Concert in Venice Sketch 09

This was a fun sketch to do. I liked the fact that the musicians are off to the side making in this drawing given it an unusual perspective. The concert itself was simply amazing.

This is a shot of the hall just before the musicians came out.

Ostia Antica Sketch 09

We visited Ostia Antica, the ancient port city for Rome. Ostia Antica was basically abandoned due to disease and the fact that the silt filled the harbor.

Because this drawing is a two-pager I couldn't scan the full length. Here's a picture of it.

Sitting here and drawing this scene was pure pleasure. The day was very warm, but the breeze made up for it.

Here's the right side of the drawing.

Here's the left side of the sketch.

Rialto Bridge Sketch

Venice is an incredible place to visit. I never tire of it. We brought the seniors here and told them to go explore. They did. I found a quiet spot where I could sketch the Rialto Bridge.

If you look closely that's me in the standing between red and green awning making my sketch. If you click on the picture you will see two waiters looking at my sketch.

This is a great shot of the waiter checking out my sketch. He was very kind and excited about what I was doing. He kept saying, "Complimentioso!"

Beach Day Sketch

Those are my birkenstocks.

Trevi Fountain Sketch

Sketching the Trevi Fountain is a challenge when you are sitting there. There is just SO much stuff in that space. I enjoyed trying to draw falling water. I think this sorta works. I didn't draw people into this sketch - as usual there were hundreds of people standing around the water's edge.

Pantheon Sketch

This is my favorite sketch of all my Rome sketches. I guess I like the straight lines and shadows. This was really fun to draw.

I always like to find a different spot to sketch things - a different point of view. After worked on this sketch I walked to the right of the Pantheon and noticed another guy sketching the same building. He had the same exact sketchbook that I had, so we shared our drawings with each other. That was cool.

Beach Service Sketch

On Sunday of the senior trip, we had a worship service on the beach. That was very special. The kids lead the singing and one of them spoke. It was very good. I did this quick sketch while they met.

Wouldn't you want to sketch on the beach?

Vatican Sketch 09

Last week we were in Rome with the Class of 2010. I took the opportunity to make some sketches. This was a fast one done sitting in front of St. Peter's Basilica.

Here's a picture of me sketching. Please pardon's Sandee purse by feet - it's not mine!

Duomo Drawing

Did this drawing in the last few days. Trying to combine pen, ink, and watercolor. This was done from a photo I took this summer. This particular view was interesting to me for two reasons: the incredible detail on a section of the roof (a spot that few people would ever see) and the fact that the various buttresses were not absolutely consistent. Surprising.

Duomo in Florence, Italy

We were in Florence the other day with the senior class on their class trip. When you are in Italy you can't help but feel like drawing. So that's what I did. This Duomo, (domed Cathedral) is quite beautiful. Michaelangelo designed this dome.

This sketch is done in pencil. I usually draw using a fine tipped pen. This time I used pencil thinking that I might do some watercolor later. I found that I enjoyed working with pencil. It's easy to add tone and make quick adjustments. I might do more.
This was done in my new Moleskine watercolor sketchbook. Nice paper.

Sunday Sketch

This sketch was done last Sunday, October 5 (oops, I wrote Sept on the sketch). This is a sketch of the worship service that the seniors lead during their class trip to Rome. The music was great, the speaker, one of the students, was also very good. Naturally, the view was really cool too. There were approximately 90 of us.

Sketches from Venice

We just got back from Italy with our senior class - 79 students. Here are a couple of quick sketches I did last night at a concert all of us attended. The concert featured Vivaldi's Four Seasons. It was amazing. The sketch below had to be fast so I was unable to include the other six members of the string ensemble called, "Interpreti Veneziani". This view was drawn from my seat on the front row to the extreme left of the stage. These guys are amazing, see the one minute video we took below for a sample.

This little sketch was also done during the concert. Interpreti Veneziana holds there concerts in a former church. There are several statues in various spots inside. This particular sculpture was interesting because it featured a vail over the woman's face. How is it possible to depict a vail in stone? Well, the artist did it quite nicely. Thanks Ginny for inspiring me to do some sketches. The paper you gave me was just what I needed.

Venazza, Italy

This was a quick sketch that I did one quiet morning on holiday in Vernazza, Italy. I don't usually do "live" sketches. Normally, I take a picture with my camera, print up a print for myself, and then make the drawing. I had extra time with this sketch and so I thought I would try to do it right there.

This is a reminder that all of us need to find time to be quiet and look to make God-memories. I loved sitting there in the cool morning air, listening to the little waves lapping along the rocks, and enjoying the deep sound of the church bells in the village. Sketching is a very relaxing activity - God meets you there.