Sketch Crawl 17- San Francisco

Transamerica and Coppola buildings P1201904
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

We met at Portsmouth Park in Chinatown but by the end of the day I had worked my way to a sidewalk cafe bordering Little Italy with a view of the Transamerica and Coppola buildings. this was my last and most ambitious piece of the day -- the only one that I broke out the watercolors for. I love these two buildings, both with their distinctive wedge shapes. They were perfect for the soft and hard treatment of pen and watercolor. it was a gorgeous and fun day. Dont miss the next sketchcrawl! you can do it from where ever you are - http://www.sketchcrawl.com

on her side

Our weekly figure drawing group has dissolved. It's a victim to rising rents in the area. The artist who hosted it had to move and now I am in search of a new group that is easy to get to by public transit. Life and its changes, like the wash on the paper you never know what it is going to do. You adapt and hope that it turns out to be something beautiful and good.

Washington Street - - Oakland

Washington Street CR12
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

Another scene, near a Oakland different farmer's market. I love scenes of people in their communities. The canopies and tents of the farmers market can be seen in the background. This is not a tourist area so most of the people are regulars, some eating alone, and some visiting with friends. I will do a color study of this and post it later (in preparation for a painting)

Lake Merritt arbor

Lake Merritt arbor with women
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

I don't often sketch landscapes when I am out, but since it has been winter without much chance to paint in "plein air", I have decided to do a few short landscape studies. This scene is in Oakland, not far from my house. I did it in my Fabriano journal with ink wash and pastel white highlights.