Apple Tasting Festival with a few of the Urban Sketchers

I'm taking the online Sketchbook "Skool" Storytelling class and this week's homework from Melanie Reim was to sketch people in action. Well, there were plenty of people and there was plenty of action at the Apple Tasting Festival at Portland Nursery.  Tucked in among the plants, with the smell of popcorn, pizza, and apple strudel wafting by, I tried to capture some of that action as people chose their apples. Some filled many bags and even some wagons! (I was eager to draw as much as I could, so I added the color at home.)

The post-its are another idea from Melanie Reim. She does warm-up portraits on little post-its. I find that they're also handy for covering up mistakes.

When apples were really popular, the customers had to dive deep to get their picks.

The line for the tasting went on and on, but it was still too quick for me.

It was a lovely day to be out sketching with our little group. I also came home with some tasty new varieties of apples and an increased appreciation for those who can sketch quickly.

Apple Tasting

The local urban sketchers group went to the 25th anniversary apple tasting celebration at Portland Nursery to do some sketching. There was a lot going on. I found that after doing so many long-term drawings this week, it was difficult to get into quick sketching. I started by doing a warm-up sketch of a cow sign, used by some families as a prop for an autumn photo. Feeding the kids popcorn helped them cooperate with the photo shoots.

This is another sketcher who was sketching people selecting apples to buy.

Crowds lined up to go into the tent to taste a variety of apples.

I liked the roof top garden...

The band, Petty Cash played for kids and adults.  I appreciated the chance to sit on a hay bale to sketch.

And here's the sound guy, who has a sense of humor.

There was much more to sketch, but the rain clouds moved in and released a downpour, so it was time to go.