Spiral Drawing

I've been taking a Sketchbook Skool class and last week's instructor was Miguel Herranz. One of his suggestions was to start a drawing in the center and then spiral out from that instead of doing a layout first. One advantage to this kind of sketching is that you can stop at almost any time and you have a fairly complete looking sketch. Somehow, I haven't found it very easy to stop, though.

I started the Jamison Square sketch yesterday and went back to finish it today. I had drawn the birch trees with white gel pen and they looked like ghost trees. Today, Deb informed me that they are infected with Birch Boar and are indeed dying. That's too bad. I've been drawing these trees over several years and it will be sad to see them go.

This next sketch was drawn from inside at the always welcoming Ovation Coffee Shop, bordering the Fields. A few of us sketched inside, waiting for the drizzle to end. Again, Deb helped me out by giving me an Urban Sketcher sticker to cover up the partially drawn dog that I didn't have time to finish before it walked away.

Flowers

Urban Sketching

There's a relatively new food cart pod in SE Portland: Tidbit. Besides having good food and seating, there are some very charming carts, nice plants, and friendly vendors.

Here's a sketch of Dog Bone Coffee and John, the vendor. Unfortunately, the dog, Talon was out of my view.

Here's a corner of the eating area.

This is a sketch from the park blocks in front of the Portland Art Museum and another from Directors Square.  Lots of people were out enjoying the sunny day, but unfortunately, none stayed for long on the bench I was drawing.

Lerftovers

Here are some sketches that didn't make it onto the blog last month.

Urban Sketching

We've had some nice weather days lately, making it really pleasant to get out for a sketch.

Some sketching friends and I nabbed a picnic table with a view of Pittock Mansion one direction

and a view of Portland and Mt. Hood from the other direction.

It was a gorgeous day and lots of people were enjoying the view. We got in some sunshine, some sketching and I had my first picnic of the year. 

The leaves are starting to come out on the trees. The Fields is a new park and the plantings are still immature, but someday those trees will provide shade around the wide open space. When I sketched this, I was glad for the sunshine.

I drive by this apartment building several times a week because it's by my gym, and the other day, there was finally a parking space directly across from it. It's always odd for me to see palm trees in Portland, but there are several around town that have managed to survive for years.

Spring!

The last of the Cherry Blossoms at the Waterfront

Cherry Blossoms

We've had some early spring weather in Portland and the cherry blossoms are out along the waterfront.