REMINDER - CALL FOR ENTRIES - NYC Urban Sketcher ART Exhibit - “Virtual Sketching in the Time of Covid"

Where: New Amsterdam Library, 9 Murray Street, New York, NY 10007

When: August 15 - October 7, 2022

Submission Deadline: June 15, 2022

Eligibility: NYC Urban Sketcher virtual art, i.e., artwork created from photographs or 

digital references, between March 2020 and the present.

For this exhibit, digital photographs of all work will be submitted electronically to a Google Forms 

site. Technical specifications for the digital submissions are contained in the Google Forms links

 below. There are no entry fees and a limit of two submissions per person. A jury of three people

 independent of NYC Urban Sketchers will select the work. Like the exhibit at Grand Central 

Terminal in 2021, the art selected will be reproduced in large format and printed on paper for 

display at the library. Please be sure to select images for submission carefully. After submission,

 you cannot replace them. 

For more information and to enter your submission:

(a.) for gmail accountholders, use this link:    https://forms.gle/EuZG8N8v5b8oykkr6

(b) for non-gmail accountholders, use this link:     https://forms.gle/wkFN2ppmN5r4AHqQ7

Please note:  a second exhibit of NYC Urban Sketcher art will take place at the New Amsterdam Library, 

January 9 - February 27, 2023, featuring work created in 2022 on location (not from photographs), 

below 14th Street in Manhattan. A similar submission and reproduction process will be followed. 

Be sure to check out upcoming sketch locations by the weekend and weekday sketch groups. They will be 

visiting many sites below 14th Street in the next six months. Stay tuned for more information. 

SUNDAY: Sketch the Central Park Boat Pond

 

One of my favorite spots in Central Park is the Model Boat Pond.  It has such a warm inviting feel.  The view across the pond of the boat house is an artist's delight.  There is a constant stream of interesting people passing by.  As you sit sketching families and couples pass by and often act out interesting scenes posing for pictures.  But you will need to sketch quickly.  

There are also the Alice in Wonderland statue and the Hans Christian Anderson statue that are magnets for kids and their photographing parents and grandparents. The incredibly scenic Bethesda Fountain is right over the hill.

Try to not miss the morning portion of our sketch when the park is relatively empty - it’s a delight!

DETAILS

What:   We’ll be sketching on the west side of the Model Boat Pond in Central Park

Where:   You can approach from any direction, but the easiest and most direct path is to enter from the west side of the park or the east.  The pond is at about 74th Street.  On the east side there are entrances at E72nd and E 76th Streets, or you can walk across the park by entering from the west at W72 St.

(see map below)

When:  Start time - 10 AM.   Running late?  Come anyway - we'll be there.

How:

-   By Subway:  

Take the A, B or C train to 72nd Street - Central Park is across the street. You are entering from the West side of the park

Or take the #6 train to 77th Street. Central Park is about four blocks away.  You are entering from the East side of the park

Lunch:  We'll break at 12:30.  We’ll be staying in the area, probably picnicking on the grass. Bring your own food and drink or rely on the park vendors.

Afternoon:  1:30 PM  Back to sketching.  For the afternoon we may consider a slight change of location to - The Mall and Literary Walk, which is a short five minute walk from the Boat Pond.

Show and Tell:  3:00 PM - Location to be determined based on where we sketch in the afternoon.  There are many lovely spots nearby.   We’ll find an area nearby to share our stories from the day, show our artwork and talk about the things artists talk about when they’re together.

NOTE:

-     Bring a hat (for the sun - hopefully!)

-      Bring a stool if you have one, it gives you more options. 

(click to enlarge)​

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at  973-809-9128

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

​

SATURDAY - April 30th - Living History Museums in the United States

Plimoth Plantation, MA 

Colonial Williamsburg, VA                                

Mystic Seaport, CT

Join us for a day of sketching historical sites and living museums in the United States, including Plimoth Plantation, Colonial Williamsburg and Mystic Seaport among other 

This unguided virtual sketching event will begin at 10am EDT on Saturday, April 30th and will end at approximately 12:30pm EDT.

Registration is required. Please click the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/living-history-museums-in-the-united-states-tickets-322875548457 

For photo references, click the link below:

https://625a41183884b.site123.me/

NYC Urban Sketchers is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization (EIN 84-3937060. Tax deductible donations by check may be sent to NYC Urban Sketchers, PO Box 1083, James A Farley Post Office, New York, NY 10116. 

Upcoming Events:

May 7 - Kentucky Derby Day - horses, hats, drinks and landscapes

May 14 - NY Botanical Garden - in conjunction with NYC Urban Sketchers on-site

May 21 - South Pacific

 

WORKSHOP:   Watercolor Painting Outdoors 

is More Fun with a Plan

“It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.” Thoreau. 

RON’S WORKSHOP:

This workshop will discuss how to overcome personal resistance by walking students through the elements of creating a successful watercolor painting (i.e., coming up with a concept for the painting, creating a thumbnail to think through composition and values, and selecting a limited palette including how to create a color wheel from the selected limited palette).  You’ll see these elements come together as we paint a landscape together. 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:

Working from a photo reference, Ron will discuss why, and demonstrate how to make a thumbnail sketches, while discussing composition and value.  All participants will make their own thumbnail sketches. 

Working from the same photo reference, Ron will demonstrate how to select a limited palette and then mix secondary colors and place them on a color wheel.  All participants will do the same. This will create your painting's color map.    

Finally, Ron will demonstrate the balance of 4 steps on a 7 x 11 piece of watercolor paper.  This will include: 

• Drawing the scene on watercolor paper. 

• Laying in light washes and preserving whites. 

• Laying in mid-tones and darks.

• Refining values and adding details. 

After each step, Ron will pause and give the participants time to do that step.  He will also provide assistance to students while everyone works. Ron will wrap up with a review and positive discussion on everyone’s completed work.  He will also provide some watercolor painting pointers. 

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

• Instructor: Ron Macklin
• Date and Time: Wednesday, May 11, 2022, from 11 AM to 3 PM 
• Location: Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation (Chuch), 468 Rosedale Ave, White Plains, NY 10605
• The cost for this 4-hour workshop is $55.

SUPPLIES:

A handout including the course outline, a materials list, and photo reference will be emailed in advance of the workshop.

To register click here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-watercolor-painting-outdoors-is-more-fun-with-a-plan-tickets-328321818397

  

Weekday Sketchers at Park Ave "Zoo"

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!!

Well, not quite. But there is a lion, a bear, a gorilla, a dinosaur and even a mastodon right on Park Avenue!  

Join us this week as we explore this temporary installation along Park Avenue in the 30's.  Sponsored by the Patrons of Park Avenue (POPA), these sculptures are the creation of Idriss B in his iconic polygonal shaped animals. Painted in bright colors with the meridian's foliage as a backdrop these animals should make great studies for our sketchbooks.  For more information about this installation, click here: https://patronsofparkavenue.org/art/

DATE: WEDNESDAY APRIL 27, 2022

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  PARK AVE BETWEEN 34TH AND 38TH STREET

                         We wil meet on the corner of 36th Street and Park Ave

TRANSPORTATION: 6 Train to 33rd and Lexington Ave 

NOTES:

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at Rayliedunkel1@gmail.com.
• Looking for us?  Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• Bring a stool, water and lunch (or purchase something locally)
• Please note that this is real Urban Sketching right on the street.  Be prepared to deal with pedestrians and traffic.  You will also have to find bathrooms along the way in a coffee shop or other business. 
• If you haven't seen the Holbein show at the Morgan Library, this is a great opportunity to stop in on your way home. 

THURSDAY: Westchester Sketchers at Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck, NY

 

Harbor Island Park is by far the gem of Mamaroneck with its historic landmark, plenty of open space, surrounded by greenery, a wonderful beach, and water park and playground for kids, and, of course, boating, including a launching area, docks, and fishing floats.  There are many things to sketch.

Details:

WHEN:  Start time 10:30 AM on Thursday, April 28, 2022.

WHERE:  Harbor Island Park, use the entrance at Mamaroneck Ave. and Boston Post Road.
                 Meet us at the Welcome to Harbor Island Park sign, located near the parking area. 

DIRECTIONS: https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/harbor-island-park-407398548

TRANSPORTATION from NYC: Take the Metro-North New Haven Line to the Mamaroneck Train Station.  Walk east along Mamaroneck Ave. about 5 blocks to the Park at the intersection of Boston Post Road.
                   
LUNCH:  1:00 PM  Bring your own or shop for possibilities on Mamaroneck Avenue.

SHOW and TELL:   Following lunch - we will share drawings, good stories, and thoughts.

NOTES:

• There are benches, but bring a stool to give you more options.
• If coming by train, shop for your lunch as you walk along Mamaroneck Ave. to the park.
• Parking is free off-season (Tuesday, September 7th until Thursday, May 26th).

Please RSVP to cathygutterman@verizon.net

If you can’t find us 

call Marianne at 914-355-6507 

or call Cathy at 914-625-0766

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

 

New Jersey Sketchers at Fort Lee

Kick off of the New Jersey Chapter

Friday April 29, 2022

Fort Lee, NJ is much more than sitting in a traffic jam trying to get onto the GW Bridge!

 It actually was a fort during the Revolutionary War.  

Join us as we relive American history in a park on top of the Palisades cliffs with great views of the GW Bridge and NYC skyline, a Revolutionary War encampment, historic re-enactments and a 'living history' school program. Wear your red, white, and blue!  For information about the park, its history and activities, check the web site: www.njpalisades.org/fortlee.html

The Long Path hiking trail goes through the park. Extending 358 miles from the 175th Street Subway Station in New York City to John Boyd Thacher State Park near Albany in New York, the Long Path Trail is a thread connecting many of New York's parks, preserves, and state forest land offering great views of the river, the bridges and views of upper Manhattan, the Bronx and Yonkers. 

The visitors center has exhibits, bathrooms and water.   Accessible by public transit from Manhattan and with lots of parking for cars, this is a wonderful spot to kick off our new New Jersey division of the NYC Urban Sketchers Chapter! 

DATE: FRIDAY APRIL 29, 2022

STARTING TIME:  10:15 AM

LOCATION:  Fort Lee Historic Park, Fort Lee, NJ

                    Historic Park Visitor Center

                    Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee NJ 07024

TRAINSPORTATION: 

WITH A CAR:   Check a map  program from your locat

ion. Parking is available at the Visitors Center. 

FROM NYC VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: 

George Washington Bridge Bus Station at 178th Street:

Take the A train to 175th Street. Exit at the front of the train and go up the ramp into the bus terminal.

Buses and tickets are upstairs. Take the NJ transit bus #188 at 9:50am one stop across the bridge.

There is also bus #178 at 10:00 am. All buses stop at the 1st stop (Bridge Plaza) in Fort Lee including the small vans, but they charge more.

See map for walking directions.

From Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street:

Take NJ transit bus #156 at 9:10 am to Fort Lee, Lemoine Avenue and Bridge Plaza South.

There is also a bus at 9:30 am. Schedule attached.

See map for walking directions.

There is lots of metered parking. $1 for the first 3 hours, then $2.

NOTES

• Please RSVP to Margaret Casagrande at  margaret.casagrande@gmail.com
• Looking for us? Call or text Margaret at : 646-515-9913
• Those coming across the GW Bridge on the 9:50 AM bus, text Margaret and she will meet you at the bus stop. 
• There is no food service in the park. Bring your lunch.
• Bathrooms and water are available at the Visitor Center
• Bring a stool
• Palisades Park is a very large and varied park. There are hiking trails, boat docks, picnic areas and bike trails. It is a good place to bring non-sketchers to join you for a day's activities while you sketch.   Later, you can spend part of your day exploring the area beyond the Historic Park Center where we will be meeting.  Check this park map for details: https://www.njpalisades.org/pdfs/map.pdf 

walking route from bus station

​

This Sunday, April 24th 

we’ll be sketching the High Line  

All of our morning activities will focus on the area between the entrance at Gansevoort St to as far north as 14th Street.  It’s a limited area with wonderful wide stretches which make sketching easier.   In the morning the High Line is relatively uncrowded  We’ll have lunch together and in the afternoon we’ll be sketching in the streets.  

The weather is supposed to be good.

DETAILS

What:   We’ll be sketching at and near the entrance to the High Line.

Where:   We’ll meet at the entrance to the High Line at Gansevoort and Washington Str.  If you come late meet us upstairs.  Anyone with a sketchbook is mostly likely to be an Urban Sketcher.  

When:  Start time - 10 AM.   Running late?  Come anyway - we'll be there.

How:

-   By Subway:  Take the A, C, E or L train to 14th Street and 8th Avenue, or 

take the 1, 2 or 3 train to 14th St and Seventh Avenue

Lunch:  We'll break at 12:00 PM.  Location to be determined.  Bring your own food and drink or rely on the numerous (somewhat pricey) local stores and vendors.

Afternoon:  1:00 PM  Back to sketching, but for the afternoon we’ll be sketching in the streets in the area around the High Line

Show and Tell:  3:00 PM - Meeting back at the stairs leading up to the High Line,  We’ll find an area nearby to share our artwork, tell good stories  and gab about the things artists talk about when they’re together.

NOTES:

-     Bring a hat (for the sun - hopefully!)

-      Bring a stool if you have one, it gives you more options. 

click to enlarge​

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

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

SATURDAY - April 23rd - Celebrating Earth Day - The Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon rainforest is the world’s largest tropical rainforest and famous for its biodiversity. It is crisscrossed by thousands of rivers including the nearly 4,000 mile long Amazon River. The Amazon rainforest contains several million species insects, plants, birds and other life forms still unrecorded by science. 

There are 1,300 bird species in the Amazon rainforest, accounting for one-third of all bird species in the world. The most common species include various macaws, toucans, owls, hoatzin, storks, falcons, egrets, kingfishers, vultures, parrots and parakeets. Additionally, there are 427 mammal species, 378 species of reptiles, and over 400 species of amphibians. The jaguar, capybara, howler monkey, sloth, anteater, and pink river dolphin are among the most common species. At up to 550 pounds, the green anaconda resides in the Amazon basin and is the largest snake in the world. 

Join us for a day of sketching the wild beauty of the Amazon rainforest. 

This virtual sketch event will be held on Saturday, April 23rd, beginning at 10am EDT and ending at 12pm EDT. 

There are no fees. All drawing skills are welcome.

What you need to do:

1. Register at Eventbrite at the link below:
Celebrating Earth Day: Sketch the Amazon Rainforest Tickets, Sat, Apr 23, 2022, at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

2. For photographic references for this event, click on this link:
https://624a58c2ea84c.site123.me/

What’s Coming Up Next:
April 30 - Living History Museum
May 7 - Kentucky Derby
May 14 - New York Botanical Garden

NYC Urban Sketchers is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization (EIN 84-3937060). Tax deductible donations may be made by check and sent to NYC Urban Sketchers, PO Box 1083, James A. Farley Post Office, New York, NY 10116. 

Weekday Sketchers at Noguchi Museum Wednesday

There are so many reason to visit the Noguchi Museum: The wonderful sculptures, the industrial vibe, the peaceful garden, or the ferry ride to get there.  But at this time of year there is even one more reason: the beautiful weeping cherry tree in the center of the garden.  Join its this week for an immersive experience into all things Noguchi.

DATE: WEDNESDAY APRIL 12, 2023

STARTING TIME: 11:30 AM

 The museum opens at 11 AM. The Astoria Ferry will dock about 11:15.  Plan your time accordingly. 

LOCATION:  THE NOGUCHI MUSEUM

                        9-01 33rd Road (at Vernon Boulevard) 

                        Long Island City, New York 11106

TRANSPORTATION:  The easiest way to get to the museum is to use the East River Ferry.  Take the Astoria line to Astoria. When you exit the ferry follow the street around Socrates Park to the Museum.  Check the schedule for details:  https://www.ferry.nyc/routes-and-schedules/route/astoria/. 

Or, by subway take the F train to Queensbridge/21 St, the 7 to Vernon-Jackson, the N & W to Broadway then walk to the museum.  Check the website for detailed directions: https://www.noguchi.org/museum/visit/

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Loraine Smith at smith.lc@rcn.com
• Looking for us? Call or text Lorraine at 929-614-1930
  
• There is an admission charge for the museum.  $12 for adults, $6 for Seniors. The museum accepts the American Alliance of Museum membership for 2 free admissions as well as other memberships. Check the website for more information: https://www.noguchi.org/museum/visit/. (Suggestion: if you have the AAM card, get the two admission tickets and share with another Urban Sketchers).
• Advanced reservations are recommended 
• Bring a stool
• Be prepared to work in dry materials, especially indoors
• COVID restrictions are in place. You will have to show proof of vaccination
• Food service is suspended for the time being. Water bottles are allowed 

WEDNESDAY: Westchester Sketchers at Harrison, NY

 

We will be sketching in the charming Town/Village of Harrison - on the expanse of land and park directly in front of the Harrison Library (Halperin Building) and across from the Harrison Train Station.  What is there to sketch?  Quaint houses, a gazebo, war memorials, the train station, a municipal building, or people in the library.  If we are lucky, maybe the cherry trees will be in bloom.

      

DETAILS:

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2022

LOCATION: The park expanse between the Harrison Train Station and the Harrison Library. 

2 Bruce Ave, Harrison, NY 10528 Phone: (914) 835-0324.

DIRECTIONS by TRAIN (From NYC):
Metro-North New Haven Line from Grand Central Terminal to the Harrison Station. You will need to cross the elevated bridge over the tracks to reach the park in front of the Harrison Library. 

START TIME: 10:00 AM.  We will meet by the Gazebo.

LUNCH: 12:45 PM, followed by SHOW & TELL. This is the social part of our day when we share our drawings, tips, and stories.  It is a time not to be missed.

NOTES:

• There is a deli on the corner of Harrison Avenue, within walking distance of the park.
• There is street parking near the private houses on Bruce Street, one-hour parking in front of the municipal building, and 2-hour parking in front of the train walkway.
• Harrison Library opens at 10:00 AM so you should be able to find parking in front of the library.
• There are seating options in the park and around the Library, but bring a stool for more options.
• In case of rain showers, we will head indoors to sketch in the Harrison Library or St. Gregory's Church on Halstead Avenue.

Please RSVP to Cathy (cathygutterman@verizon.net). 

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

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