January 29, 2012

The Finished Sketchbook Project

 The Sketchbook Project. Theme: "Uncharted Waters"




Cover 
P1

P.2 - P.3

P.4 - P.5

p.6 - p.7

p.8 - p.9

p.10 - p.11

p.12 - p.13

p.14 - p.15

p.16 - p.17

p.18 - p.19

p.20 - p.21

p.22 - p.23

p.24 - p.25

p.26 - p.27

p.28 - .29
p.30 - p.31

p.32

Sketching at McSorley's Old Ale House

Spent an evening doing some pub sketching with friends at McSorley's. If you havent heard of Mcsorley's before it is the oldest 'legit irish pub in NYC'. Its cozy inside with a fire pit and crap load of pictures and other memorabilia on the walls showing the history of the bar. Here are a few of the drawings that came out that evening.



The lamps inside

a view looking into the bar

Mucho Ale

January 22, 2012

Empire State of Mind

Gouache on canvas panel. 5x7

It's been a while since i have last updated my blog. Coming home after an 11 hour work day doesn't really make it easy to come home and paint. Also managed to injure my right hand on friday so that was fun. So this is a painting i did of the Empire State Building! Why the Empire state building? Well long story short i have lived only a few blocks away from the giant piece of stone almost my whole life so it has grown on me. And well It does stick out like a sore thumb when viewed from anywhere in the city. (I aslo have a soft spot for architecture and skyscrapers as you might be able to tell). Painted it during the first snowfall of the year yesterday, and it went through a few revisions before it ended up where it is now. Gouache is an interesting medium. I Can see myself using it more in the future. 







January 07, 2012

Old Boats and 50 Degree Weather in NYC

Today was another one of those amazing warm days in NYC. Unfortunately it is January, and it should be 25 degrees outside not 60. I miss the snow. Anyway i spent today down at South Street Seaport. I had a really strong urge to draw old boats, and as far as i know, this is one of the only places in NYC to find them. Luckily for me they recently opened up a new pier down by the seaport and it is an amazing place to relax. Its an elevated platform with grass mounds where you can lay down.

It looked to me as though this place is still a secret in NYC because it was practically empty the whole time i was there. Every now and then someone would walk by and watch me draw, but it was welcome . I have found that if you're ever feeling down as an artist, it is a good idea to go into public and just draw. Practice your trade in the open where everyone can see. You are likely better than 99% of the people walking by.


Dont know the family but they spent a good portion watching me draw.
I set up camp, put away my ipod and just drew for a good 3 hours. Listening to the ambient sound of the city is relaxing. Each neighborhood has its own unique muffled soundtrack This is what came out.
My Favorite, Spent a good 1.5 hours on it. This one needs some studio time to finish though.  9"x9" 
A really fast sketch of the boats. Maybe 20 minutes max. 5"x7"

I spent the rest of the day walking around and taking pictures of everything that caught my eye. Enjoy!


 







Today was a good day.

January 02, 2012

A Stroll in the Slope



January 1st.. what a beautiful day, 50 degrees, a few clouds. Spent most of it roaming around Park Slope and Prospect Park to get to know the area a bit better, as well as find interesting architecture to draw. I was not disappointed. Found this Church on 6 Av and Carroll Street, which is a few blocks away from the Grand Army Plaza Arch (which i have to go back to draw soon).

After drawing this, which took a good hour or so (receiving compliments from little kids  and their parents about how awesome your drawing is and having them watch you for a while is something that will never get old) i headed over to the park where i spent it playing soccer, and climbing a tree to watch the sunset. Something that is hard to do in the skyscraper canyons of Manhattan.


i wish i was on the plane that left that contrail :(

Overall, i'd say this was a pretty nice way to start the year 2012