Sketch of Helvetia in Basel, CH

I did this sketch today. It's a well known statue in the center of Basel located on the "Middle Bridge" that crosses the Rhein river.
This is a statue of Helvetia - the mother of Switzerland. The plaque says she is resting here after a long journey around her country. She laid down her spear, coat, and suitcase. If you could see the front of her, you would see that she has her right leg folded up and her right arm is resting on her knee. You can just see her right hand holding her head! It must have been a long tiring journey.
I enjoyed including the very black raven that landed on her head for several minutes.

Urban Sketchers

I was very honored this week to be "featured" on the banner of www.urbansketchers.com. This is a blog that features the work of various sketchers that sketch scenes on site from around the world. Cool. There is a never ending supply of inspiration on this site.

Sketch from the balcony

Today was a holiday in Germany. That meant today was a good day to do quick little sketch. I did this sitting on our balcony looking at the golf course in the distance. That's the 17th green on the left and the 18th fairway on the right. And yes, that's a pretty good hill over there. Markgraeflerland GolfClub Kandern e.V.


That's the clubhouse just above my head. So close, and yet SO far. Most of the members are wealthy Swiss golfers.

Heidelberg Sketch.

I was in Heidelberg this morning (16.05.09) and had time to do a sketch. I was in town to attend a meeting yesterday and had some free time this morning.

This is a shot of my sketchbook at the spot where I did my pencil drawing. First I did a quick sketch in pencil (see below) and then I darkened it with my pen. I did most of the penwork at the train station while waiting for the train home.

Close up of my pencil work. It was fun to stand on the bridge and draw. Several people sneak up and take a look over my shoulder. Lots of tourist in town today. Americans and Japanese.

Faces in the Crowd

Each of these faces were above doors and windows on an old building at University of Heidelberg - Germany. Amazing faces.






Is that a Nilla Waffer in this old guy's mouth?

It's in here somewhere...

Bikes outside the train station. Wow!! How many bikes do you think this is? How would you like to find yours in this tangle? Click on the picture to see what I mean.

The Calm

Sandee and I went in to Basel early this morning (8:00am) for breakfast. As we sat, sipped, and talked, I sketched what I saw out the window of the coffee shop.
The city was just waking up. In just a couple of hours this corner would be jammed with shoppers. That's why I called this "The Calm".
Can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning after a full week of heavy meetings.
My favorite part of this sketch is the tram wires overhead. I like details like that.

Jan Hus - Old City Square

This was fun to draw. I was trying to capture the imposing statue of Jan Hus in the middle of the bustling Old City Square of Prague.


Jan Hus, the reformer, was burn at the stake for his faith. The city of Prague honors him with a very prominent statue in the heart of their city.

A conference doodle

This sketch was done at a conference held at the Marriott in Prague. Readers of this blog will know that I like to doodle during meetings. It seriously helps me to concentrate on the speaker. I listen better.
I kinda liked this doodle on the hotel notepad. This is a sketch of the church towers in the Old City Square in Prague (from memory).

Sketching in Prague, CZ

It was an amazing warm day in the center of Prague. Perfect for sketching. I was trying to capture the imposing statue of Jan Hus (the reformer who was burned at the stake for his faith) in the center of the Old Town Square.


Can you see the Hus statue in the center?