Going for a Walk

 

Have you ever found a drawing that you have no memory of doing?  Traditional pen and ink from 9 years ago, and have no idea where I sketched it! I'm most cases, I will see a painting or drawing that I have done in the past, and I'm instantly transported to that time and place.  I remember the sights, sounds, and weather of the day as I worked on location.  It's so strange that this completely draws a blank for me. And I found others, too.  Painting number 4795 in 4795 days.  

Mid-day at Union Station

When I heard it was time for #oneweek100people again, I was not going to participate.  I had so much to do, with several "Kansas City" themed paintings yet to complete for delivery to a local gallery.  But then I thought, where better to paint so many people at once than Union Station?  I had to be in the city anyway, so why not pop in and knock this out all at once?  It's fun inking these little people, and washing them with a wet brush.  Some are left defined, and some are only the illusions left behind after the washed ink was blotted up.  Even though I've met my weekly quota, I might just try this again in watercolor.  After all, I have a Plaza theme coming up......!  Painting number 3353 in 3353 days. 

Blank Canvas Gala

 I have never been to Salina, Kansas before today - and boy was it a treat!  The historic downtown district is full of vintage buildings and small town charm, with artistic embellishments sprinkled about.  I first sketched 2 pen and ink paintings of Sante Fe and the front of the Art Center, before deciding to work in oil.  I started blocking in the space when the band arrived.  As they practiced, I painted them in.  Once the patrons arrived, all dressed in white for the Blank Canvas Gala, I started painting them in as well.  As the light shifted to evening, I made a few adjustments as needed.  All three pieces were auctioned off, with intermission for 70 mph winds and hail.  Three tornado warnings later and the worst hail storm I've ever seen, I am now getting this posted.  I sure met a lot of nice people here today.  I'm looking first to visiting again when I have more time. Painting number 3040 in 3040 days. 

Messenger Coffee

What a treat to spend a morning at Messenger Coffee in Kansas City!  From coffee roasters, bakers, fireplace going on the upper terrace outside, to the bustle of people in the lobby standing at the counter, this place is full of painting opportunities!  The only place I could grab a chair offered me this painting vantage. I liked capturing the patrons as they came and went with their coffee and pastries.  I sketched the structural lines first, to give me a map to drop the people in, one at a time.  Once the drawing was complete, I started with the watercolor.  In a place like this, speed is key - so I painted fast!  Sketching with friends is certainly a wonderful place to explore places I would not otherwise see!  Painting number 1848 in 1848 days.

SOLD

Exit 13 Inked

The Urban Sketchers KC group met at Chicken and Pickle this morning, with the Swift Mile Street Fest only blocks away.  After first drawing the tents along the street, I focused on this wonderful band who was now in the middle of their set.  Wanting to draw this with black ink, I used my trusty Varsity Pilot, while my fancy fountain pens remained in my bag. I found out at location that a plein air event was in progress!  You know I had to join!  So the entire day was spent drawing, painting and barely delivering my MVIS Signature paintings to the Albrecht Kemper Museum before they closed up shop!  What a day!  Painting number 1705 in 1705 days.

ink on paper, 6x4
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Umbrellas at the City Market

Some days I hit the for running, and never slow down until I hit the pillow!  This has been such a day!  I had innumerable errands and chores sandwiched in between my regular busy schedule.  Painting class was super fun as I shared new techniques with my students.  With hardly enough time to prepare,  I hosted my sorority tonight for dinner and a meeting - and it is always so fun to catch up with my sisters!  Afterwards,  I started gathering all supplies for tomorrow's watercolor batik workshop.  All will have to be in the car - because I am going straight there from the gym.  I refuse to miss my workout,  so I must plan ahead for all I'll need.  I sure hope I can find time to eat!  Painting number 1587 in 1587 days.  👩‍🎨🎨

Plaza Shopping

As part of my "100 people in one week" challenge, I headed to the Plaza for some concentrated people sketching.  With each figure,  they get easier to sketch.  They don't stand still,  so I often get the top half done, and then use another person for the rest!  Although,  I'm doing this less as I get faster.  I'm way past the 100 now,  and let me tell you this simple challenge really improved my skills!  I've done this with cows, and am starting it with cars. It makes a huge difference!  Is there something you are uncomfortable drawing?  Draw it 100 times, and you will have mastered it!  Painting number 1583 in 1583 days  :)

Food Line at Rozelle Court

Time is not a thing to be squandered,  so when I saw how long the lunch line was,  I took my sketchbook with me!  With limited time,  I had to make fast decisions,  and the first was my composition.  It did seem a little crazy to draw the whole scene - but that was exactly what caked to me,  so I did it!  The first few marks were the central hall, people ahead of me,  and then the structural lines spreading out to the right.  Loose and fast,  I dropped in people,  tables, plants,  until the composition was finished - and it was my turn to grab a tray!  After enjoying soup and a croissant,  I added the color.  I think this very fast piece is my favorite of the day!  I love getting together with fellow artists at the monthly Art Mob event!  What better way to improve your skills than with friends?  Painting number 1534 in 1534 days  :)

Plaza Shoppers

This week's challenge of 100 people in one week has me trying all sorts of things.  First,  I drew a bunch in ink.  Next,  I painted 9 in a gallery interior. This scene has 20 figures in it,  and yesterday's painting was really just a sketch in watercolor with no drawing.  In this one,  I've first drawn then in ink and then painted them in with watercolor.  The hard part is getting them drawn before they exit the area, so I'm learning to really look at them before making the first mark. They are getting easier with each one drawn.  I still want to try some different techniques,  negative painting and some loose oil figures.  It is very hard to resist the blooming trees that have suddenly exploded all over town,  just to work on this challenge!  If only there were plenty of people flocking to the beautiful blooms!  Drawing number 1519 in 1519 days.

Opening at the Buttonwood

This week starts a challenge to paint 100 people in one week!  So,  I will concentrate on paintings with lots of people in them,  as well as doing some extra figure drawing!   What better way to improve those figure skills than this?  I'm not even close to the hundred yet,  and the thing is - they are already getting easier.  I'm getting their proportions faster,  the gesture of movement easier,  and it feels like the mechanics are just slipping into place.  Why didn't I do this earlier?  Well,  art is a journey,  and this is just a road I haven't taken before,  like so many others that lie before me.  I can't wait to see what this year will bring!  Painting number 1517 in 1517 days....I think.....!

Lisbon in Ink

I have started a sketch journal just for some of the fabulous places I find.  I've bought so many sketch books through the years that I have quite a supply.  Now that I find the khadi paper is what I love best, I can only use these others for theme work.  The new paper is unequaled, and it has absolutely ruined me for all other sketchbooks!  For this drawing, I look for one of the most abstract origins of patrons on my blog, and choose to paint something amazing from that location.  Today, that place I'd Portugal, and this is in Lisbon.  Such awesome architecture!   How I wish there was some architecture of this magnitude near me!  I  also love that there are so many people in this scene!  I have rendered them quickly, with gestural lines.  I plan to do an upcoming challenge of 100 people in one week!  Yikes!  This was good practice indeed!   Drawing number 1508 in 1508 days :)

Coffee & Red Umbrellas

Coffee & Red Umbrellas
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

Today, I feel like I have turned a corner on the small street scene paintings.  After struggling with these compositions, this one came together more naturally.  For one thing, I squinted way down to see the masses, and blocked them in by chunks.  I had been blocking in each person as they entered the composition, and this was not at all fluid.  I also used my palette knife (Princeton catalyst) to add some interesting texture.  I have not picked up a real palette knife since I first used a catalyst.  They have completely taken over the knife work for me.  I hope the next cafe scene flows even more smoothly!  This painting makes 1177 in 1177 days :)

Pink Umbrella Lunch

Pink Umbrella Lunch
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

Back to the cafe scenes - and back to struggling my way through!  I want to be loose, and therefore use impressionistic strokes, hoping to define the people with a few gestural strokes.  Why is this so challenging for me?  I may need to do 100 of these before they become natural - and I will surely need a straight jacket by the end of such a feat!  I will stick to it, even though I very much want to lapse into something fun and easy!  This cafe scene is the 1176th painting in 1176 days.

Blue Umbrella Cafe

Blue Umbrella Cafe
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

Oh my gosh!  This was such a challenge!  I think cafe scenes with people, chairs and umbrellas are SO HARD to paint successfully, and I really want to master this - so it is my subject du jour!  I started with my block in, and I had to keep correcting shapes and angles all through the process.  I had trouble seeing each plane as it really was.  With such a complicated composition, my left brain kept feeding me all of this linear information, which was completely wrecking my “painting all the masses” method.  I am not yet happy with this, but I have to start somewhere.  I will look at it again tomorrow.  I already think I need to pop all the lights, and loosen some of the edges on the main umbrella.  I think I’m going to need to paint a month’s worth of cafe scenes before I get them right.....and I’m already dreading the work.  Oh why didn’t I draw butterflies in pen and ink today?  I should have listened to my inner voice!  Grueling painting number 1170 in 1170 days.

Summertime Cafe

Summertime Cafe
Oil on panel, 8x6
buy here

Today finds me painting one of my favorite haunts in Fish Creek, Wisconsin - the "Summertime" Restaurant.  A great place to grab a quick meal on the terrace, it is full of ambiance and fragrant with blooms!  I have been wanting to work on these wonderful cafe scenes for some time now - so today is the day!  Going through my abundant photos, I picked out a few to turn into paintings.  It seems that most of my reference is from Door County!  I just love those charming little towns, each with their own cafes with umbrellas open and waiting! Nothing is as inviting as one of these spots after a day of painting! Painting number 777 in 777 days - now I'm off to buy a lottery ticket!