Watercolor added to the Basel Cathedral

I wanted to add some watercolor to this sketch - see the previous version below. I think it helps to give the sketch some character and feeling. 

Basel Muenster Sketch

This was a special day for me. I had just lead a tour of the cathedral earlier this day to 20-some ICEC delegates. It was so great to be back in Switzerland. Bow unstrung. 

Finally a sketch of Erasmus' Burial site.

I started this sketch back in May and finally finished it today. When we used to live in this part of the world I would go to the Basel Muenster and without fail I would take a few moment and go "visit" Erasmus. Finally, I got around to making a sketch of this favorite spot.

Here is my favorite Erasmus' quote:
"To be a schoolmaster is next to being a king. Do you count it lowly employment to imbue the minds of the young with the things of Christ and the best of literature and return them to their homes honest and virtuous persons? In the opinion of fools, it is a humble task; but in fact, it is the noblest of occupations." - Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536). 

If you are interested you can see other sketches from Basel by clicking the Basel link in the right column of my blog.

Sketching in Basel, Switzerland along the Rhein

It was awesome to spend some time along the Rhein this week and make another travel sketch. Of course, we used to live here before we moved to Colorado - so this is not the first time I have sketched this spot. We hold many wonderful memories from this city and from this very spot.

It was fun to add in the backhoe into this sketch - it adds a little quirky element.

Sketching in Basel, Switzerland

 This week we were in Europe - back near our old home in Kandern, Germany. While  there we had a chance to visit Basel, Switzerland again. Had to try sketching at Barfusserplatz. What a great spot to sit and unstring the bow.

Psalm 91:13

If you've been around me, you know how much I love the Basel Muenster. I was there again the other day. There are so many meaningful messages to be found in and around this cathedral. Here is one of my favorites.

In the King James Bible Psalm 91:13 says, "Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet."

Inside this cathedral there is a way you can fulfill this very scripture....check it out.

(I didn't take this first photo.)

Notice the glass plate in the floor there? It is located very near the front area of the church - near the raised pulpit. Let's take a closer look.

Under the glass is a very old stone (part of the original cathedral floor) with a "dragon" painted on it. It is here in the floor to serve as an illustration of Psalm 91:13 - that Christ followers would indeed trample dragons under their feet. That's my foot in the photo trampling on the dragon. I think this is really cool. Everytime I go there I try and trample on the dragon before leaving the church.

Rhein River - Basel Switzerland

It was a very hot day in July 2010 when I made this sketch.

The best part was seeing the Harrop family go swimming by while I sketched. They all waved and yelled at me from the river.

Sketching in the hospital

Keeping my bad arm elevated

the view of my bed and out my window

the view out the window

A sketch at the coffee shop

Sandee and I went to a coffee shop (a well known coffee shop that starts with "Star...") in Basel after church. We had a nice time sipping our drinks, talking, and reading books. I finally got out my sketchbook and drew the two friends talking to each other across the room.

Sketch at the Stuecki Mall, Basel

What a nice start to the day: a double tall late with Sandee, followed by a quick sketch from the overflow seating area at Starbucks.

Making a sketch is a perfect way to unstring the bow. Very much needed right now.

Herbst Messe 09 sketch

I enjoyed doing this sketch on site. It's a challenge to draw when it's so chilly, but it was fun to visit with friends who came up to see what I was doing.

That's the bumper car ride on the left. It was very crowded with students and staff of Black Forest Academy. All of us had a blast. I took a break from sketching to go take a ride myself. It's so funny to see the pleasure students find in hunting me down with their bumper cars.

a very quick sketch in Basel

It was a beautiful day in Basel today. I had about 30 minutes to sketch this picture today. I had a few moments before picking up Sandee at the train station, and it was such a beautiful day that I had to make a quick sketch below this bridge. When I got home I took another 30 minutes to darker the picture.

Man, it's been so long since I've drawn anything. It's feels good to draw again. It feels better to have Sandee home today.

Swiss Worship

Old Swiss Lady at worship service Basel Munster. 16 August 2009.

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.

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.

April 8 Sketches

This was a drawing done at the Marktplatz in Basel, Switzerland. Everyday they have a market (foreground) in front of the Rathaus (background). It's great. The Rathaus itself is a stunning building. You gotta see it in real life. Click. I loved the long flags hanging from the building waving in the breeze.

Sandee took a picture of me sketching by the tram tracks. It's funny how people try to get near you and take a peek at what you're drawing. The Rathaus is just to right of this picture.

Later, after the above, I walked to the Muenster and sketched the back side of cathedral. Again, people try and get close to see what I'm drawing. I'm kinda shy about having strangers look at my drawings especially before I'm done.

Full page from my Moleskine sketchbook.

Erasmus Haus in Basel

Today I found the "Erasmushaus" in Basel. As the sign says, Mr. Hieronymus Froben Eramus von Rotterdam lived here as a guest from 1535 to 1536 spending his last days in this house. Erasmus was a great Theologian and Christian educator. I've written and quoted Erasmus in the past. Click here to learn more about Erasmus.

Erasmus lived here...

Sunday Sketch 29.03.09

Went to the Basel Cathedral again for service. I'm always quite taken with the towering pulpit (if that's what you call it). It in itself is quite an artful masterpiece made completely from red sandstone.
Today as the pastor spoke I counted up to 4 seconds after his last word was spoken before the echo of his voice stopped booming around the cathedral walls. The whole experience is always very moving.
This is the beginning of the Passion week. Even though I only caught about half of his German words, he presentation was full of the correct emotion leading up to the death of Christ on the cross.

After the service I sat in Starbucks and finished my cathedral sketch and added this little one below. The cappuccino, like the church service, was inspirational. I also enjoyed reading several more chapters in "What's so Great about Christianity". It's a very good book. I recommend it.

My pencil serves as a divider between these two disparate drawings.

Basel Munster Sketch

Attended the Gottesdienst (Sunday worship service) this morning at the Basel Munster. I made some random sketches during the service (tried to be very discreet). Obviously, I could only draw the backs of heads. It's interesting what you can tell from a slumped shoulder or an alert and upright head.

Some observations from the service. 1) Cathedrals are cold! Everyone keeps their winter coats on. 2) No one (or very few) carries their Bible. 3) The seats are very HARD and straight! So, the service was mercifully short - one hour. 4) The chair backs are all unique! Cool patterns. 5) The sounds are fabulous - the deep church bells, the organ, the Pastor's echoing voice, the singing. 6) The Pastor's white collar is extremely WHITE! I wonder who does his laundry and what keeps it so bright?

Basel Munster Sketch

I started this sketch yesterday - standing in the Basel Munsterhof. If you are familiar with this spot (some of you are), the Munster (cathedral) is just to the right of this drawing.
I finished this drawing from memory at home where it was warm.