TACO and the Pop-Up chorus group

I went to the Terrible Adult Chamber Orchestra (TACO) to sketch the musicians again today. I did use my brush pen to do some gestural drawing as my warm-up. Somehow I still kept messing up the proportion of various body parts while drawing individual musicians. I wonder if it was because I was trying too hard on capturing the resemblance. 

As it was the beginning of TACO's holiday season today, there was a pop-up chorus group singing along with the orchestra. Most of the singers were family or friends of a musician in the orchestra. 

Anyway, I finished 4 sketches that I was happy with. One of them was not listed here as the trombonist's wife bought the sketch. Instead of paying me, I asked the wife to donate to TACO. She did point out (complained) that her husband isn't as chubby as in my sketch. I don't think I made her husband fat but he really isn't skinny to my Taiwanese eyes! Note to myself: remember to shave of a few pounds when sketching at TACO next time.

Redwood Public Marina

It's a long weekend and would have been a perfect weekend to get away. James and I are however still sedated from the big meal on Thursday (what an excuse!). James spent yesterday playing in his man cave and I painting. We decided we should at least go outdoors today.

I like this public marina/fishing pier. There are always some activity going on but never get too busy nor crowded. While James was trying out his luck with his fishing rod, I sketched around the pier. After using up my Strathmore and Canson watercolor paper, I decided to come back to Fabriano cold press. Yes, more expensive but I just love how it responds to my paint and brush.

Thanksgiving- the real thing

Last year James and I had a very quiet Thanksgiving in Seattle. This year we were invited by our neighbour, Karen, to join her and her family and friends. It was fun for us to experience an authentic Thanksgiving. It started with a card game, followed by delicious food (yes, there was turkey- smoked and roast!) and ended with charades- James and I had never played it before.

Following Karen's family tradition, we each shared what we are thankful for at the table. I was thankful for James supporting me to follow my interest in urban sketching, which helped me connect with people.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Local soccer game

There is a soccer field very close to my house. Every weekend I can see people playing soccer there but I was never brave enough to sketch the players. I didn't think I could catch the people in motion. 

After a few sessions of sketching the musicians, today I thought I'd give it a try. Although today the players were mature players, they still ran and moved pretty fast. I tried to remember what I learnt from Marc Holmes and Suhita Shirodkar on Craftsy.com and applied the techniques. It was not an easy task but boy, I had a great time sitting on the bench!

Happy Birthday to USK- Rock climbing style!

I was determined to sketch on this special day (although I did learn from Gabi's talk and Tina's email that the real USK birthday is on Nov 4th). I carried my sketch kit as well as my climbing gear with me. Luckily this climbing spot wasn't too far away from the parking lot. 

Thank you, Gabi, and Urban Sketchers! And a special thank-you to USK Seattle, too. My life in the US would have been totally boring and isolated without urban sketchers. 

Musicians in the neighbourhood- 4

Another sketch session at my neighbour's place. Usually the music drifts in and out when I concentrate on drawing. I mean, I hear the music but I don't always hear the music, if that makes sense. Today the trio practice didn't go very smooth. There was more stopping and starting-over. At one point I could feel the frustration in the air. Interestingly, my pen couldn't move smoothly on paper either when the music wasn't flowing. I had a few sketches discarded halfway as well, which doesn't happen often. I guess my brain does listen to the music even I don't always hear it.

James playing guitar

All the sketching with local community musicians motivated me to revisit my craftsy classes- Marc Holmes' People in Motion and Suhita Shirodkar's Figure Sketching Made Simple. It's surprising that how many details I have forgotten even though I have watched the class videos 3 times. For example, I forgot that I could use ink and water to create different shades of grey. How could I forget such a simple thing? I am gonna try using this medium next time when I go sketch the musicians in my neighbourhood.

Musicians in the neighbourhood- 3

I know there are urban sketchers who sketch the same subject over and over again. Like Tina draws her maple tree and Shari Blaukopf sketches her wheel barrow in the backyard. I didn't think drawing musicians would be a thing for me but, hey, it seems that I'm collecting sketches of senior musicians in my neighbourhood.

I am definitely not complaining. After all, these musicians are great models- they don't charge me and they provide beautiful classical music. Unlike studio models, my models have no set time for a pose. They could stay in a pose for a while or just a few seconds, depending on if they are playing along or making mistakes. I have been focusing on capturing their gestures and hands, now also on light/shadow on their face and body. I did remember to shave off a few pounds on the ladies. They may ban me from sketching them otherwise! :)