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)

Monastery Cacti

It's been two years since I was able to paint at the Mater Dolorosa Monastery, Provence?.  I've always enjoyed seeing the cactus garden there but never tried a painting so I was looking forward to revisiting that area.  The garden seemed to be going through some clean up or revitalizing.  I found a view I liked where I could try some backlit cactus spines.  Another beautiful plein air painting day with a great turnout of artists.

8" x 10" Watercolor

Heritage Square Revisit

It was a beautiful day to paint at the Heritage Square Museum.  It's a collection of local, historically significant Victorian-era buildings.  They were moved to Heritage Square between 1969 and 2005, saved from demolition at their original locations.

The last  time I painted there, five years ago, I felt that my painting failed.  On this visit, things went much better.  An improvement is a good thing!

8" x 10" Watercolor

Valley Knudsen Garden Residence

An hourly tour

Perry Residence 1876

La Casita Entrance

Last month we had a beautiful Saturday paint-out at La Casita Del Arroyo in Pasadena.  There are a lot of views to paint from this location on the edge of the arroyo.  On my previous visit I tried the Colorado Street Bridge from the Casita parking lot, First 2018 Painting.  On another visit I painted a gouache piece from the lower level, La Casita Squirrel.  This time the light on the driveway, the oaks, and vintage lamp post at the entrance gate caught my eye.  Hard to capture the beautiful, dappled light.

5" x 7" Watercolor

La Casita

La Casita and the Bridge