchers Manifesto Monday: 1

1. We draw on location, indoors or out, capturing what we see from direct observation.

This simple premise is the foundation of all "Urban Sketching". It changes everything. 

I've been in landscape painting workshops where very early on the instructor suggests eliminating the graveyard in front of the barn, and moving the mighty oak tree from one side of the painting to the other. This is all under the banner of "composition" or "artist license". Both of those concepts have their time and place. But, so does working on location AND capturing what we see from direct observation. 

Most art movements have a manifesto so they can define their intentions and even set themselves apart from some other art movements. I believe this first principle is the key one that distinguishes "Urban Sketching" from its close cousin- modern day plein air painting (where shifting the world around in time and space is often acceptable).

Urban sketching grew out of artist as reporter. Reporting the world around them and day to day drama as it unfolds, through their art. Some have gone on to make this a lively career choice. It informs our choices to select locations and themes. It infuses our art with stories and urgency that draws people and artists in.

One of my favorite urban sketching opportunities was the juxtaposition of headstones from the 1700's in the foreground of new construction behind St. Paul's Churchyard (209 Broadway, NYC, NY, facing Church Street/ WTC-Ground Zero). I was able to capture a sense of solemnity and remembrance that framed dynamic construction efforts leading to recovery and growth. I know that in a year or so the scene will be totally different with the buildings finished and the transportation center open. The headstones will continue as witness and touching memorials. My Urban Sketching captured a specific moment in time in the real world from direct observation.

Some people have asked if it's called "urban sketching" can you sketch in other places? The founders of Urban Sketchers have addressed this directly. They consciously chose not to limit the locations to urban ones only. In fact, they encourage it. It's fun to plan our art in terms of places, events, and opportunities through this artistic lens.


So, pick up your art supplies and jump right in. Stayed tuned for Urban Sketching principle 2. Share any comments reactions or your art in the comments section.