Sketchcrawl at Hale's Ale Brewery

The spring sun shone on quite large group of urban sketchers outside of Hale's Ale Brewery this morning. I was hoping to spend some time outside to sketch the building and surrounding neighborhood, but ended up staying inside for the entire session.

Hale's Brewery interior, sketched from the steps

The brewery was a challenge to sketch due to its complex overlapping shapes and lines. I started my process by focusing on the basic shapes and placing them in the overall scene (ie. the phone booth, the row of storefront windows, the guardrail, the tanks, etc.) and not really worrying too much about perspective. Once I had these basic shapes down, I added some details (ie. pipes, railings, steel ladders, mullions, etc.) and slowly populating the frame with more lines. Lastly I incorporated hatches to create shading for depth.

Hale's Brewery interior, sketched from the entry lobby

Lunch with Frank

After finishing a couple of sketches, I headed into the bar with the intention to sketch some more. There I came across Frank Ching enjoying his beer. I ended up joining him for a quick bite and chat. He shared his sketching tricks and I shared the story of my college time back in Indonesia studying architecture and having bunch of his books on my desk as reference. Who would've thought that I'd be sitting here having lunch with the master himself.

Last Week Around Town

Planet Java Diner

The Bounty, Stone Way

Mr. Allard's Classroom

Planet Java

In-class Demonstration

Out of necessity, my Gage class uses the still-life to practice the ink wash and Uniball technique. The class was conceived as an outdoor experience but the unpredictable Seattle weather and the after-dark hours of the winter class made that impractical. However, the approach is exactly the same: little to no penciling, committing to gestural contours, quick diluted washes and a little hatching.

bottles of light

A fine day again to go out and sketch; this winter is so much like Spring.

Coming back to Stephen Holl's fine chapel each year is always fresh and inspiring.

I worked with line and in shape, using keen senses in describing 

amazing proportions, as form unfolded.

A casual sketch; a memorable day.

2nd Annual West Coast Urban Sketchers Gathering - Portland

With Seattle sketcher Gail Wong, I rode a Bolt Bus down to Portland for the day to participate in this annual event. It was my first real trip to spend any time in downtown Portland and was impressed with the architecture and culture of the city. I definitely will be back.

This building caught my eye because of the color around the windows of what seemed like a warehouse, only to be told by a passing mail courier that in 2012 it was the site of MTV's 28th season of 'The Real World', probably one of the original reality shows.

There were over a hundred sketchers attending the event and I met many great sketchers whose work I've enjoyed online and can now put a face to. I went back to Seattle that night on the bus, a bit much for one hot day (90+). Next time I'll stay for the weekend and why not, Portland has a lot to offer a sketcher.

Volunteer Park Reservoir

Getting the dates of the sketch gathering mixed up, I did this sketch of the reservoir a week before the actual sketchers gathering and big snow (don't tell anyone...). Even on a cold grey day it is one of my favorite views of the Needle.

Pen and ink with a watercolor wash

Georgetown Boots - Oxbow Park

Went to Georgetown (Seattle) and stumbled across the landmark Hat and Boots. Once a gas station and part of a western themed shopping complex called Frontier Village in the 1950's, the hat (not shown) was the cashier stand and the boots were the men and ladies restrooms. They were rescued from a dilapidated state by volunteers and relocated to Oxbow Park.

When I first arrived a family of four were having a picnic on the toe of the first boot. The hat is placed quite a ways from the boots and will have to be a separate sketch another day.

6400 block between Carleton Ave. S. and Corson Ave. S.