Cafes Shmafes

Useless Bay Coffee... again. I promise I shall post some other subjects very soon. Other than dogs too. The gentleman sitting next to me had an interesting profile which I drew twice. There was such a fast turnaround of people, that I just drew over the previous I had drawn.

I have to add that I picked up a Kuretake brush pen. It's a dream! Where has it been my whole life? Now I'll try the Pentels and see how they compare.

Saturday Sketching at Bayview Corner

Sketched with my friend, Sue, this afternoon at Bayview Corner, a historic landmark here on Whidbey Island. People were hard to come by as drawing subjects, so did my best. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.

Star Store chef planning a menu, it looked like.

There's a large atrium, so I tried to convey the openness.

I think this captures a better view of it, though a narrow slice.

Eve Oranges

It was a nice, mellow Christmas. I'm now typing with War of the Worlds on in the background. One of my guilty pleasures are old Sci Fi movies. New ones too. I digress. Just a few sketches...

Drawing Funky and Eating Pie

Today was our scheduled drawing day for Whidbey Sketchers. Unfortunately I arrived late to our destination, Betty Rayle's art studio at Greenbank Cellars Winery, with only 20 minutes left to draw Lisbeth, our model. She's our newest member. I brought my oil pastels, so thought I'd do a quick study.

My work, it seems, is becoming downright funky and less concerned about draftsmanship and accuracy. I used to like delicate lines but have come to enjoy strong, direct marks. It's just more fun.


Lisbeth


Two of us then migrated to Whidbey Pies Cafe down the road to do some more sketching. And of course, pie.


Some people enjoying a late afternoon sandwich. They were discussing their passion for horses, I think.

Rainy Afternoon

Took the dogs for a walk down to the beach this afternoon and packed my little watercolor kit and sketchbook. On our way back we sat at a picnic table under a shelter at Scatchet Head Community Center to paint for a few minutes. Lots of cloud layers speeding by and interesting wind patterns on the water. A heavy mist blew in making speckles like salt in the wet paint, documenting the weather conditions at the time and what we were soon to be walking home in. This picture is of Sandy Point across Cultus Bay. I love the colors this time of year. All are subtle variations of reds, greens, blues, and violets. All grays, but brilliant to me. And the atmospheric rain softening the landscape more so. Lots of houses to complicate the painting. Finally got chilled and packed up. It was a very nice walk. Now, time for a warm chocolate chip cookie with a glass of milk.

Sketching at Greenbank Store

We, of Whidbey Island Sketchers, had a wonderful day sketching at the Greenbank Cafe and Store. The cafe is in a loft that overlooks the store, allowing one a birds eye view of the goods below. The whole place is full of drawings to be done with it's friendly old country funk, wrought iron and wood staircase, and well worn creaky floors. The decorative antique wood stove downstairs was a great piece to center on so it was a must to include. I began in the cafe with a little black and white drawing fully intending to look over the railing down onto the store to sketch, but didn't get to it. All in all, it was a great day of drawing, and meeting new and interesting people.

More Dog Play

Just received my new little traveler Windsor and Newton Cotman watercolor set and had to give it a try using Reese as a model. I really like it. The colors aren't as transparent as my usual kit, but they dissolve easily which is much less wearing on brushes. It's very compact with three trays of mixing wells. Has a little water bottle, two little cups and a little brush. I'll carry a few extra of those. All folds snugly together. Now I don't have to carry a big backpack for all my gear. Just a medium size one! I'm getting it down. Included are a couple sketches done with colored pencils.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

So I can draw them. At some point I hope to become a rapid drawer, catching visual moments in my mind and able to put them down on paper. Dogs running, birds flitting, horses scratching. Zoey and Reese, my two dogs, had settled down for a good chew on their bones so I tried to capture them in gestures. Their heads, paws and bodies were in constant motion shifting back and forth. I ended up with just lines that don't describe much, so I'm posting just one of Zoey. I did take advantage of Reese after he decided to nap on the couch. He kept looking at me with that "stop looking at me" look. But then his eyes got heavy and he drifted off, occasionally opening one eye to see if I was still at it. Zoey is acutely aware of anything looking at her such as a camera or me. In this case, she was oblivious. Too good of a chew.

Zoe, busy with her bone.



Reese, fast asleep.



Reese peering at me. So how big are those ears? Huge!



Long legged boy.

Living Green, and Other Colors

A few drawings from today's excursion to Living Green, a little store and Cafe in Langley, Washington. Was feeling a bit discombobulated. Though I like the drawing of my friend, it's a more colorful palette than I usually use. I do love color, and the environment was crazy with it.



The line drawing below was a sketch done at one of our members houses. Her husband and another friend having lunch.

Group Sketching Commences!

We started a sketchers group here on Whidbey Island called Whidbey Island Sketchers. Here are some thoughts and sketches from our last couple sketching sessions. Sorry for the repeat images from my Prints and Process blog. All drawings from here on out will be posted on this blog.

We met at Useless Bay Coffee Co. in Langley last week. Sue, Sherryl, Faye and myself. This week it'll be Living Green in Langley at 10am for those who would like to join us. Everyone is welcome.

It feels so great to be sketching like this again! On location in public places is allot of fun. Challenging too. People in motion at all times, lots of distractions, from little kids to people wondering what we're up to. From the start I've kept my expectations for my making any decent drawings way down. As in having none. Just enjoying the simple act of drawing in the moment with no pressure.
I find our little mini critiques very helpful and interesting. Everyone has different insights on why a drawing works, which makes the whole experience more like being in a classroom. Though, we have more fun than a class. So I'm really looking forward to growing, and also watching our other members make their pictures, mature and evolve. Seeing their processes and thinking is interesting and educational. And the mutual support is great!