Went out with the Urban Sketchers today – finally! The destination was the Sun Yat Sen Gardens and surrounding area. I sat at a bus stop and drew what was across the street. After two hours, my drawing didn’t seem finished so I added a few things later.
Today’s work is evidence that I have much practice to do. I think that I don’t know really how to organize or plan my drawing. I kind of see something, try to do a pencil draft then get caught up in too much detail and get frustrated. In the end, I may have a sketch but it’s not very…powerful, I guess. The composition isn’t thought out, there’s no real focus – my attention wanders from thing to thing… But it’s still fun. It’s challenging and there’s always a next time. And if I keep at it, maybe I’ll get better.
So, the Wild Turkey Tour is called the wild turkey tour only because I saw a couple of wild turkeys at the side of the road. They ran away too quick and I missed a photo op. The tour was a driving holiday through the Kootenays, a part of BC I hadn’t seen. Revelstoke, Nakusp – Hot Springs! – New Denver (charming), Kaslo (super interesting, especially the SS Moyie), Nelson, Grand Forks and the odd but interesting Greenwood. I didn’t get a lot of drawing done but managed a couple of quick sketches.
Nelson Brewery Company and various other studios/businesses – really rushed because it was starting to rain.
A shed near the Trans Canada trail in Greenwood (and our picnic table). Also rushed because we wanted to start the next leg of the journey. Quick drawings are actually a good thing, I’ve decided. Helps to quell the annoying perfectionist in me. Must do More!
A few of the monoprints I did over Christmas were soft dreamy landscapes, not quite defined or finished. I added some charcoal and a bit of pastel to this one. It’s reminiscent of some wanderings over the Yorkshire countryside I did a few years back. There’s no sheep in it though. Perhaps they’re hiding behind the trees.
“Yorkshire Field”, oil monoprint on paper, with charcoal and pastel, 12″ x 9″
