More Architecture

A recent Saturday paint-out was at Pasadena's new Desiderio Park.  Not only is there a spectacular view of the 1912 Colorado Street Bridge but there's a nice view of the 1920 Vista Del Arroyo Hotel.  It's extensive and has many windows.  Lots of editing required to do a quick sketch.  I tried sketching with the pens I'm enjoying using.  I also added some watercolor.  My previous watercolor of the old hotel, now a U.S. Court of Appeals, A New Park.

A few weeks before, we met at Eliot Middle School in Altadena, architects Marston and Mayberry.   Our pieces are meant for a future auction to benefit the school.  My previous gouache piece of the school is here, Some Architecture.

7" x 5" Pens

5" x 7" Watercolor

It's BERNIE

Of course it's Bernie.  I had to do it, what an opportunity.  Since I've been enjoying seeing all of the fun and creative images of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Inauguration Day, I had to try one.  As you probably know, the photo of Bernie set off thousands of photoshopped versions shared on social media.  He's been relocated across time, inserted into historical moments, famous paintings, as well as everyday situations.  Our Saturday painting group organizer suggested a portrait of someone famous for this week's prompt.  Perfect!  I decided to move Bernie to California to do some plein air painting.  Maybe it's because I've been missing painting outside for almost a year now.   I think my Bernie is at Arlington Garden on a cold day for painting outside.  

Watercolor and pen sketch

photo by Brendan Smialowski

Birthday Flowers

 My birthday was last month.  Our daughter came by for a socially distanced porch visit.  It was so nice to see her since we haven't been able to see each other too often during the pandemic.  She usually brings me a birthday bouquet as she did for this birthday.  I've never tried painting or sketching the flowers before.  They were so pretty,  I had to paint them.  I did a watercolor and also a dry mixed media sketch on toned paper using pens and pencils.  My florals need more practice!   

7" x 5" Watercolor 

8" x 5" Mixed Media Sketch

Winter Light

There was a big, well-attended flea market and paint-out at the Old Mill recently.  It was put on by the California Art Club so the flea market had an emphasis on art related items.  It was very busy and fun to see some old friends there.  Some of my Saturday paint-out friends were sketching in the quiet Pomegranate Patio area. so I joined them there.  I really loved the winter light streaming through the bare pomegranate trees.  Years ago I painted from the same spot in the fall, Fall At The Old Mill, when the trees weren't quite as bare.  I tried some pen first and then added watercolor.  A fun day!

7" x 5" Pen and Watercolor

Hillside Sketch

I've enjoyed trying more pen sketching at some paint-outs.  The Southwest Museum was a recent location which I always enjoy.  There are vast views from both sides of the hilltop parking lot.  On my previous visit I painted a watercolor, Two Hillsides.  On this recent visit, I tried the west side view of homes on the opposite hillside.  It was another pretty day there, and many more views to paint.

7" x 5" Pen and Watercolor

Pomegranates and Succulents

I have a few sketches to post, so here are two featuring gardens and plants.  I've been driving by Mission Gardens but had not stopped to check it out.  They specialize in decorative arrangements.  I especially liked the succulents growing in frames so I set up my sketching spot next to the curb to try out some pens.

The pomegranate trees surrounding the patio at the Old Mill finally had beautiful red, ripe pomegranates.  We were waiting for them ripen, and planned to visit to draw or paint them.  Fortunately it was a bright morning, making the pomegranates look so pretty and red in the sun.

7" x 5" Pen Sketch (Stabilo)

5" x 7" Pen and Watercolor

Two Autumn Sketches

I've enjoyed doing more sketches and trying some of the great pens available now.  One of the Facebook groups has a monthly sketch event which I like to participate in.  It's not a competition, just for fun and practice.  For the autumn season I've done two autumn themed sketches for the group's event.  The rose hip, and Nandina, Heavenly Bamboo, berries were both in my own garden.  Of course I add a little watercolor.

Rose Hip

Nandini berries (Heavenly Bamboo)

2 Parks 2 Sketches

I'm enjoying doing some plein air sketches and trying out some new pens.  Of course they are smaller and less demanding than a larger watercolor.  They are a little quicker too which is sometimes a good thing on a Saturday.  So, here are recent sketches from paint-outs at two parks, Garfield in South Pasadena and Memorial in Sierra Madre.  The sketches were a fun thing to try from these locations where I've previously done watercolor and gouache paintings.

5" x 7" Garfield Park, South Pasadena, pen and watercolor

7" x 5" Memorial Park, Sierra Madre, pen and watercolor

Saturday Sketches

I've been enjoying doing some sketches at some of our Saturday paint-outs.  I use a variety of pens to draw the scene.  Then I like to add some watercolor.  I've never been good at keeping a sketchbook so I'm happy to work some sketching into my artwork.

5" x 7" Sketch at Grant Park

5" x 7" Sketch at Singer Park

Potting and Bird Seed table at Darryl's

Spring Flowers!

With a winter season of more than normal rainfall here in Southern California, the flowers this spring have been gorgeous.  Last week two paint-out groups had some wonderful purple/lavender Jacaranda trees to paint.  This year the trees' flowers seem to me to be more vibrant than we usually see.  A few months ago painters were noticing the many hillsides covered with bright yellow mustard flowers where there had been dried weeds before.  So many beautiful views to paint!

Watercolor  10" x 8"

Pen and Watercolor Sketch 5" x 7" Avenue 64

Watercolor 5" x 7" at Elephant Hill

Sketchbook, pens and watercolor

Every Day in May

Every May there is a world wide challenge to do a sketch for every day of the month.  In late April a list of subjects, or prompts, one for each day, is posted on several social media sites, like Facebook and Flickr.  This is the fifth year I've participated.  I haven't ever done a sketch for each day, but try to do as many as I'm inspired to sketch.  Each year I've tried to attempt a different way to sketch, using different materials or a different approach to the subjects.  This year I'm trying to just use a variety of pens and not any watercolor.  It's always a challenge but so much fun, and great to see how other artists interpret the subjects.

Azalea and Jade

Since it's spring, I've felt like trying some paintings of flowers...a closer view instead of my usual landscapes.

The azaleas below were painted at our local Arboretum last week.  The cafe there, the Peacock Cafe, had a peacock appropriately posing for photos on the sign.  At Arlington Garden I tried a potted "sunset" variegated jade plant which was such a bright yellow that I couldn't resist.  And last Saturday I sketched my friend Barbara's potted porch plants.  I've found that I need much more practice on flowers!  That does sound like a fun goal.

7" x 5" Watercolor

7" x 5" Watercolor

 

Stabilo and Micron pens