Sketching the Flea

We went to Crown Heights to escape the cold and rain.  The Brooklyn Flea Market turned out to be an ideal place;  there was so much to see and draw.  The only problem was the embarrassment of riches - there was too much to choose from.  

I opened up my stool at the first booth that caught my eye.  They had a bright yellow children's sized dentist chair with a scuffed up saxophone resting on the seat.  As I added details around the chair I kept wanting to put one or two people in the drawing, but no one stayed still long enough.  Finally I spotted a mother who had her kid corralled, holding him by the hood of his winter coat

The Bike Jack Booth

I took all morning on the sketch above and then joined everyone for lunch.  Our lunches always  become an opportunity to do portraits. No, no one sits as still as a sketcher.

I did a quick sketch of Vivien a new sketchers who's just move the NYC from New Zealand.

The Pinball Wizard

Jason came late.  As we sat chatting he sketched over my shoulder and I sketched over his.  My view was a guy who was killing it at a Pinball Machine.

Manny's Collectibles

Back out on the Flea Market floor I set up in front of Manny's booth.  People stopped by continuously to check out his vinyl record collection.

Montana Antlers

Cassidy and her sister had a booth nearby and it was an easy pivot to do a quick sketch of her.  They're both from Montana and were raised on a farm where they grow antlers.  She mentioned that she enjoys sketching, so, who knows, maybe we have a new convert.

And of course, what sketch event would be complete with out a Mandatory Picture of Jim?  Here's mine:

Mandatory Jim (circa late 2014)