Tag Archives: Aquarium

Sketching A Whale Of A Sand Pile

Posted on by
Moleskine watercolor book, Pilot Falcon, Platinum Carbon Black

Moleskine watercolor book, Pilot Falcon, Platinum Carbon Black

Fernande and I went to the Quebec Aquarium last Monday.  On my way there I have to transfer from one bus to another, which meant a 10-minute wait.  I quickly sketched a video rental building in a small Moleskine watercolor book I carry.  Not much but it sure made that 10-minutes pass quickly.

Unlike our first visit to the aquarium, it was a beautiful day.  We spent the entire day in the outdoor areas rather than in the actual aquarium buildings.   I love urban ‘hardware’ and so did a couple smallish, sketches of some of the aquarium hardware.  There are examples of this sign everywhere on the grounds, providing directions to visitors.  Simple, easy-peasy to draw, and fun.

Moleskine watercolor book, Pilot Falcon, Platinum Carbon Black

Moleskine watercolor book, Pilot Falcon, Platinum Carbon Black

While wandering around I found this bizarro device.  It seems to have either a generator or transformer on the side of it.  It is about four-feet tall.  There are actually a bunch of these along a stone wall, giving the impression that they were once used as lights.  The technology, whatever it is, is very old and no longer used, I think.  Looks like something you’d see in a steampunk movie.  I had to draw it.

2014-08-11AquariumLamp

Moleskine watercolor book, Pilot Falcon, Platinum Carbon Black

It was already getting hot when I started this sketch and there was no shade from which to draw this large pile of sand.  Towards the end I was sweating like crazy and ready to be done.  As soon as the ink was done I headed for shade to do the color.  Hope you like it.

Stillman & Birn Alpha (10x7), Pilot Falcon, Platinum Carbon Black

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

Sketching Quebec’s Aquarium

Posted on by

I was supposed to meet sketching buddy Fernande at the Nouvelle-France festival but she wrote to say that it was supposed to rain and that maybe it would be better to go to the aquarium.  I said ok, that I’d meet her there but that I bet it wouldn’t rain.

It rained.  I was wrong – again.  At least I’m consistent.  When I arrived it was raining and Fernande had not yet arrived.  I went to the main aquarium building sat in the corner of the foyer and sketched an outdoor scene through the window.  One of the really great things about our aquarium is that there is a lot to sketch outdoors when weather permits and an equal amount of stuff to sketch indoors if it rains, even if you don’t think it will.

Stillman & Birn Beta (6x8), Pilot Falcon, Platinum Carbon Black

Stillman & Birn Beta (6×8), Pilot Falcon, Platinum Carbon Black

Once Fernande arrived we started wandering indoors, looking for sketching opportunities.  Unfortunately, we chose the same day to visit as a convoy of school buses full of kids.  The place was packed, prohibiting us from being able to sketch without being trampled.  After a while we decided that eating lunch was the solution.  And so we did.

Moleskine watercolor notebook (3x5), Pilot Falcon, Platinum Carbon Black

Moleskine watercolor notebook (3×5), Pilot Falcon, Platinum Carbon Black

In this case the virtue of patience was rewarded.  The school buses packed up, the crowds thinned out, and we found something to sketch.

By this time, though, I was getting tired so I chose a small subject – a seahorse.

We’re heading back Monday for another session.