One of the neat things about sketching is that sometimes people come to town and you get to sketch with them, getting to know them at the same time. That was the case when Paula Raudenbush and her friend Risa came from Virginia as tourists.
I mentioned in my last blog post that I was waiting for someone when I drew the sketch I posted. It was Paula that I was waiting for and she and Risa arrived while I was working on a second sketch that day. Risa headed off to shop (code for letting us kids play), leaving Paula and I to sketch. I confess, however, that we got precious little sketching done as we ended up exchanging sketchbooks and discussing our different approaches to sketching.
It was a fantastic encounter. Paula is a watercolorist, but when it comes to sketching, she creates amazing artist’s journals. Her sketches are wrapped in words and each pops off the page as a small ink gem. I couldn’t stop flipping through the book. The only thing that out-competed them was Paula’s winning smile and engaging personality.
When Risa returned we went to lunch. I talked too much. They listened patiently. My only excuse is that they continued to ask questions, facilitating my incessant talking. With lunch behind us, we wandered around old Quebec City. It was a great afternoon, though I didn’t sketch another line.
I went back to the city the next day and finished up the sketch I’d started. It will serve as a momento of a great, great day.
Stillman & Birn Beta (10×7), Namiki Falcon, De Atramentis Document Black
Very, very nice; some special lines here. Nice handling of those tricky curved lines on the turret (if that is the right term). An opportunity for some mid-tones, I suspect, in those lower window panes. I love your work. Thanks for sharing.
All those things may or may not be true, Jeff, but one thing is well-proven. By the time I get to this point in a sketch, my brain thinks “done.” Drawing lines is what interests me, which is probably why my watercolor work is so poor. If it takes more than five minutes, I’ll probably not do it at all 🙂 — Larry
How fun to “host” a visiting sketcher! The sketching world suddenly seems much smaller.
Ha…hosting. It was more the other way around as they bought ME lunch 🙂 It was a lot of fun, though, and I wish it would happen more often. Sketchers are so much fun. When can I expect you and yours to show up? — Larry
Hey Larry! This is such a nice post and Risa and I had a great time too. We loved seeing your Quebec and seeing your sketches of it. Thanks again for being a delightful host. You’re welcome in Virginia anytime.