Toned gray catch-up (or mustard, whatever you prefer)

I've been dragging around my toned sketchbook to different events like:
-the Food Truck Rodeo
-our principal's rock anthem year end assembly

[PILOT Coleto 5-ink pen, a gigantic PITT white marker in a gray toned Strathmore sketchbook]

Ribbbit

Just a lunch time sketch of a frog from a nature book I had laying around for the students. 

[Uni Pin pens, D+S watercolors in a S+B Zeta sketchbook]

New Toy

Recently I obtained a "Pilot Hi-Tec Coleto" which can hold 5 different ink refills. Thanks to Jetpens.com I got a few other goodies because I just had to have free shipping. 

[PILOT Coleto 5-ink pen, a gigantic PITT white marker in a gray toned Strathmore sketchbook]

New outlook

After seeing the "pro-artists" come through town and seeing their point of view on very boring subjects, I have a whole new appreciation for the subjects in my town. I learned a lot just by peering over their shoulders! Like this one, or here. 

[pentel pencil, namiki falcon with DeArtementis Document ink, D+S watercolors in a S+B Zeta sketchbook]

Community Paint out!

I had a unique experience when the Finger Lakes Plein Air competition came right through my front door step! There were 44 juried in artists painting in and around Canandaigua. This past Saturday you could go anywhere downtown and find an artist painting! It was artist heaven. That same afternoon they had a "Community Paint Out" where us amateur artists could come out and within a 2 hour window, create a piece of artwork and have it judged! 

I had 4 different locations all scouted out and when it came time to paint--all 4 of my places were either taken, not there anymore (I guess the hot dog cart guy retired!), or in shadow! So I reverted to the rooftops behind my apartment building. I was a little rushed and my final piece was not anywhere near what I had imagined. But the experience was fun and I didn't get sunburnt--so that was a bonus. 

I plan on re-doing the scene on a piece of scrap wood that is about 3 feet long and 8 inches high. I think that format would capture the scene a little better! 

Stay Tuned.

[pentel pencil, namiki falcon with DeArtementis Document ink, D+S watercolors, and Inktense watercolor pencils on S+B Delta loose paper]

Garbage pile

With the Finger Lakes Plein Air competition in town, I volunteered to help out with art intake, serving at the gala and setup. After one night of helping out I noticed this awesome pile of junk behind the carriage house at Sonnenburg Gardens. We got done earlier than planned so I scampered back there and got sketching! I was intrigued by the white chair so I thought the gray paper would be a good choice. I camped out and captured this neat behind the scene view.

A few nights later I was back at the same location and a rainstorm slowed down the intake of artwork--so I had some time to kill! I attempted to sketch the pile again, but rain drops and an awkward pose stopped me early. I finished up the other layers of paint at home.  

bejeweled-farm-blitz-gram-book

My lovely girlfriend was getting some alone time in while playing "bejeweled-farm-blitz-gram-book" on her phone. She had this cool pose going that was a combination of comfortable & intense. I thought it would be a good idea to try and sketch her! I've always avoided sketching "pretty women" because they come out all "not pretty". But since her knee was in the way--no fear! 

[pentel Graph Gear 1000 pencil w/HB lead, in a S+B Zeta sketchbook]