Getting Ready...

In anticipation of teaching workshops, "Panorama in Light and Shade", I made lots of practice sketches--especially sketches that break down the process of seeing value and creating paths of light and shade across the page--easiest to do in quick thumbnails.  I bought some carpenter's pencils awhile back to experiment with--great because they practically force you to draw with bold strokes, and defy detail...so thought that would make a good workshop tool...

Sketching here at Barnsdall Park in
Los Angeles...

 ...and a few more at newly re-opened Echo Park...

Easiest to see values when working with one color, so next step was moving to watercolor washes--a good way to think shape and value, and notice the effects of atmosphere and distance on the landscape (aerial perspective!)...

 While I was thinking about panoramas, I also had to sketch interesting stories and details that suddenly appear...


I came to the conclusion that a good way to introduce color while maintaining a range of values is to think warm/cool.  I like a split-complementary palette...and look for the color I see in the atmosphere...

Urban Landscape

I enjoy drawing just about every aspect of the city, especially
the physical landscape--the land and trees as well as the people,
cars and the built environment that make up an
urban landscape.  Whether it's a bit of cultivated landscape,
like the Los Angeles Arboretum...

...the hills of Northeast Los Angeles at different times of day, or the landscape of a parking lots...I look for the passages of light and shadow...

I like the sometimes weird mash-up of signs, cars and buildings in Los Angeles, like this little
landmark on Hollywood Blvd., Machos Tacos...

I began thinking seriously about panoramic views  

in anticipation of teaching workshops...
what makes the eye move across the page, 

or draws the eye in...

A quick view of downtown Los Angeles at dusk, and views from Barnsdall Park, 

Griffith Observatory and the Santa Monica Pier...

Sketchcrawls...

Every few months or so, there's a Worldwide Sketchcrawl, and groups from all over the world venture out into their cities to sketch.  As a generally lone sketcher, I know I probably won't sketch in the same single-minded way I do on my own, but I so enjoy the camaraderie!

In January, we visited downtown Los Angeles--some favorite locations of mine, and some new surprises...like the annual temporary ice rink in Pershing Square!  And this is one of the great things about a Sketchcrawl...discovering (or rediscovering) something in your own home town...

 The ice rink surrounded by downtown buildings and palms...


and sketching over a Salvadoran lunch at an eating area next to the Grand Central Market...























I was so taken with the ice rink, that I had to come back the next day (last day "Downtown on Ice" for the season) to do a little more sketching...

For the 39th Worldwide Sketchcrawl, our usual leader and organizer, my fellow Urban Sketchers correspondent Shiho Nakaza planned a great day at the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival which featured the Creative Talent Network--since many of the group are in animation.  I admit to doing more chatting and perusing art and books than actual sketching...some quick sketches here...

...the stone horses that guard the entrance to P.F. Chang's China Bistro...

 ...a jazz band playing in front of a shopping center...

Cowboy John...a great character model posing for anyone who wanted to sketch...seated in front of the Bank of the West...

Spring...

...perhaps the very best time of year to visit the California desert--though I'm learning to appreciate every season in the Mojave, spring just has such lovely weather.  Our visit was during "spring break", and of course we weren't the only ones who chose that time to travel, especially into Joshua Tree National Park.

I'm lucky to have lots of passenger

sketching time in this expansive landscape...

...and driving through the Park...

Lots of time spent drawing in the Park on this visit--

I never get tired of these rocks!

Hidden Valley has become a favorite spot...a surprisingly lush mix of high desert plants and trees...and loads of rock climbers on those rocks.

 ...a view here of the outskirts of Twentynine Palms...a quiet life except for the sound of distant blasts coming from the Marine Base and a few errant off-road bikes!

   Then time to head back to the city...

...through small desert towns and the Morongo Valley...and back on Highway 10 and home.