The Korner Store

I spent about 90 minutes parked outside the Korner Market. I don't know how many times I've driven by the place and always thought it to be a good painting subject and finally. I think I'll be hitting up more of the little stores in town as well as some of the many tattoo shops.

Back to Basics

I checked my calendar to see when the drawing class begins and I have one more week of waiting. I'm excited to again be with a group of people interested in sketching. My required supplies list is complete with the exception of "tape". I'm not really sure what kind so I'll carry a roll of masking tape with me for the first class. Yesterday I did some practicing with the very basic supplies, a sketch book (actually two) and a papermate silhouette 0.7mm lead pencil (with eraser). Between some unsuspecting souls, a picture of a man, the cat that wouldn't stay still and good old stand by plant I was able to exercise the right side of my brain.

 

Air Museum

It was a beautiful day to visit the Palm Springs Air Museum. I got a chance to draw two of the old but still functional WWII planes. I took more pictures so I'm sure they'll be converted into sketches sometime in the future.

I used my liquid and graphite pencils then added a touch of blue sky with watercolors.

Weekend In The Desert

I love driving to Palm Springs for a long weekend. We left on Friday and stayed at a different hotel since Harley was coming along (Ziggy went to his favorite Doggy Camp place to stay). I'm always amazed with the hotels that allow dogs but have a weight limit of something very small like 12 lbs. Fortunately, I found this place that had no limit plus there was a large grassy area for dogs to play and run around. Needless to say, Harley had a great time and we'll be returning to that place again I'm sure.
So first the room and below is the cabana done with water colors and ink and below is the grassy area done with water colors and my new Sharpie liquid pencil that I was trying out.

I'll be using the liquid pencil again. It erases easy, allows for highlighting, and it works well with the water. I do see some lead spotting on the drawings but not to a point where it's bothersome to me. It's another fun tool for my collection and use.

Laundry Day

It always feel good to get a big chore done for the week. I did this quick sketch while the laundry was in the wash. The guy was so into the book he was reading, he didn't even notice me.

A Short Sketch in the Forest

There must of been a new hatching of some little bug going on by the stream. Little black flying insects were happening on Sunday; I'm surprised one didn't get incorporated (smashed) onto the page I was sketching.  The problems of being close to water. I'll probably add more details to this one on the next trip but for now......

Day Two of Fresh Air

I could do this every day but work gets in the way. Which is why I am enjoying every day of my time off from work. Back at Elfin Forest and instead of sitting by the creek I picked a spot on the trail with a view. I was still in hearing distance from the creek so I had three very soothing and calm hours of sketching and painting.

Outside in the Sunshine

It was totally a great day. During the week, parking at Dixon Lake is free so I found the perfect overlook spot and spent the afternoon painting.

I might have to do the same thing tomorrow.

Sketch Crawl #1 - Elfin Forest

I went to my first sketch crawl! Even though the weather, cold and with a chance of rain, kept a lot of the regulars away, I did meet up with one fabulous San Diego member. This was my first time out in the open sketching and painting with people walking around. Two hours into it and I had to say goodbye to the peaceful surroundings since the chill was starting to go into my bones. It was a great day sketching plus finding out that a beautiful reserve is right in my home town....priceless.

 It's not my best work....but it was fun and relaxing to sit out near the running stream.

East Valley Empty Retail

It's always nice to finish up on a sketch. With the time changing it was light enough for me to add the water colors while my laundry was circling in the dryers.

Just like in any city today, there are quite a few empty retail type buildings in my town. This spot had a past life as a furniture store and it doesn't look like it's going to be used as anything soon other than a place to tape up posters for Mexican boxing events. 

Passing Time again...

....I'm beginning to enjoy the waiting around at Dr's offices or in this case surgery centers. I was there today for my partner who was getting some eye surgery done. I hung out in the reception area and then when the temp warmed up some, there was a nice little patio area to explore and sketch. There was a lot of bamboo to draw and I got to use my water brush for the first time. Surgery was successful and I got in some sketching time.  win-win.

East Valley Series - #3

Unfinished and I think it has potential.
Early Monday am - Laundry day - start the wash, walk Harley (the dog), put the clothes in the dryers, draw/paint for 29 minutes and then fold the clothes. Either I draw faster, don't walk the dog or be ok with a to-be-continued unfinished piece. For now, I'll take the tbc. In the meantime, I'm checking out some UTube how to videos about using watercolors.  Works for me.

Lake Wolford #2

It was the perfect sunny day. Not too many fishing people out and the fish seemed to be somewhere else too.

Lake Wolford #1

Not really liking this one but what the heck, fresh air and some piece of mind brain time...it's all worth it even if the outcome isn't great.  First time on a 9X12 cold press and it won't be my last.

At the End of the Garden

...stands a hardy cactus. Five years ago it was our Christmas tree and at that time it almost measured a foot high and had maybe four arms hanging on it. I planted it outside and now it's well over five feet high with brother's and sister's and way too many arms to count. It definitely has become one of my favorite plants.

East Valley Series - #2

 

While sitting in the car I sketched the tree out with pen then late in the day finished it with the water colors.

East Valley Series - #1

The early Sunday morning ritual is going to the laundromat for 2 hours. This Sunday, instead of reading during the in between times I decided to draw. Here's the beginnings of the business that's across the street from the laundromat.

Rock On!

Add color? Yes or no.....ahhh, maybe next time.

The Rocky Hill in RB

I'm not totally happy with this one but I still like it.

The Hills in RB

While my partner was in the dr's office, I stayed outside in the parking lot with my journal and traveling water colors.