Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Garden in the Sun

What a beautiful day!  Sunny and warm.  I checked that Soos Creek Botanical Garden is now open for the year again.   It's not very far from my home and a beautiful place to sketch with several different garden environments.  It's just a bit north of Pierce County. 

I had intended to sketch a sculptural fence I'd seen there last time but it was gone.  So I sketched a small bridge and then a large bell.





On my way home, I stopped at my favorite view point for Mt. Rainier and did another sketch.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Reflections on ad hoc sketch outing at Eddon Boatyard



This past Thursday morning fellow sketchers Mike Maher, Ken Fulton and I made the trip from Vashon Island to Gig Harbor to attend an ad hoc sketch outing at the Eddon Boatyard. A little chill in the air but otherwise a lovely spring day allowing sketchers to take in outdoor sketch opportunities. A few clouds but otherwise morning sun casting strong shadows on boat houses and net sheds along the shore providing inspiring sketch challenges.

Having arrived early I walked the pier next to the Gig Harbor Boat Shop and saw immediately the waterfront scene I wanted to sketch. At 10:AM we gathered for introductions and soon after I took up position on the pier with my Moleskine Watercolor journal open, Micron 08 at the ready and the subject of my pleasure taking shape on the page. Derwent watercolor pencils for initial color followed by Daniel Smith watercolors to enhance the look and feel of the overall sketch.

With a few minutes left I sketched the net shed to the east of the boatyard. Same process only much faster as it was nearly 12:30 PM and time for our group sketch showing.



What a great sketch outing and on a perfect spring day at a inspiring location surrounded by a wonderful group of like-minded fellow sketchers. Three cheers for Gig Harbor! Darsie Beck

Monday, March 21, 2016

Third Wednesday Sketch Outing: April 20 Hotel Murano

Hotel Murano
1320 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402


Meet at 10 am in the hotel lobby.  

Parking: On site pay lot that will likely cost $15.  There is some street parking.  Alternatively, park at your best location and take the free Link (light rail) to the Convention Center station.  Walk further on Commerce St., left on S 13th St, left on Broadway to the hotel.  


The Hotel Murano is filled with art and artifacts.   The central location affords sketching opportunities outside as well as indoors.In keeping with Urban Sketchers Tacoma's plan of creating images of down town Tacoma for our up-coming Library exhibit the Murano's central location serves us to a tea.


The Bite restaurant is a nice place to enjoy lunch after our 12:30 sketch sharing and photo opp gathering. It is on the second floor of the hotel.

The hotel welcomes urban sketchers Tacoma and is expecting us on the above date
.

Thursday Ad Hoc Outing: April 28 Chapel on the Bay, Fox Island

Chapel on the Bay, Fox Island
400 6th Ave Fi, Fox Island, WA 98333

Sketch inside the beautiful 115 yr old Chapel on Echo Bay. 

Meet at 10 a.m. In the Chapel parking lot.   We sketch 10-12:30 then meet up to share our sketches and take a group photo.   




Directions:  take Wollochet exit east. 8 mi, continue on 40 th st. NW 2.7 mi.,turn left on 70th ave NW .7 mi, turn right on Warren Dr. .5 mi,continue over bridge to Fox island 3.1 mi, turn left on Fox Dr 400 ft, turn left on 6th ave to end at Chapel parking lot.





Those that want to can gather at the Fox Island deli and Zogs afterwards for lunch.

Fox Island Deli 
587 6th Ave Fi, Fox Island, WA 98333

Zogs 
same address as Fox Island Deli

Second Thursday outing: APRIL 14 at Fox Island Museum

Fox Island Museum
1017 9th Avenue, Fox Island, WA,


Admission is $1 (suggested). 

Meet at 10 am at the entrance to the Museum.  We'll sketch until 12:30 and then share our work.  











Lunch: Taste of Peru 
5500 Olympic Dr NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335


 

First Saturday Sketch Outing, 2 April, Watson's Nursery


Watson’s Green House & Nursery

The regular First Saturday Sketch Outing will be April 2, 2016 from 10am to 12:30 pm.

Watson’s Green House & Nursery
6211 Pioneer Way East, Puyallup, WA 98371

 
We will meet at 10 am in the covered area outside the front doors to the store.




This is an indoors-outdoors sketch-out, depending on the weather. 

We have reservations for lunch or refreshments 
at 1:00 pm  at Anton’s CafĂ©, inside Watson’s.   Unfortunately, their menu seems only viewable on Facebook.  Many lunch selections are less than $10.

Directions:  From I-5 take the River Rd. exit towards Puyallup. (stay in the right lane)  At the first light on River Rd., just after the Puyallup Tribal Cemetery, turn right Right onto Pioneer Way E.  Stay on Pioneer all the way to Watson’s. Watson’s will be on your left, shortly after you pass Stewart Ave. E.







All who would enjoy sketching with us are always welcome to join our free sketch outings.Simply arrive to join us at 10 am for our ‘meet & greet’ and any announcements you may need to hear.  Bring art supplies you would enjoy using, and bring a folding chair if you like to sit while you sketch .  (Please do not block shoppers. ) The is ample on site parking.

For early birds: Watson’s opens at 9 am.

Friday, March 18, 2016

The Swiss in Tacoma

To create this sketch of the indian statue at the Swiss in Tacoma I referred back to my early use of the graphite pencil for drawing. I used Kimberly pencils, 2B, 4B and 6B. The H's drive me crazy but I do use and HB for preliminary sketching before getting into the real stuff with those B's. I also draw a lot with my eraser by laying down a value and then doing a reduction with the eraser to create textures. I added the ATM machine to show a relative size comparison to the subject matter.
Rom LaVerdiere

Thursday, March 17, 2016

The Old Post Office and the New Court House Square

Our sketch outing on March 16th was at the new Court House Square...which many of us still call the 'Old Post Office'. I recommend you visit. You'll discover a lot is happening inside the building. When I went through the front door, the first thing I noticed (after all the beautiful old marble and high ceilings) was a sign letting me know a new coffee shop would be opening there soon.

It's a beautiful old building on 'A' Street in downtown Tacoma...and there are lots of new plans for new uses unfolding within it.  The School of the Arts has been in the building for awhile now, and has the entire floor above the main floor for its classes. The real 'old post office' is still functioning on the main floor,  in what is likely a smaller location than in earlier days.  There are lots of high-ceiling small art studios for rent on the fourth floor. There are lovely rooms for events, and in general, the building is full of MANY signs of transition. As new purposes unfold, it struck me: I hope it is all open on Sundays when downtown parking is free.

I chose to bask in the transitions by sketching in a sawdust and 'just plain dust' covered room where a couple of carpenters were working. They gave me permission to sit in an out of the way corner to sketch...so I sat in the dust (wearing black pants, of course) on a lovely old leather-covered bench and enjoyed sketching the stacked furniture (some of it looked like pieces of old court room furniture) and the carpenters' equipment.

Upon leaving to go to our time for sharing sketches...I noticed I'd not only made marks on my two Fabriano sketchbooks (one, plain paper, 3.5" x 5.5" pocket size book and the other, a  9 x 12 Studio Watercolor book), but I had also left 'my mark' on the dusty leather bench by sitting on it.

I hope to see you on the sketching trail,

Frances







Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Old Post Office

Urban Sketchers Tacoma met to sketch at the Old Post Office.  We received a brief tour.



Helen in jail!  The building had housed the Court House... and the jail.



Bev sketches in the large hall.  The lights kept changing colors.

There were lots of good views out the windows and some nice 1910 architectural details inside.  But the view of a section of the building from across the street caught my eye.  I managed to stay warm enough in the 50 degree weather to get a sketch done.


Sharing sketches
The group
All the photos are here.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Micro/Micron studies

3/4 sheet micron and watercolor
@ Starbucks in Denton Tx
   Once in a while it's good to just "go for it" with confidence. For me that's fine as long as I can stay small. Instead of concerning myself with possibly wasting a full sheet of good paper,  I divide the lighter weight paper portions into 1/4 size segments and perhaps start with what may turn into a composition study in values. I find in my micro sketches that I am more likely to dive into pen and ink only or a moment later add color.
    When visiting a friend in Denton I stopped in to a coffee shop to avoid traffic for a quick sketch. In the pictures to the right there was a young man having coffee with a girl and he had his arm in the air. At first I though, 'His hand is alseep,' but the darned thing stayed there... and stayed there... and. So I began to wonder is he a 'concert pianist that has a show tonight and believes that this will reduce swelling?' After perhaps 3 minutes I thought, ' I gotta get this!' so I went with the smaller format and micro pen. Not only did he leave it up the entire drawing but he also had it up when I did the drawing (upper left)of the lady hiding behind the newspaper. All kinds of good people watching at that Starbucks!- Feather

Thursday, March 3, 2016

What is an Ad Hoc Sketch-Outing?

I arrived early for the Ad Hoc Sketch-out in Gig Harbor organized by Urban Sketcher and Peninsula Art League President, Charli Meacham. The first to arrive in the parking lot, I sketched the exterior of our destination for this outing: 7 Seas Brewing. This business opened early for our sketch-out, so we could begin at 10 am, our usual starting time! Very nice of them!!!  It was a great place to sketch...and the brews that some of us sampled were great too!
 I forgot to bring my white Faber-Castell Pitt Pen,, so I needed to add some touch-ups to both of my sketches when I got  home.  I love how black, grey and white markers (I used a Micron .01 pen also) work on toned paper...partly because you get one more value from the value of the paper. I think the warmth of the paper's tone also adds appealing contrast to the cool grey values.

There were 17 of us present at this Ad Hoc sketch outing....here, you can see a few of us at one end of a long table enjoying the nearby sketches.

Four of our sketchers had to leave before our group photo...but we're still a pretty large group as you can see? Why? Because this Ad Hoc Sketch-outing was due to 'popular demand!' 

After our very first regular sketch-outing hosted by Mary McInnis (with a great deal of research and support by Feather Hilger to help get this new Regular Monthly sketch-out 'up and running') ...we were all very happy to finally have one new sketch-outing  to especially serve folks living in the greater Gig-Harbor area!!!  During lunch....sketchers talked and plotted..and hoped...and finally checked with me and with Mary:  "Do you think we could meet both the second and the fourth Thursdays of the month?"

Charlie Meecham, second from left in the group photo, offered to organize an Ad Hoc sketch-outing on the 2nd Thursday, but let us all know, as new president of Peninsula Art League..she was too busy to take on the leadership of a regular outing!

As you can see, the Ad Hoc was wildly successful!  Now what? Well, Charli is willing to set one up for March, too.

I've been letting everyone know that any additional sketch-outing will need to remain an Ad Hoc Outing, until we have full support and figure out all the 'bells and whistles' for our Regular second  Thursday of the month outing. Until we do, it is the nature of an Ad Hoc Outing that anyone can propose one, post an invitation to come sketch.  Sometimes an individual may put out an invitation for an ad hoc outing (any day of the week, any time preferred) and a couple of other sketchers will arrive to join them. Sometimes, you wind up sketching alone as no one was free to join you. But, since you chose a place you wanted to sketch, all is good!

We hope the fourth Thursday becomes a regular outing, rather than an Ad Hoc. But, the Second Thursday of the month outing needs to become firmly established and 'routine'. Then, we will need someone (preferably who lives East of the bridge..in the Greater Gig Harbor area)  who would like to join the group of Co-administraors of USk-Tacoma.

For those interested in regular volunteer leadership in USk-Tacoma:

The Qualifications for a Regular Sketch-Outing Host *
Participate regularly in USk-Tacoma sketch-outings. 
Post 'urban sketches' to Urban Sketcher sites regularly. 
Do a regular article on the USk-Tacoma blog. 
Lead a regular sketch-outing year-round (with back-up)

* Not all Co-administrators are necessarily Sketch-Outing Hosts.  Any of our six current Co-administrators may host an outing occasionally as a back-up host, even though they may primarily carry out other roles for USk-Tacoma, such as computer tech, or art show organizer, videographer for events, etc.

*The current Co-Administrators of USk-Tacoma are: 
Frances Buckmaster, Darsie Beck, Mary McInnis, Kate Buike, Mark Ryan, and Rom LaVerdiere.

*Another leadership role in USk-Tacoma: Blog Correspondent

Qualifications: The first three in the Qualifications list above, plus willingness to regularly post articles of interest to sketchers.

*The current Blog Correspondents: Feather Hilger and Beverly Choltco-Devlin....and all of the Co-administrators.

*If you are interested in Co-administration or in becoming a Blog Correspondent, or becoming an occasional volunteer for a specific task,  be sure to let me or any of us who are Co-administrators know, and let's  start the discussion!

Best Regards,

Frances Buckmaster


Wednesday, March 2, 2016

A Quick Sketch Will Do


Last Thursday morning Chris and I packed up our travel trailer, caught the south end ferry off Vashon Island, crossed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and headed north on Highway 16 for Port Townsend. Reservations had been made at the Point Hudson Marina and RV park with check in time at 1PM. By 2:30 we had hooked up our utilities, enjoyed a light lunch and were ready to spend the afternoon exploring our favorite Northwest environment.

I knew most of the time on this trip would be about doing things together, which means little time for sketching and plenty of opportunity for relationship building - not a bad thing. So what does a person itching to sketch do in such circumstances and in a sketch-rich environment? Grab sketches where ever and whenever he can.

A request for a restroom stop before departing Point Hudson provided me the opportunity - about 5 minutes - to quick sketch Mount Baker, Admiralty Inlet and the no parking sign while I waited. I used my Micron #08 for the sketch, a red Micron #05 for the parking sign and the channel buoy. Derwent watercolor pencils added a little color and zoom-zoom we were on our way.

Friday morning I drove to Nordland on Marestone Island to meet with some Port Townsend sketchers for an outing at the old Nordland Grocery Store. We gathered around an old pot belly stove in the back of the store, drank coffee and discussed our sketching options. The weather was with us - no rain for the moment - so we opted to sketch outdoors until our fingers got cold enough to bring us all back inside to the warmth of the store.

The protected bay at Nordland is home to several commercial fishing boats and a host of small craft buoyed in and around the harbor. I sketched the harbor looking north using my #08 Micron, Derwent watercolor pencils and watercolor.

Darsie Beck Tacoma Urban Sketchers Blog Correspondent

March 24th Ad Hoc In Gig Harbor

Ad Hoc Sketch Outing at Eddon Boat Shed in Gig Harbor
Thursday, March 24th, 2016
Eddon Boat Shed Sketch Outing 
more photos and information here:  http://gigharborboatshop.org/
3805 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98332


  
Gig Harbor Boat Shop is located in the historic Eddon Boatyard on Gig Harbor’s working waterfront. This will be an indoor/outdoor sketch-out if the weather cooperates: dress accordingly.

There are great views from inside looking out to the Harbor, from the deck of the Hoppen House, and from the pier.

If we’re fortunate, we’ll be able to sketch boats as they are being built.

Take the Pioneer Way exit off Hwy. 16. At the bottom of the hill, turn left on Harborview Drive.





10 a.m.—Gathering & announcements  (Meet down the driveway at the waterside entrance.)

10:15a.m.-12:30p.m.—Sketch in preferred location;

12:30---Share sketches and join the group for a photo

Bring a bag lunch and we’ll eat outdoors together if it’s nice; if not we’ll come up with a new plan.