A Street Sketcher Selfie

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Larry Marshall

Digital cameras brought about the phenomenon of the selfie. I think it’s relevant that it required ‘free film’ and social media for this narcissistic portrayal of oneself to become so popular but that’s probably the grumpy old man in my talking.

When I was enrolled in the Sketchbook Skool’s “Seeing” semester I did at least one example of each homework assignment except one…the selfie. I didn’t know how to do it. I’m a street sketcher, not a studio artist. The only time I draw at home is when I’m watching TV and that’s mostly doodling, with no specific goals in mind.

I thought about finding a reflective store window and doing one but felt that public selfie drawing was beyond anything I could endure. So, I just passed on the assignment…until a couple days ago. I was on a long walk, enjoying one of the last sunny, warm days we’re likely to have this year and I looked down. The sun was creating a negative of my image – most would call it a shadow.

So I got this bright idea to take a photo of it and then draw from my cell phone screen. Great idea in principle, not so great in execution as the sun made the screen image barely visible. I started this way but, ultimately, I “posed” myself a couple times, trying to capture pieces of ‘me’ from memory of those poses. The result is definitely a ‘close enough’ image and in the end I was happy with it. You can see my art bag (right side) and I even added my hand (sort of) holding my phone up to take the photo. I mean, what’s a selfie without a cell phone? Better, I think 🙂

Moleskine watercolor sketchbook (3×5), Pilot Falcon, PCB ink

Picnic Sketching At Berthier, Quebec

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Larry Marshall

Last weekend, at the end of September, we had a couple of gorgeous, July-like days. Temps were near 80F, the sun was shining and just a hint of breeze. Ever since I spent the day with a group of sketchers at the marina/park at Berthier, Quebec, I’ve wanted to take my wife there for a picnic. She enjoys sitting by the St. Lawrence and Berthier is the ideal place.

When we arrived we did the tour of the place and then sat down on a bench at the beginning of the quay and both of us got out our sketchbooks. Yep…that’s right. My wife has decided to do some location sketching. Larry was thrilled!!!!

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

We breathed the fresh air, enjoyed the sunshine, and we sketched. It was so much fun. Then it was time for lunch. We talked about sketching as we ate. Have I mentioned that Larry was thrilled? What a day… what a day.

Short Cruise Sketching

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Larry Marshall

After a week of frightfully cold weather, things warmed up in Quebec City. In fact, we’re experiencing weather that’s more like it should have been in mid-August, when we were all wondering when summer was going to start.

Given the date, and given that the trees measure day length very well and are starting to look like autumn, I’m taking advantage of every one of these warm, sunny days. Late last week I went for a really long walk and mid-walk I climbed onto the ferry that crosses the St. Lawrence between Quebec City and Levis just to get out on the water.

I headed for the top deck so I could sit outside, catch some rays and experience the high seas, or at least my version of it. Below me was this scene and, of course, I had to sketch it. It was the only sketch I did that day but it was a glorious day.

Monologue 4×6, Pilot Falcon, Noodler’s Lexington Gray ink

The Value Of Sitting

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Larry Marshall

I’m a street sketcher. I wander my city looking for things to sketch. I’m not too picky and actually shun the things tourists photograph. I guess I’m more of a “mundane sketcher” as I like the challenge of creating something that looks good from something most wouldn’t even notice.

But there are times when I “can’t find anything to sketch.” I put that in quotes as it’s a common phrase among sketchers that really makes little sense, but the person saying it knows exactly what they mean. Yes, there are trees, planes, trains and automobiles to sketch but nothing is speaking to them.

When I find myself in that situation I sit down. Yep, it’s that simple. If I sit, pretty much anywhere, I start to see things I don’t see when I’m walking. I’ll sit and start looking around. Rather quickly, I’ll find something interesting to sketch. Remember, I’m not searching for Mona Lisa. I just want something that motivates me to get out my sketchbook and pen.

This sketch is the result of sitting down in a tiny park along the St. Charles River. I sat on a rock as it was dryer than the benches because it had been raining as I walked. Before I got to add color to this sketch, it started raining again so I had to add the color when I got home.

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

I was returning from a long walk and I sat on a bench in Parc Brebeuf, along my river (the St. Charles) and decided to sketch this small scene of a part of the river bank. Done quickly, I added color to this one when I got home as well.

Moleskine watercolor sketchbook, Pilot Falcon, Noodler’s Lexington Gray

So, the next time you’re out and looking for something to sketch, sit down. It may help.

Put On Your Sketching Gloves

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Larry Marshall

This is a sketching subject you won’t find Singapore urban sketchers talk about. And people living in the southern half of the US might wonder, “Is he serious?” But here in Quebec, we’re rapidly approaching a time when we get serious about coats and where the notion of sketching outdoors is, well, nuts.

But I like to postpone the inevitable as long as I can and one way is to protect my hands from cold and wind. Heavy coats keep the core warm and I’ve got a ridiculous-looking, but very warm fur-lined leather hat with ear flaps that I willingly don if it allows me to continue sketching outdoors.

But hands are a different matter. I have pairs of heavy gloves but these are useless for drawing as you lose both control and feel of a pen. I’ve tried fingerless gloves and they’re ok but I end up with frozen finger tips. I’ve tried surgical gloves too, and those just don’t do enough to keep out the cold.

One moderately functional solution are these gardening (I think) gloves. I bought them at our Dollar Store for $2. I know…I know…they need to change the name of those places. Anyways, these are tight-fitting nylon gloves. The palms have a rubberized surface with little bumps on them. I’m sure that’s a ‘feature’ if you’re trying to pick up flower pots but those bumps really get in the way if you’re trying to guide a fountain pen across paper.

BUT…if you put the right glove on your left hand (or the other way if you’re handicapped by being right-handed) the rubbery stuff is out of the way, it better protects the back of your hand from wind, and you have a nice, smooth surface through which to grip the pen. It’s not a perfect solution (if there is one, let me know) but these gloves allow me to sketch in colder temps than I could without them.