Cortesia Sanctuary, Eugene, OR

Just Jane & Tricia were able to go sketching together today, as the others were busy with commitments or travel. But we enjoyed it.

        Here are two of the little welcome statues that greet you when you explore the Cortesia Sanctuary grounds, Tricia’s pride & joy.

      When Jane mentioned she didn’t bring her brush pen, Tricia showed her a sketch she had done with one, & both agreed the line was very bold. Then Tricia said she’d decided to start using her fold-out book.

         Jane tried not to get overwhelmed with the place (& with her tools – she used her Lamy pen with water soluble ink, an Elegant Writer felt tip pen (water soluble) with watercolor, then her trusted Micron Pigma permanent ink pen, and watercolor on graphite outline).

       Tricia confessed that she’d avoided doing the fold-out sketchbook thinking she’d never finish it. Now she’s thinking she’ll do one for Spring & Summer at Cortesia, and another for Autumn & Winter!

Here are two new structures at Cortesia (courtesy of Tricia’s husband Forest) – an arbor into the garden, and a “tool shed” – really! It’s going to have a viewing platform on the top, too. Delightful.

Vero Espresso House, Eugene, OR

Here’s nearly all who were there in the sunny courtyard from the left around: Satoko, Joby, Sandy, Tricia, Barb Sh, Erik, & Joby’s Jim.

     Satoko takes a look at Joby’s sketchbook from her recent travels.

     In addition to her expressive sketches of people, Joby showed us her newest favorite sketching pen – from Czechoslovakia!

     At the other end of the table, Barb Sh spied a pot of flowers.

      Here are the lilies Jane saw, her hasty sketch, and a cleaned version.

    Erik sketched lilies, too, then shared a snack & chat with Jim (who regaled us with stories of his bike accidents! No more, Jim.)

   Sandy started out with a lily, too, then on to Erik’s apple pie – yum.

       Barb So stopped by for a few moments, and shared her latest sketch.

   Tricia had to take the low chair, and it’s good she typically sketches in her lap! Here’s her view across the courtyard at Vero.

   Satoko got in some sketch time, too – a pen & ink view of Barb Sh and the people on the deck behind her.

Vero Espresso House, Eugene, OR

   We enjoyed gathering under the umbrellas (although there was neither rain nor sun) to sketch at Vero. From the left: Sandy, Erik, Jan, & Penny. Next photo: Ken, Penelope, Erik. (You can see Jane’s preliminary composite sketch in the middle of the table.)

   Here’s how Jane’s quick composite sketch evolved. She claims the secret is in not taking anything too seriously! (She also swears she will never purchase another 70 lb. paper sketchbook – too flimsy.)

    Barb So came, too – here are her updates on prior sketches – sweet!

     Then Barb showed her trick for doing straight lines, while Penelope pondered how to get fireworks to show up on her prior sketch.

   Ken & Erik a long time sketching pals – look at Erik’s rich colors!

   Ken chose to sketch what was in front of him, of course – Erik, and a strikingly colored petunia.

     Sandy started sketching the guy over Erik’s shoulder, who then put on his hat and left mid-sketch! So she sketched Erik instead. Too.

    Penelope didn’t waste any sketch time – first a quick pencil guideline, then into watercolor, and on to capturing that elusive bluejay. Yay!

Owen Rose Garden, Eugene, OR

            It certainly started out with roses! Even the gazebo had them.

      Barb Sh immediately started adding the old fashioned roses to her page with the bird over the stenciled feathers – perfect! Will the rest of the group sketch roses, too???

        Penny McAvoy, new to the TDs, sat next to Erik, and got right into it. When Erik revealed his sketches he’d tried water on the background of the flowers (new for him!), and then got into another foggy scene.

        While Penny is new to our group, she dove right in, sketching that challenging gazebo (ack! those angles!), and a joyous cardoon.

         Jane sketched the cardoon and tried the gazebo roof angles, too.

                 Barb So stopped by to share her sketch of her neighbor’s hydrangeas, and Penelope a sketch of the recent Olympic Trials.

       Then Penelope started sketching… what… ink.. and watercolor washes… keep coming back, it’s going to be last night’s fireworks!

So, roses not so much. But we had a great day sketching together.

New Day Bakery/World Cafe, Eugene, OR

After waiting for sun, here we are in the shade! (Predicted: 82º) Tricia, BarbSh, Sandy, Penelope, and Jane behind the camera.

         Barb’s daughter Manda Severin is the artist for The Meriwethers (who do a singing act about Lewis & Clarke) – here’s the latest song book she’s put together, which Tricia (being a Clarke descendant) also appreciates. Sorry about the shade making pages seem blue.

      Jane got right into sketching the day lily Sandy brought for inspiration. She’s now in sketchbook #32b; sketching since 2006.

      Sandy was excited to finish this sketchbook (sketchbook #42, since 2008), and had fun doing multiple sketches of the day lily.

        Barb’s sketches slowly emerge from the one before (so she’s “just” on sketchbook #22, started in 2010) – this page was a feather stencil, watercolor grains sprinkled then spritzed, and now a bird sketch.

Penelope joined us, ready to work on her sketch from the Solstice.

      First a light sketch of trees, a light wash, then bring on the color! She’s on sketchbook #42, began sketching in 1968.

Tricia’s sketchbook pages typically evolve over time, too – these vignettes are from today. Who knows how many sketchbooks she’s filled? She doesn’t know! She says she started sketching in 1997.

I’d say Sandy wins for sheer volume/time, but our beloved leader, Ken O’Connell is on sketchbook #87. Or #88. Or…