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.

St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral

For Friday's sketch crawl, I thought it would be interesting to sit in the same spot where I drew the church three years ago and see how my approach might have changed. Not as much as I'd thought.

More of SAM

My first sketch inside SAM was in one of the entry lobbies where there are a number of large, Egyptian-like sculptures.  A Camel in Seattle:




I noticed this view while sheltering near the entrance as I arrived early.  I liked the old and modern buildings in back of The Hammering Man.



Sharing our sketches:

Sketchcrawl at SAM

I rode the Bus to the Sketchcrawl which provided many sketch opportunities.  The third in the top series is my attempt a Sketch Reportage.   A group of people came on the Bus without paying  and at the next stop three Transit Police boarded and got rid of the scofflaws.   While sketching Hammering Man I never really realized how much he looks like ET.  I love how people interact with it.  The little boy in the sketch posed for a picture while tickling HM's heel.

Fall City Farms Sketchcrawl

I appreciate Pumpkins, they always brighten up the day.  It was moist out and I was surprised at how long it took the page to dry.  While sketching I was hunched over my book and I heard a familiar sound.

It was the Howdy Boys, a blue grass country band that I had seen and sketched last year.

I am including that sketch also.

Sketching in Buenos Aires - no dim sum.

Hi! I've been trying to post for days but google has been letting me down. It looks like you had a wonderful Sketchcrawl day and I love seeing the results. I spent the day at a market also and am posting one from there and another view near Plaza de Mayo of Evita fame. My best to all, Peggy

Freemont Sketchcrawl

Beautiful morning - I want to learn how to better capture the brightness.
I was captivated by the green awnings and red trusses.

After the crawl we stopped at the Red Door pub and enjoyed the almost summer-like warmth.

A bit later we swung by Molly Moons in Wallingford.
The long lines are conducive to more sketching. Why not?

cupcake heaven

A great day sketching at Wallingford Center! About 25 of us came out, not everyone could stay long enough to be in the picture! Fun to see the group's sketches of people, clothing, hats, signs, windows, architecture, cupcakes! Hope to see them up here soon!
Here is my tastiest sketch of the day, chocolate/graham cracker cupcakes with roasted marshmallow frosting.

December Crawl - Elliot Bay Bookstore

Up a half level, turn right down a dark isle lined with tall bookshelves that is only passable one patron at a time to a final set of stairs to the bargain loft. It sits high enough to be twenty degrees warmer, which, when you are winterized like the little brother in 'A Christmas Story' is a bad thing.....My whole family will miss this place, it was an oasis, a place to sit, relax and recharge on visits to the city.

Pioneer Square: what used to be here and will have been here

Another wonderful day with sketchers, new faces and familiar, and wonderful sketchbooks to admire. This was a great place; we could have spent the whole day since there were distractions (cafe, books) as well as lots to draw. We even drew outside, as the weather gave us a break! Here is my sketch at First and Washington, a block north of the bookstore: my first attempt at using gouache. Hmmm... I liked the fading painted signs on this brick building which, I guess, was a factory for Paul Bunyon and Driftwood Sportswear. Now it sells carpets and other delicacies.

KPLU Story on Volunteer Park Sketchcrawl

Congratulations to Gabi and the Seattle Sketchers! I searched & found the link for the KPLU story for the Volunteer Sketchcrawl on-line... there is a written version plus a little bar top left to click on where you can hear the story too. Very cool, they have several of the sketches posted too!!!

Volunteer Park Crawl Sketch

Finally getting around to posting this sketch. If I my hands ever thaw from this last crawl, I'll have to join everyone next time around!

Quick sketches from Volunteer Park crawl

I'm finally getting around to uploading my bounty of sketches from the sketchcrawl. I always tell myself to spend more time with one drawing at least, but I don't have the patience and end up with a bunch of quick ones.