FRIDAY: Westchester Sketchers at Caramoor in Katonah, NY - ENCORE!

 

The Westchester Sketchers had such a good time last week that we are going to visit Caramoor again! On Friday we will return to the lush grounds, where the historic Rosen House, Spanish Courtyard, and magnificent gardens will be the inspiration for our sketches. Those who were with us last week know that there is so much more to sketch. If you couldn't join us last week, please do so this week - you are in for a treat!

You'll Find a Wealth of Inspiration Here! 

Located on the grounds of a former estate, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a destination for exceptional music, captivating programs, spectacular gardens and grounds. It enriches the lives of its audiences through innovative and diverse musical performances of the highest quality.

We will explore the lush grounds, and the settings of the historic Rosen House, Spanish Courtyard, and magnificent gardens which will be the inspiration for your sketches.

In addition, there is an annual exhibition of sound art, curated by Stephan Moore, from artists working with sonic materials outside the traditions of concert music. World-renowned sound artist Trimpin created the permanent kinetic interactive sculpture located in the entry plaza. From the top of the C’s curve, 24 tuned metal bell chimes ranging over two octaves are suspended. Made out of steel and utilizing electromechanical components, in“C” interacts with visitors through a motion sensor (as you approach, its melodious chimes draw you closer) and through the physical activation of a push-button panel (Don’t be shy!).

DETAILS:

Where: Caramoor https://caramoor.org/visit/
149 Girdle Ridge Road in Katonah, NY 10536. Phone: 914-232-1252

When: FRIDAY, September 3rd. 10:00 AM.

We'll meet We'll meet at the Entry Circle plaza near the Foxes Field parking lot.

NOTE: The entrance gates open towards you as you approach them. 

Directions: https://caramoor.org/visit/getting-to-caramoor/

Transportation from NYC: Take the Harlem Line of the Metro-North Railroad to Katonah Station. Caramoor is a 3.5-mile drive from the Katonah station. For current information, check the Metro-North schedule. Car service from the Katonah Train Station to Caramoor (5 minutes away) is available by calling Katonah Taxi at 914.232.5772. Be sure to book a round trip ride with the taxi or car service company if you’ll be returning to the train station.

NOTE: If you will need a ride from the station, please call Cathy to arrange for pick up.

Lunch: 1 PM Bring your own food. We'll be picnicking together on the patio behind the Entry Circle.

Show & Tell: Following lunch, we will share stories and sketches during the social part of our day.

NOTES:
- It will be hot. Bring drinking water.
- There are lots of benches, but bring a stool for more options.
- Dress for sunshine. Bring a hat and sunscreen.
- Restrooms are available.
- Parking is free.

Looking for us? Call: Cathy at (914) 625-0766 or Marianne (914) 355-6507

Please R.S.V.P. to Cathy Gutterman cathygutterman@verizon.net

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome.

 

City Hall Park is the public park surrounding NYC Hall.  It's the area that was once considered the town commons in our early history. It’s located in the Civic Center of Manhattan.  

From the park there are loads of sketching choices.   You can sketch the scenic fountain or City Hall. The park is surrounded by skyscrapers and city office buildings.   Across the street to the west is the Woolworth Building - a classic, and one block to the east is the Brooklyn Bridge.  We’re going to spend the morning in the park and will have lunch there together.

In the afternoon Law and Order fans will be delighted that we’ll be sketching the iconic New York County Supreme Court, a two block walk north from the park.

DETAILS

When:  We’ll be meeting on Sunday at 10 AM.  We’ll be sketching all day in case you’re delayed.

Where:  City Hall Park is located between Broadway and Chambers Streets  (See map below)

These subways stations are right by the park

• City Hall Station N,R,W
• Chambers Street J,Z
• Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall 4,5,6

About a two block walk:

• Chambers Street A,C  
• World Trade Center - E 

Lunch:  We’ll break for lunch together at noon (12 PM)  It’s Bringyourowni or rely on vendors and stores in the area.

Afternoon:  (1 PM) We will take a leisurely walk two blocks to the north and will use Foley Square as our base camp to sketch the Supreme Court.  The Thurgood Marshal US Courthouse is next door and the FBI building is to the west as well as the Court of International Trade.

Show and Tell:  (3 PM)  We’ll get together in the park for our Show and Tell, the social part of the day when we share our sketches and tell stories

NOTE:  Bring a stool if you have one - it gives you more sketching opportunities

(click to enlarge)

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark - 973-809-9128      

 

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome

Saturday - Sketching the Ivy League

Saturday, September 4th at 10:00am - online NYC Urban Sketchers sketch event. 

Join the Virtual NYC Urban Sketchers event in capturing the distinctive aesthetic imprint of each of the eight colleges of the Ivy League - images of stone-clad buildings and leafy quadrangles sprinkled with iconic statues and distinctive heraldry. Walk through the wrought-iron gates and hallowed halls of America's most prominent and beautiful universities. Enter into a land of exclusivity and privilege that has produced many presidents, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winners, and leaders who have left their personal stamps on the world.

The Ivy League (otherwise known as The Ancient Eight) was founded initially as an American collegiate athletic conference comprising eight private research universities in the Northeastern U.S. The League includes: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University. These academic institutions are viewed as some of the most prestigious universities in the world, admitting less than 10% of their applicants vying for degrees that connote academic excellence and social currency.

Register at the Eventbrite link below, by Friday noon, EDT. The photographic references are also available on the Eventbrite link.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-sketch-the-ivy-league-tickets-166693882891?

CANCELED 

WEEKDAY SKETCHER SEPT 1 

Rain, rain, go away, Urban Sketchers want to play!

Seems that the weather is not going to cooperate for ur outing to Pier 1.  We will go there next Wednesday.  

Weekday Sketchers at Riverside Park

 

Question: How far can you walk out into the Hudson River?  

Answer: 795 feet At Pier 1 in Riverside Park....pretty far!

Join us this week at Pier 1 and the adjacent Riverside Park South. Running from 59th to 71st Street, the park offers interning sketching venues, including an old gantry that was used to unload barges and railroad cars, interesting water features and, at the 72nd street entrance, an elegant statue of Eleanor Roosevelt 

PLEASE NOTE

• We will meet at the Pier 1 Cafe right at the entrance to the pier
• There are bathrooms at the Pier 1 Cafe, where you can get coffee and food
• You can enter the park via the walkway at 72nd street, 68th Street 
• You can bring a stool but there are plenty of benches to sit on

DATE:  WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  PIER 1 AT 70TH STREET

TRANSPORTATION:  1, 2, 3 train to 72nd Street.  Walk west to the river.

Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at raylie@verizon.net if you are going to attend. Looking for us? Call or text  Raylie at 201-273-0445

IMPORTANT:  The weather forecast is for rain. Hoping that the rain will hold off for a while we will go ahead with the scheduled meet up.  However, if it does rain the program will be canceled by 8:00 AM. Watch this space for the cancelation notice.  If you RSVP to Raylie you will receive an email about the cancelation directly to your inbox. If the program is canceled we will go here the following week. 

FRIDAY: Westchester Sketchers at Caramoor in Katonah, NY

 

Find Your Inspiration Here! 

Located on the grounds of a former estate, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a destination for exceptional music, captivating programs, spectacular gardens and grounds. It enriches the lives of its audiences through innovative and diverse musical performances of the highest quality.

 On Friday we will explore the lush grounds, and the settings of the historic Rosen House, the Venetian Theater, Spanish Courtyard, and magnificent gardens which will be the settings for your sketches.

 

In addition, there is an annual exhibition of sound art, curated by Stephan Moore, from artists working with sonic materials outside the traditions of concert music. World-renowned sound artist Trimpin created the permanent kinetic interactive sculpture located in the entry plaza. From the top of the C’s curve, 24 tuned metal bell chimes ranging over two octaves are suspended. Made out of steel and utilizing electromechanical components, in“C” interacts with visitors through a motion sensor (as you approach, its melodious chimes draw you closer) and through the physical activation of a push-button panel (Don’t be shy!).

DETAILS:

Where: Caramoor https://caramoor.org/visit/
149 Girdle Ridge Road in Katonah, NY 10536. Phone: 914-232-1252

When: FRIDAY, August 27th. 10:00 AM.

We'll meet We'll meet at the entrance plaza by the Foxes Field parking lot.

Directions: https://caramoor.org/visit/getting-to-caramoor/

Transportation from NYC: Take the Harlem Line of the Metro-North Railroad to Katonah Station. Caramoor is a 3.5-mile drive from the Katonah station. For current information, check the Metro-North schedule. Car service from the Katonah Train Station to Caramoor (5 minutes away) is available by calling Katonah Taxi at 914.232.5772. Be sure to book a round trip ride with the taxi or car service company if you’ll be returning to the train station.

NOTE: If you will need a ride from the station, please call Cathy to arrange for pick up and ride to the venue.

Lunch: 1 PM Bring your own food. We'll be picnicking together.

Show & Tell: Following lunch, we will share stories and sketches during the social part of our day.

NOTES:
- It will be hot. Bring drinking water.
- Bring a stool for more options.
- Dress for sunshine. Bring a hat and sunscreen.
- Restrooms are available.
- Parking is free.

Looking for us? Call: Cathy at (914) 625-0766

Please R.S.V.P. to Cathy Gutterman cathygutterman@verizon.net

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome.

Weekday Sketchers on Governors Island

Join us this week as we take a (very short)  cruise to Governors Island.  Wander the island's many habitats, recreation areas, art installations, ancient forts and Victorian homes.  The possibilities for sketching are endless.

Getting There and Other Notes:

• You MUST make a reservation for the ferry before going. Seniors are free, "juniors" are $3 during the week.   Click here to make a reservation: https://www.govisland.com/plan-your-visit/ferry.  
• As a group we will take the 10:00 AM ferry HOWEVER, you may make a reservation at any time and join us on the island
• If you are going to take the 10:00 Ferry, we will meet at the terminal 15 minutes before the ferry leaves. 
• Bring lunch or buy it from the many food trucks on the island 
• There are bathrooms and water fountains on the island.
• Bring a stool
• PLEASE RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at raylie@verizon.net that you will be attending ESPECIALLY if you are going to be there for the 10:00 AM ferry
• Looking for us?  Call Raylie at 201-273-0445 
• We will meet for lunch at 1:00 PM on the lawn in Nolan Park.  See the map below 

DATE:  WEDNESDAY AUGUST 25, 2021

STARTING TIME:  10:00 AM AT THE FERRY TERMINAL

LOCATION:  GOVERNORS ISLAND

MEETING LOCATION:  BATTERY MARINE FERRY TERMINAL 

                                           10 SOUTH STREET

TRANSPORTATON TO FERRY TERMINAL: 1 Train to South Ferry, R, W to South Ferry Whitehall St. 

SUNDAY - The World's Easiest Sketch Event - The Pivot Party

Welcome to the World's Easiest Sketch.  

SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!

RESCHEDULED FOR

Sunday August 28th, 2021

There's no reason not to come because - there's no work,  no walking,  no exertion with the Pivot Party!  

The only thing you do is draw and draw and draw.  The actual Pivot Party technique is based on an obscure version of the Hokey-Pokey intended for artists.

DESCRIPTION:

It could be the easiest spot in NYC to reach.  One block from crazy Times Square.  Everywhere you look there is something to draw in Bryant Park.  There's shade, there's buildings, trees, lawn, sculptures, park events, interesting people, plants, fellow sketchers and birds.

The Proper Pivot Technique

• Find a comfortable spot
• Plunk yourself down on said comfortable spot
• Pick any direction at all - and start sketching
• After about an hour (or when you finish your sketch) make a quarter turn clockwise and draw the next view. (see illustration for proper pivot procedure)
• (Note:  For you rebels out there - counter clockwise is OK too)
• Eat lunch together at noon in the park
• Finish eating and sketch more, (following the morning techniques)

DETAILS:

Where:  Bryant Park (located on Ave of the Americas between 42-40 Streets).  We’ll meet by the Fountain at the 41st St entrance.

When:  On SUNDAY we start at 10 AM and plan to sketch until 3 PM.  Sleeping late? Come anyway, we'll be there

Lunch:  Noon - Lunch at noon to be eaten in the park.  Stores nearby or Bringyourowni

How to get there:  Subway - B, D, F, M, or walk from Times Square or Grand Central

What to bring:  Art supplies, a blanket if you like the idea of a picnic, a stool if you like your own (the park has many available chairs we can use), a hat (in full sun sketching can be like sunbathing - be careful), something to drink and  a friend who likes to draw (or likes to watch as you draw).

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark - 973-809-9128      

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome

FRIDAY: Westchester Sketchers at Lasdon Park and Arboretum in Katonah

 

We have sketched Lasdon Park and Arboretum in Spring and the Fall, but never in Summer. In this beautiful park, you'll find lots to sketch: colorful summer flowers (the hydrangeas are putting on a show now), historic trees, memorials, dinosaurs, statues, monuments and much more.

The park contains woodlands, an open grass meadow, and formal gardens with flower and shrub specimens from all over the world. It also contains a Chinese Friendship Pavilion as gift from the People's Republic of China to the citizens of Westchester.

The Veterans Memorial is a pathway, known as The Trail of Honor, and is dedicated to the veterans of Westchester County, from The American Revolution to Desert Storm. On this trail you will walk among the natural surroundings and wildlife featured in Lasdon Park as you journey through our nation’s past.

DETAILS:

Where: Lasdon Park, Aboretum, and Veterans Memorial

https://www.lasdonpark.org/ 

2610 Amawalk Road (Route 35) Katonah, NY 10536 Phone: 914-864-7270

When: FRIDAY, August 20th. 10:00 AM.

We'll meet in front of the fountain at the park entrance from the upper parking lot. 

Directions: https://www.lasdonpark.org/directions/

Transportation from NYC: Metro-North Harlem Line to Katonah Station.

The 9:22 AM off-peak train from Grand Central arrives in Katonah at 10:28 AM.

Please call Cathy to arrange for pick up and ride to the garden.

Lunch: 1 PM Bring your own food. We'll be picnicking together.

Show & Tell: We'll share stories and sketches during the social part of our day.

NOTES:
- It will be hot. Bring drinking water.
- Bring a stool for more options.
- Dress for sunshine. Bring a hat and sunscreen.
- Restrooms are available.
- Parking is free.

Looking for us? Call: Cathy at (914) 625-0766

Please R.S.V.P. to Cathy Gutterman cathygutterman@verizon.net

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome.

Weekday Sketchers Go to Coney Island

What is summer without a trip to the beach??  Join us this Wednesday as we travel to iconic Coney Island to sketch the rides, the concession stands on the  boardwalk, the beaches, Nathan's Hot Dog stand and people, people , people.  Bring your stool, sunscreen, a hat and your brightest colors to be best able to capture the scene.

Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at Raylie@verizon.net.  Looking for us?  Call Rayile at 201-273-0445

NOTE:  We will meet in front of the Coney Island Museum at 10:30 AM  From there everyone will fan out and sketch on their own.  We will meet at the picnic tables by Nathan's Hot Dog Stand at 1:00 PM  If you don't meet up with us at the start you can catch up with us at lunch. 

Thanks for Marie Roberts for information about some sites and events at Coney Island:

Bathrooms on Boardwalk at Stillwell Ave. and Nathans are open (as of this writing.) but I suspect they will remain open.

Luna Park charges for a wristband just to enter and wander around.

Deno's Wonderwheel Park has no walk in admission, pay per ride. (Due the weird and busy visitor patterns I don't feel comfortable asking the owners for favors this summer.)

Artwall's seems to be open for ticket events on weekends, have not gone over as i have been limiting my wandering.

There is a new restaurant in the old Child's boardwalk building, LaTrombetta. I hear food is good and mid prices, i mention because the space is beautiful.

Dona Zeta on Bowery and Stillwell open and still everyone's favorite for price and quality and good for vegans.

There is a pizza place with outdoor seating on Surf Ave across from Sideshow, and there seems to be outdoor seating on Surf across from Cyclone. Deno's has a new coaster, The Phoenix on west 12th that people may enjoy drawing

Aquarium open but don't know pricing or rules. Frank Stella sculpture is new. 

                    Deno's has a new coaster, The Phoenix on west 12th that people may enjoy drawing.

                     I don't know if rules will be changing - I imagine not for outdoor attractions.

           If you want to be inside, La Trombolz looks gorgeous, on boardwalk, weather permitting, an upstairs area.

                     I have not eaten there or been inside since this new restaurant opened.

 https://gothamist.com/food/landmark-childs-building-coney-island-boardwalk-now-massive-new-restaurant

 

Coney Island Museum

DATE:  WEDNESDAY AUGUST 18, 2021

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  We will meet in front of the Coney Island Museum

                        1208 Surf Avenue, Coney Island NYC

                        The museum is located diagonally across the street from the subway station on Surf Ave.

TRANSPORTATION:  D, F, N, Q to Coney Island/Stillwell Ave Station

 

CHANGE - SUNDAY: Sketch Oyster Bay

 

for SATURDAY  SUNDAY:  August 15, 2021

NOTE:   THE DATE HAS CHANGED

This event is being hosted by Suzala

Oyster Bay is a charming 1800 fishing village located on the Long Island Sound on the North Shore of Long Island.  With views of ships moored, estates out on a peninsula across the water as well as the main street of a "New England" village. There is something to draw from every vista.  

The main street of Oyster Bay is conveniently located less than one block from the LIRR Station, and less than one block from the beautiful Oyster Bay Harbor of the Long Island Sound.

​

DETAILS 

Where: Oyster Bay, New York.   We will meet at the  Gazebo located on Audrey Avenue.   (see map below)

When: 10:00 AM, on Saturday, August 14th

Lunch:  12:30  Meet at the gazebo. Bringyourowni, or rely on the local stores and restaurants.

Afternoon:  1:30 - back to sketching.

Show and Tell: 3:00pm Meet back at the Gazebo.

Directions from Penn Station:

• There is a train leaving Penn Station at 8:34 AM it arrives in Oyster Bay at 9:59 AM 
• Suzala will be at the gazebo at 9:45.  Call if you’re late or lost.
• Return trains to Penn leaves at  4:14​ ​PM and arrives back at Penn Station at 5:38 PM.  
• You should probably purchase roundtrip tickets at Penn Station in the morning.

Coming from Long Island, 

• grab your GPS!

NOTES:

• Anticipate full sun.  Bring a hat.  Sketching can be like sunbathing.  Be prepared.
• Bring a stool if you own one. It gives you so many more options. 
• See map below. (Hint:  Shore Avenue, Audrey Ave and East Main street are all the SAME street.)
• The map makes everything look big. Suzala says - "Even I can walk the whole joint. Trust me, when I say small town I mean it."

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

or Suzala (our native resident) at 516 238-0220

Click to enlarge

There are no fees.   All drawing skill levels are welcome.

SUNDAY WORKSHOP: Painting a Theatre Marquee Nocturne

 

Katie Woodward's class is going to cover everything about painting a theatre marquee nocturne in watercolor, from tools you need to how to pick a spot, to how to actually paint one. We will be taking an in depth look at how lighting works in a night scene in general, and specifically how theatre marquees are often lit and what to focus on observing when you go to sketch one. Get ready for Broadway theaters to open back up by learning how to sketch them! Workshop will be online via zoom.

Things the class will cover:

-Logistics of painting at night, both in sketch tools/techniques and in picking locations

-Differences in light, value and color between a daytime and nighttime scene. 

-A full demonstration, painting a broadway theater from a photo start to finish

-Time and instruction to complete your own watercolor marquee

Materials:

-Graphite Pencil

-Watercolor palette with the pigments of your choice

-Water container with water

-Brushes of your choice

-Watercolor Paper

-White Gel Pen (I recommend the Uniball Signo) and/or white gouache

-Any other materials you like sketching with!​​

What You Need to Know

• You need to register to participate.  
• Click here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunday-workshop-painting-a-theatre-marquee-nocturne-tickets-166701038293
• There is a $​55 fee for the workshop plus Eventbrite's registration fee.
• The three hour virtual workshop will be ​ Sunday, August 22nd and starts at ​1:00 PM EDT
• Registration closes on Friday ​August 20th ​at noon EDT.
• Everyone who registers will receive the login info you’ll need to participate.on ​the ​Friday ​PM ​​before the workshop