Too Good to Miss

Last year Dad and I attended Jim Toogood's two day watercolor workshop at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. It was a great two days and I learned a lot. So when the opportunity presented itself for me to attend with my Dad again this year, I jumped at the chance. This weekend Dad and I will be in Philadelphia learning from Jim's demos and harassing each other during painting time. Since we are also celebrating Dad's birthday (a little early), I might even spring for lunch one day.

When I get back home and to my computer, I'll come give you my review of the workshop. But right now I have to rush off and do a line drawing so I have something to paint tomorrow.

The sketch on the left was completed the same day as my bar lights sketch. I did this one sitting in the car in the Steel Ice Center parking lot which is on the old Bethlehem Steel property. The street light is new, but fits right in with the character of the old buildings. That's why I like it.

This is my favorite of the two sketches from that day because I like the highlights caused by the late afternoon sun. Unfortunately, I didn't notice that the bottom ellipse got away from me during the shading process until I saw the scan on the computer screen. Since sketching for me is all about practice (versus finished works), I left the wonky ellipse. It will remind me to recheck my shapes several times during the sketching process.

graphite sketch of street light in large moleskine