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!!