The grounds of the Quebec Aquarium are great for a sketcher.  Whoever designed them had esthetics in mind as well as the ability to accommodate families with kids running all over the place.  And so it’s a fun place to do small landscape sketches.  With winter looming in front of us, I’ve spent most of my aquarium time doing those kinds of sketches.

Monologue sketchbook (4×5), Pilot Falcon, Platinum Carbon ink

Claudette and I were at the aquarium this week (last week?).  While waiting for it to open I quickly sketched a grouping of large rocks that sit near the entrance.  I’m still trying to get a handle on drawing rocks.

Monologue sketchbook (4×5), Hero 578, Platinum Carbon Black

Later I made this little sketch out the window of the cafeteria.  I was drawing trees but more, I was playing with my Hero 578 “fude” pen.  I still haven’t tapped the expressiveness of this pen and should use it a lot more.

But I spent most of my time drawing this scene.  It took me the best part of two hours to complete it.  This included a chat with the security guard, another with a grounds-keeper and a couple visitors stopped to comment.  The weather was ideal, as were the social interactions.

Stillman & Birn Alpha (10×7), Pilot Falcon, Platinum Carbon Black