Another exercise assignment from Sketchbook Skool: without looking at the page, put pen to paper and sketch a portrait. I used a photograph of myself with David for this blind contour exercise and sketched us individually. The results were pretty funny.
If you’ve ever seen Harry Nielsen’s The Point, David might remind you of the evil Count. Onward. . .
I have been wanting to get a closer look at Portland’s newest bridge, Tilikum Crossing. The bridge is devoted to commuter traffic only: streetcar, train, bus, pedestrians and cyclists welcome. On the way to my destination I was passing the Blick store so I took the opportunity to stop by and pick up a couple supplies Lapin, my current instructor, has in his portable sketching kit: Sakura Gelly Roll #08 in white, yellow ochre water color paint and a Copic multi-point marker, #3 cool gray.
Lapin uses the white Gelly Roll pen to add highlights when he’s completely done with a sketch/watercolor page. His results are impressive.
I took the streetcar and snagged the only inside table left at Flying Elephant Deli. The weather was overcast and grey with intermittent showers. Here was my view from inside:
Not ideal, but with a bit of leaning this way and that, I managed to get a reasonable sketch.
I used the new Copic marker on the bridge and pole. A side benefit to this excursion was the yummy tea I had — so good that I brought a box of it home. I’ll be enjoying this tea again soon, remembering the fun I had discovering it.
Don’t you love the box? A real keeper. The company has been here in Portland since 1949 — in fact, just a few blocks from where I live. And that darling little flying elephant, in addition to being the logo for the deli, is a temporary tattoo — indeed, we’re not in Kansas City anymore. The children who come in love it; I was charmed and couldn’t resist bringing it home.
It’s fun being a tourist in my new home town. When was the last time you were a tourist in yours?
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