That's it for the Cherry Trees This Year

This is my final cherry tree sketch for 2017, done in an accordion book. I sketched this while there was lots of action in the park: people practicing Qigong. dog walkers, bicyclers, families with toddlers and strollers, lots of people taking pictures, a drunken man sleeping behind me, and even a drone over the Steel Bridge. It took me several days to finish painting it. It seemed like too much time was spent waiting for paint to dry!

This one I tweaked by adding some shadows. The people seemed to be floating more in the previous version.

Those Elusive Cherry Trees

Every year, I sketch Portland's cherry trees and I always try to somehow capture the color, or the delicacy or a tiny bit of the beauty of the trees. I keep trying and trying!

This year, I was so eager, that I was down at Tom McCall Waterfront Park before the blossoms opened. I wasn't alone, as several people came out to enjoy a rare sunny day under the cherry tree branches.

As Portlanders know, we've had many rainy days this year.  On those days that it didn't rain, I dashed to waterfront park. Often, the gray clouds loomed overhead, but I was lucky to have avoided most of the showers.

With the start of spring break, the park was full of people taking photos, posing for photos, shaking branches and just enjoying the beauty and delight of a (mostly) rain-free day.

Finally, I decided to focus on a close-up of a tree with its graceful branches and delicate flowers. 

I'm hoping to get in at least one more day under the cherry trees, but if not, I notice that the magnolias and plum trees are looking inviting.