Deluxe Junk/Fremont - unfinished

Unbelievably good weather and way too many subjects to draw - a sketcher's dream. I plan to make another trip here to put down color. Pigma pens and a 14x11" Canson watercolor field book.

Always enjoy the gatherings, looking forward to seeing everyone next month.

Hungover Stuffed Animals

These two guys were sagging at a table in the Covington Library, their slouching posture suggested a late night of over indulgence. Reminiscent of some of our "Hockey Trips to Canada" to see the Canucks play.

Naturally, after I started drawing them a child came over and rearranged the entire scene - "Hey Kid, quit playing with the toys...."

I've gone back to using my fountain pen (with my newly learned technique for controlling line weight). It works better on watercolor paper than the Pigma Pens, the down side is the water-soluble ink, meaning no color wash. Always learning.

Aphrodite's Torso - SAM

After getting wet trying to sketch downtown I bussed over to SAM and did this sketch of Aphrodite's Torso. It was the Urban Sketchers assignment this week - Museums.

Time has been tough on Aphrodite, she's chipped, cracked and missing all limbs but still in better shape than I am and I haven't been around since the 2nd century B.C. (although it feels like it).

Chinese New Year - Seattle

Some of the hardiest Seattle Urban Sketchers and Seattle Plein Air group braved the weather to get together (briefly) on the 13th to sketch/paint in the International District. We met at covered tables outside Starbucks (just west of Uwajimaya, where this is drawn from).

I got down there early and started a larger sketch (from the children's park) on watercolor paper, but it will take a few more visits to finish.

The weather was wet and sort of cold, not a great day for sketching. We all decided we wouldn't try and get back together in the afternoon but would post what we had done on the sketcher's site.

After giving up on the weather I headed to SAM for some indoor sketching.

Online Coffee Company

Provided transportation for a friend to the Group Health Hospital in Seattle, while waiting we made our way to an internet cafe called The Online Coffee Co.. Wi-fi was free with our purchase of a slice of quiche and coffees (both were very good and cheap). Like libraries, people don't move much and make good drawing subjects. Just have to find the ones with character....or in this guy's case reading concerning news.....

Market Theatre - Post Alley

Sketching in Seattle started with Dim Sum in the International District and making my way through downtown looking for something interesting to draw. I know Pike Place is a tourist destination and is often overdone but there are the out of the way nooks and crannies of the place that still have character, historical or otherwise. The small cobblestone road that descends behind the information booth underneath the market and leads to seldom known gems like IL Bistro, The Market Theater and the Alibi Room.

Rice Bowl Neon

Tamra and I took the bus into Seattle, getting off in the International District. The sketch on the left was done at 6th & Main of the now defunct Standard Cafe. A tour guide informed me that the neon rice bowl and sign were coming down soon (and that I might want to step back, there was a bus load of tourists about to walk around the corner). The sketch on the right was done after eating at Zaina, a middle eastern restaurant located at the north end of Pioneer Square. Great food and friendly staff.