Germs

Part of the bonus structure of being an educator is the immune system build up. But when that breaks down, we get sick--fast. I had the flu and then bronchitis in the month of march (thus the delay in posts). While sitting in the waiting room of urgent care (mask and all) I sketched some other sick folks. Joseph was a cool looking old guy. He was the type of guy that had stories. Stories from a war, or business, or some cool science thing he did 40 years ago. The other girl had a very neat Pokemon hat on--complete with Pikachu ears. 


[Uni ball vision pens in a Stillman & Birn Gamma sketchbook-landscape]

ROC to ORD (CHI)

At the end of March I got to participate in my first ever National Art Teacher Conference. It was a very overwhelming experience. There were art teachers everywhere, 2,000 sessions to pick from, and the city of Chicago to explore. I sketched as much as I could, but recovering from bronchitis I rested as much as I could. 

At one point we attacked Blick Art Supply and a few art teacher friends bought some sketching supplies so when we went out we could all sketch! It was a nice way to infect people with the sketching bug. 

captive audience on the plane

2 minutes waiting to board in ORD

one man dinner party

sketching the other art teachers! 

a cool pile of shiny service wear 

more art teachers

the place that invented "dive bar"

more captive plane models

and more captive travelers. 

brrrrrrrrr plein air painting

We have had some unusually warm days this past few weeks so I have taken the pochade box out for a spin. The only problem is that with these warm days there is always a high wind factored in. So it isn't as warm as you want it to be! 

Boathouses

If you have read any of my posts before you will have seen that I have attempted to draw the boathouses on Canandaigua Lake many times: 

http://reddout.blogspot.com/2015/04/canandaigua-boathouse.html
http://reddout.blogspot.com/2014/12/painting-woes.html
http://reddout.blogspot.com/2015/05/canandaigua-boathouses-part-73.html
http://reddout.blogspot.com/2015/08/plein-air.html

While searching for some ideas in my classroom I came across an artist that drew these little fictitious scenes of buildings. The buildings were small, detailed and painted in watercolors. So I thought what a cool technique, I want to try that but I just need a subject...

[my girlfriend's (*edit* fiancee's) micron pens and D+S watercolors on either Stillman & Birn Delta loose sheets or Strathmore watercolor paper]

Winter Drawing Slam

A local art studio has an annual "drawing slam" where there are 2 models, a ton of food, and 6 hours to sketch/draw/paint your brains out! 

I did a combination of sketching the models and sketching my fellow artists! It was a ton of fun and a great way to meet some other folks! 

[namiki falcon with DeArtementis Document ink, D+S watercolors in a Stillman & Birn Alpha sketchbook-landscape]

[zebra sarasa 07 gel pen, PITT warm gray markers, and a white gel pen in a toned tan Strathmore sketchbook]

One man sketchcrawl

60 degrees and sunny in February! That calls for a sketch crawl! 

[namiki falcon with DeArtementis Document ink, D+S watercolors in a Stillman & Birn Alpha sketchbook-landscape]

[ball point pen, in a toned tan Strathmore sketchbook]

Make lemonade

So I started this sketch at a doctor's office, and wouldn't you know it, I got called into my visit and had to leave. I only got her hair, forehead, eye and nose done. So the next day I added the rest from memory. I think I nailed it. 

[zebra sarasa 07 gel pen, PITT warm gray markers, and a white gel pen in a toned tan Strathmore sketchbook]