7 days in Paradise

Last week, my family took a much-needed vacation to the paradise of Hawaii...after Seattle's record-breaking rainfall this winter, we really really needed some sun!!

This sketch was the view from our Lanai at Waikoloa Village...the sun hit the building in the distance, and there was a peekaboo view of the water beyond.

And here are some of my supplies...most of this sketch is cobalt blue, ultramarine blue, a bit of permanent alizarin crimson, sap green, yellow ochre, and spots of new gamboge to get that bright green.  This is in my favorite Pentalic sketchbook, Winsor & Newton watercolors in their pocket sketchbox...oh and the water  in the distance is one of the turquoises...I'm not sure which one!

Beach sketches to follow!!

In the Quiet of Suzzallo, step-by-step

Yesterday, Seattle Urban Sketchers braved really wretched weather and one hour less sleep to meet at the University of Washington's Suzzallo Library--open only because this is finals week at UW.

I chose to head straight up to the 3rd floor reading room, as this space is probably the closest thing in Seattle to jolly old England...and I'm thinking ahead to the workshop I'll be teaching this summer at the Manchester symposium, called "Soaring Spaces"...encouraging everyone to LOOK UP!!

Here is a step-by-step of my process for constructing and completing this sketch--it's the same basic process that I show in my Seattle workshops, Craftsy class online, and that I show in the upcoming book, Understanding Perspective. The "shape of the space" is pretty simple, but wow, I had forgotten how complicated arches and vaults can be. 

But as I always say, perspective is easy when you know what to look for...and this is what you look for!!!

Step ONE, I hold up my pencil and usually measure the vertical line on the left, then use my pencil to also measure the width...all to get the correct proportions of the "Shape of the Space".  I transfer the shape to my paper, slightly off center to the right, small enough that I'll have room to show the space in the sketch.  I also place this shape very low on my paper, as I want to be able to draw a lot of the ceiling...this is "Soaring Spaces" after all!!!!. 
Then I locate my eye level and mark it in my sketch by drawing a horizontal line all the way across my paper...notice how LOW my eye level is relative to the shape of the space drawn.  And on the eye level line is the vanishing point, that tiny dot just to the right of center. That spot is directly in front of me as I face the back wall of the space, and it's the point where the many receding lines will all converge...

Step TWO--by drawing in the three elements of step one, I have everything I need to do this drawing accurately in perspective.  I can use the vanishing point to start drawing in the big lines, the major architectural elements of the space.  For this, I use a small plastic triangle, as it speeds things up to be able to snap accurate lines QUICKLY...

Step THREE-- you can see I'm putting more of the bones in...the verticals represent the columns, or each structural bay of the space.  I start to angle the lines closest to me to exaggerate the sense of height.

Step FOUR-- I start working on putting in the ceiling...big shapes get broken down into smaller shapes, then I break those shapes into even smaller shapes...that is how structure works!  I also start to put in the chandeliers, as they cover up a good bit of the ceiling. Each one relates to a structural bay in the ceiling, and the lamps on the left relate to the lamps on the right.

Step FIVE-- her is pretty much the complete line drawing.  I try to build up the focus with detail and linework at the back, allowing the lines closest to me to fade out.  I also added the book shelves, as that builds up the sense of activity at the pedestrian level and helps to ground the sketch.  Notice how FLAT the tables are because they are so close to my eye level. Notice how details are just suggested, I don't take the time to actually draw in every detail.

Step SIX--Color...I started by putting an underpainting layer of yellow on all the areas I want to be warm, usually the surfaces that advance spatially or are in the sunlight (what little there was!)  Then I layer in more colors...mostly grays, as nearly everything in this space was gray to beige...I also build up the color carefully at the end of the space, the focal point of the perspective and the sketch.


And here is a scan of the final image, complete with signature and reminder of where I was! Also a detail so you can actually see the linework.  I often lose a lot of the linework once I add color, which always makes me a little sad, as I LOVE the pencil work. 

And there it is, beginning to end.  Good practice for England this summer!! It took about 1 hour and 15 minutes, sketched and painted on location.  Paper is a Fluid watercolor block 8" x 16", Winsor & Newton watercolors, and my favorite Escoda Reserva size 10 travel brush.  Also my 1" angled synthetic brush.

If you found this explanation helpful, please leave a comment below... it would be great to get a sense for how many people actually look at this blog!  I will continue posting more sketches that show the process I use.  Thanks very much!

I need Your help to win...by March 13!!

BIG PUSH, as there is only one more day for this special promotion--it ends Sunday, March 13 !!! 

And you all can help me win the top prize for most new Craftsy participants!!!  I'm close to winning, and I need your help!

My online class, Perspective for Sketchers, teaches you the basics of how to draw those first few lines on your page, accurately, in only three simple steps!  No more fear, no more guessing or ignoring the perspective--it is easy when you know what to look for.  It's a great class that has helped over 2500 people around the globe learn to sketch!!


Click here to register and learn more:  "Perspective for Sketchers" by Sunday, March 13.

And as part of this special promotion, every new student to Craftsy will be registered for a drawing in which one lucky participant will get to donate $1000 to the Craft organization of their choice!  

Woo-hoo, go UrbanSketchers.org!!!??? 
Thank you!!!

13 Pretty Amazing Online Sketching Classes, thru March 13

This group of sketchers is on something of a mission to get people sketching!

So, in honor of National Craft Month, we Urban Sketchers correspondents who are also Craftsy instructors are banding together to share a unique opportunity...

When you register for any of our classes from NOW through SUNDAY, MARCH 13

using our links below, you will be entered into a drawing —

one Craftsy student will win the opportunity to donate $1000 to the craft charity of their choice...and we are of course hoping that might be UrbanSketchers.org!!

...AND when you use these links, you will you receive the maximum course discount 

reducing the costs to only $15-$20 per class, even for brand new classes!  

This special promotion is only being offered through the instructors’ links, and it benefits the students, instructors, and a good cause!!  We are all experienced teachers and between us, we offer 13 sketching classes.  This is a great opportunity to take the plunge and try something new...you can watch them any time, now or later.

More information, reviews, and a preview of each class is available on the click "here for a 50% discount" below!

Stephanie

Perspective for Sketchers 
with Stephanie Bower

Learn three simple steps to quickly sketch architectural scenes with accurate perspective, lifelike proportions, and beautiful watercolor.

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Dynamic Detail in Pen, Ink & Watercolor with Steven Reddy

Draw any scene that catches your eye in ink and watercolor! Depict the world around you in fascinating detail 

using a relaxed, methodical approach.

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Essential Techniques for Sketching the Energy of Places with James Richards 

Sketch lively urban spaces pulsing with movement.  Get step-by-step guidance for drawing bustling streets, 

impressive buildings and more.

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Expressive Picture Book Characters with Lynne Chapman 

Use easy, effective techniques to draw believable human and animal characters 

with page-turning personality.

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Figure Sketching Made Simple 
with Suhita Shirodkar

Make figure sketching fun and fulfilling   Use loose, gestural techniques to quickly draw figures that are brimming with life.

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Pen & Ink Essentials with Paul Heaston 

Become a better pen and ink artist!  Learn techniques for capturing values, textures and contours you see in the world around you.

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Sketchbooks: Drawing the Everyday 
with Paul Heaston

Develop your drawing skills as you learn to capture the world around you in expressive compositions!

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Sketching Essentials in Graphite 
with Matt Brehm

Whether you’re walking through a neighborhood or wandering in nature, build foundational skills for sketching what you see more quickly and easily.

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Sketching Landscapes in Pen, Ink & Watercolor with Shari Blaukopf 

Sketch breathtaking landscapes with confidence using fundamental pen, ink & watercolor techniques.

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Sketching People in Motion 
with Marc Taro Holmes

Learn fun, simple techniques for sketching people in motion. Capture the action and magic of the moment.

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Sketching the City in Pen, Ink & Watercolor with Shari Blaukopf

Simplify any cityscape to capture the character of your favorite urban scenes. Learn how to sketch building facades, textures, windows, and much more.

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Sketching Your Point of View—NEW— with Paul Heaston

Capture ordinary scenes in extraordinary sketches. Learn how to simplify busy spaces, sketch perspective intuitively, depict wide-angle views and more.

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Travel Sketching in Mixed Media 
with Marc Taro Holmes

Capture the energy and excitement of travel in spontaneous sketches. Learn fast, fun and flexible techniques for sketching on location in mixed media.

Click here for a 50% discount and more information about this class.

Thanks for your interest in our Craftsy classes!  Happy sketching!

"Soaring Spaces", Looking UP in Manchester!!!!

I am so very honored that my workshop was selected for the Urban Sketchers Symposium, this year in Manchester!! Thank you, USk!!

This workshop is called "SOARING SPACES"...and encourages you to LOOK UP!!!!

Looking UP at Seattle's St. James Cathedral

So often the most amazing things to sketch are above your head! Towers, domes, and England’s famous vaulted ceilings all draw your eyes UP to their beautiful shapes and architectural detail. I love to sit inside an amazing church or in front of an inspiring building and capture a true sense of the vast space. But how do you capture something so tall and wide in a small sketchbook?

Looking UP in Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral.
This image graces the cover of Simone Ridyard's
wonderful book, Achisketcher.

This workshop will take you to one of the UK’s most important buildings, located in the heart of the city -- Manchester’s glorious Town Hall. Gothic Revival in style, from its façade and clock tower on Albert Square to its soaring vaulted interior spaces like the Great Hall, you’ll learn how to look up and capture this amazing architecture in wide-angle, 3-pt perspective. It’s really not hard once you know what to look for!

More info on the workshop is here.  I hope to see you in Manchester,
registration starts on March 5!!