USK Seattle Ad Hoc outing: Occidental Park

This is my last time attending the USK Seattle sketch outing - at least for a while. Although it was still cold but the rain stopped and there was a patch of blue sky. We even got a bit of sunshine every now and then. What else could a Seattle sketcher ask for?!

When I was here by myself a few weeks ago, I did an indoor sketch at the Grand Central Bakery (and enjoyed a delicious sandwich recommended by Dave, a fellow sketcher). Today I decided to sketch the exterior of the old building. Instead of aiming for the whole building, I picked a small arched doorway surrounded by vines and leaves for the page that I coloured with DS Quinacridone Gold and Burnt Sienna the night before.

One of the best things about sketching is you have the liberty to change what you see. Unlike photographs, I get to decided what I want to put on the paper even though the sketching process is still done though direct observation. If I were to take a photo of this arched doorway, I would have had to include the three big rubbish bins standing next to it!

Then the sun came out and created nice shadows with the trees and lampposts. I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to practice perspective and applying shadows. I did the second sketch of the day on a page that I coloured with DS Ultramarine Blue and Van Gogh Quinacridone Rose.

Although I did feel sad, it was great to see many familiar faces at the sketch outing. What a wonderful year sketching with USK Seattle and meeting all the lovely fellow sketchers! Bring it on, 2017! I look forward to more sketching!!

Down the memory lane: West Seattle

I attended a couple of sketch outings held in West Seattle. I think all my sketches done in West Seattle turned out great. Not because I am good. This suburb just has a lot to offer. It has the beach, the woods, the view of Seattle and busy streets. You can find everything for urban sketching.

Down the memory lane: August 20, 2016- West Coast Sketch Crawl

This was my very first time attending a sketch crawl. To be honest, I was a bit overwhelmed. The sketch outings I go to are usually 2.5 hours long. Some times I might do one more sketch on my way home if I see something interesting. But this sketch crawl was all day long. I got all day to sketch! It should be a wonderful thing but that day I somehow couldn't keep going after I finished the second sketch.


It's still a good experience. Now I know what to look for when sketching in a strange town/city. I look forward to next sketch crawl.

Down the memory lane: June 24, 2016- Craftsman houses

For some reason I thought I sketched these houses in Queen Anne but it looks like I actually sketched them in Beacon Hill.

I like Craftsman houses. They are usually colourful and full of character. A local guy came chatting with me and told me that he actually painted the lime green house (he is a professional painter). One of the neighbours hated the colour and came out yelling at him. He was really happy to see me sketch the lime green house. I told him no colour could be wrong on a Craftsman house and that he couldn't agree more.

Down the memory lane: It all started from here...

My very first outing with USK Seattle (Fremont)

Well, actually, it started 2 years before this photo was taken. 

James and I were travelling in Spain. One afternoon we arrived on a hill in Granada, where you can see the magnificent Alhambra. The view point gathered more than 100 tourists, snapping away with their phones or fancy cameras. It was hard to find a spot where you could take a photo without dozens of heads in the frame.

Then James saw this father with 2 boys. They were quietly drawing with crayons, capturing their impression of the Alhambra. I was inspired there and then, and started sketching. Soon I found Urban Sketchers. I followed the blog for 18 months but never participated in the local sketch outings (Melbourne, Australia). Until I moved to Seattle with James.

Second sketch done that day

I met Tina that day and later on Kate and many others. Attending the USK Seattle sketch outings became something I looked forward to. It was always fun to sketch with USK Seattle sketchers and it was even more fun listening to their stories while we had lunch together after a sketch outing.I felt connected in this new city and was introduced to various spots in the Emerald City. I love being an Urban Sketcher and I'm blessed to start my journey of sketching with USK Seattle!

First sketch done that day:
Statue of Lenin