Oakway Mall Courtyard, Eugene, OR

It was predicted to rain so at first the sketching was cancelled, and then Peggy sent out a message that she was going to Oakway Mall to sketch, come on over! So the ever flexible sketchers followed along.

   The kind waiter from Johnny Ocean offered to take a photo of all of us – Laura, Sandy, Hugh, Marsha, Barb Sh, Jane, Peggy; Jane, Barb Sh, Laura, Hugh Sandy, Marsha (Peggy got cut off in the last photo).

      Jane’s careful planning went awry (all calligraphers can empathize, see photo #2). She had to be inventive to “fix” it! Fun sketch anyway.

   Barb’s ongoing sketch journal of her life got something to add to the hand on her page – acorn caps! Come back to see more story added.

      It’s so interesting to see how Laura’s tree sketch evolved, complete with color and closeup of one of the leaves around us in abundance.

   Sandy chose the always popular “sketch the sketchers!” She’s really getting skilled at catching the gestural study of us all.

   Hugh is always being innovative – white & black ink on gray paper. He and Sandy have such fun sketching together – nice sketches!

      Marsha enjoys sketching people, too –  captive models at lunch were perfect for the event, & leaf sketches added to the ambience.

      Peggy chose the biggest tree in the courtyard, wondering aloud how she could represent the moss and licorice ferns – more ink to come.

   Then look who showed up and did a demo of using Conte crayon – Ken! We all gathered around to see what he was doing. Wow.

Norma Pfeiffer Park, Coburg, OR

Yes, is was cold at the park. We were all bundled up, but none of us stayed there the whole allotted time! Where’s coffee & heat!

      Guess you’ll have to take my word for it that this is Katie. She did the frame, sketched a song and house, painted the flag & went home!

       Daisy standing; Peggy sitting, deciding she needed a spot of red, so the white lantern across the way transformed. She used glitter pens.

      Daisy was in the bright winter light sketching people, then got intrigued with the maple seed “wings” and had fun with them.

      Jane took on the whole scene across the street – challenging architecture, and every blade of grass. When will she learn.

       Laura turned the other way and focused on a pine tree – it’s not exact,  but “as inspired by!”  Ink, water brush on colored pencil.

      Tricia was looking at a different tree scene. The chilly weather didn’t keep her from loose watercolor sketching – what fun!

   Look who stopped by for show & tell! Sandy & Hugh! Sweet.

   Here’s the people sketch Daisy did of us, & Jane’s with watercolor.

      And here are the nearly finished sketches by Laura, Peggy, & Tricia.

After which we unanimously decided to move the time for our outside sketching meetings to afternoons, in hope for warmth!

Norma Pfeiffer Park, Coburg, OR

Nearly all of us under shelter – Peggy, Laura, Jim, Sandy, Hugh, Marsha.  Jane, Daisy, & Barb Sh were about, too. Chilly but not wet.

      Barb Sh was gettin up close & personal with one of the pine trees. Just look at the texture she got in the trunk & limbs!

      The shining balloons tied to a swing caught Daisy’s eye, and when she finished that she took on a colorful cluster of leaves in a bush.

      Hugh was trying to catch autumn leaf colors, too, but what’s he got? A water brush with a smudge stick? Wonderful for blending, he says.

      Jane’s love of botany came out today – she used water soluble ink, and it gave the sketch a colorful lift when she wet it with a brush.

      Jim was remembering the Saginaw Vineyard where he had an art show. Think he’s pleased with his sketch? He ought to be!

      Here’s what caught Laura’s eye across the street about the ornate house – no water on the crayons, just layers of color make it pop.

      Peggy was looking the same direction, but the starting sketch of the house disappeared all together in her fascination with the trees!

      Marsha was looking the opposite direction – park benches & autumn colors, with an up close view of the maple leaf.  Charming.

      Sandy is getting quite accomplished at people sketches – here Laura and Peggy. She used water on her watercolor pencils – painterly!

Our masked show & tell – Marsha, Laura, Jim, Hugh, Daisy, Barb Sh.

Peggy, Jim, Sandy, Marsha, Daisy, Laura, Barb Sh, Hugh.  Must remember to bring fingerless gloves next time we’re out!

Oakway Mall Courtyard, Eugene, OR

Tucked away under the overhang: Peggy, Jim, Marsha, & Ken. Jane was doing camera work, her sketchbook lower right.

      Here’s where Jim left off last week, and here he goes with water color! It’s such a warm lively sketch, makes you want to be there!

      Jane got intrigued by the tower construction, & since she was using water-soluble ink, she just couldn’t leave well enough alone.

      Peggy’s eye was caught by the gnarly tree and surrounds, which she captured completely in ink (as is fitting for “Inktober”).

      Ken’s so resourceful – here he uses a paper towel for an ink brush sketch of one of the oak trees. It absorbs ink fast, so he moved fast!

      Marsha started sketching the masked sketchers, then really had fun putting little vignettes of context on the pages, too. Take a look!

Oakway Mall Courtyard, Eugene, OR

   Masked and spread out – Laura, Daisy, Marsha, Peggy, Jim.  Another view: Marsha, Peggy, Daisy, Sandy, Jim, Hugh, Penny, Laura.

And yet another view of the crew, starting upper left: Daisy, Hugh, Laura, Jim, Penny, Sandy, Marsha, Peggy.

     Helga joined us later, but got in a sketch of the courtyard structure – nice perspective! So glad to have you back with us.

     Jane was there, too, focused first on free floating images. She was using water soluble Elegant Writer pen & watercolor.

     Jim caught the scene at a slightly different angle, with his usual ink precision. Watercolor is no doubt coming soon – stay tuned!

      Penny wasn’t too sure she still knew how to sketch, but gamely began and look at the finished product! Yep, she’s still got it!

    There were lots of large pots & plants to draw, and Marsha used her colored pencils to good effect capturing the turning autumn leaves.

      Peggy picked the pot & tree, too, & kept saying she was trying to get looser. Hmm, maybe try watercolor first and ink last? Still nice.

      Laura sketched a potted tree & flowers, too, first with an underdrawing, then watercolor, and then a soft brown ink pen.

      Daisy saw an entirely different tree & had fun defining it with water soluble colored pencils. Then on to the Black-eyed Susan.

      Hugh sketched both of the trees in pots, first in ink, then water soluble crayons, and then water brush. The yellow wall makes it pop!

    Sandy was the only one to do people! Laura, then the pot & tree with Daisy beyond. She also used water soluble crayons. Very sweet!

It was nice to have the long bench for our show & tell. We’ll be back.