In and Around Madison Park

I arrived in the city early enough to stop en route to our location and do a sketch at the corner of 7th Ave and 25th St. I watched the first lesson of Mark Taro Holmes' latest video class which focused on a single line sketch. He did mostly landscapes but I gave some typical NYC buildings a try. I found it hard to keep my pen on the paper without lifting it, but most of this was done as a single line sketch. He also uses a brush pen to do strategic darks in the drawing. I like how that works.

When I got to Madison Park I sat on a bench outside and faced the Flatiron Building. I know...I know...I missed a few windows. LOL This one wasn't a single line sketch but I did use the brush pen for dark accents.

Next we headed into the park where the art sculpture was located. It was really interesting but not so easy to sketch.

We had an out of town guest sketching with us today. Visiting from Memphis was Elizabeth Alley, President of Urban Sketchers. It was a lot of fun to chat with her and see her sketches. Here she is sketching with Shawne.

After lunch I did a few sketches of people enjoying the sunny day in the park.

It was a great day for a picnic lunch....

or just sitting out in the park.

Essex Market and...

Always fun to visit the LES with its' eclectic melting pot. The Essex Market has an old world feel which made for some fun sketching. My first sketch was a bread shop.

 

Warning! These next sketches are not considered "Urban Sketching" so if you are offended, turn off your computer now! After lunch and another quick market sketch, many of us went to Dr Sketchys. This was my first time, and I am ready to go back! I worked large (19" x 17" paper), and mostly in oil pastel, which I have only used once before.

This first page is the 1 minute warmups.

 

 

This next group is a conbination of two minute and 15 minute sketches. The theme was Russian Fairytales.

 

This last sketch is a total suprise. We were asked to try our non dominant hand. I may become a lefty!