Category Archives: architecture

VSW: Koh Chang Buddha

One of Aniko’s images posted for the Facebook Virtual Sketchwalk, Of course I had to do this lovely Buddha-in-the-Trees (my naming). An ink-painting, with just a touch of watercolor in the greens. ☾ Hahnemühle Watercolour Journal, Pentel Aquash waterbrushes with … Continue reading

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VSW: Koh Chang Buddha, 2

Another of the lovely images posted for the Facebook Virtual Sketchwalk, a lovely HUGE Golden Buddha, image shown above tilted as one might have seen it when looking UP! This one I decided to do over shellac, which changes the … Continue reading

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Making Shellac

Top row, three pieces of artwork with shellac and watercolor or ink! Food grade shellac has been used in past for various foods such as the M&M’s above to keep them from melting (“Melts in your mouth, not in your … Continue reading

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VSW: Washington Irving’s Home NY

Virtual Sketchwalk group on FaceBook went to upstate New York to paint Washington Irving’s home (the author of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.) From scribbles to watercolor, the finished product didn’t please me; I like the scribbled version better. I … Continue reading

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VSW: Disaster Sketching the Lyndhurst Mansion

I wanted to tackle this image from our Virtual Sketchwalk group on FaceBook. This is a lesson in positive critique… I want to paint the light. I’m a novice. Nothing wrong with being a novice… But dang how to paint … Continue reading

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VSW: Montpellier Carousel

Debi posted this just for me! A carousel in Montpellier, France, from our Virtual Sketchwalk group on FaceBook, All glitter and bright colors and oh wow! Started with a line drawing, fairly fast sketch. Decided to show it with a … Continue reading

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VSW: IM Pei, Louvre, France

This was sketched quickly in waterproof inks. A lot of controversy surrounded the Pyramid in front of the Louvre, by I.M.Pei. I have some of those trepidations myself, but it has grown on me. It was created to allow for … Continue reading

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VSW: Corbusier in Ronchamp, France

Had to do one Corbusier, and what a history this architect has with me. This is the Catholic Chapel in Ronchamp, France. Drawing this brought up so many negative memories… maybe I can begin to clear them out by getting … Continue reading

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Street Scene

I wish I knew where I obtained this image… I know it is a friend’s but I just don’t know whose! Bad on me for not labeling! Direct watercolor, done quickly. ☾ To hear about classes, follow me on Instagram, … Continue reading

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USk: NW Portland USPS

The USPS moved our office which was in the Alphabet District to another location. It is not a safe location, as it is deserted and is surrounded by homeless people (not that they are all dangerous, but they attract nutcases … Continue reading

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VSW: Berlin, 2, Direct Watercolor

As a lover of inky lines, the class in direct watercolor changed me. I LOVED creating this very fast watercolor by diving in, no planning. I wish I had a bit more foresight about placement, (the image was crowded to … Continue reading

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Remembering 9-11

I created this last year on 9-11. Just couldn’t post it, don’t know why. Now, maybe, with the state of the world it is time. This was a frightening day for us. At the time there was no facebook, no … Continue reading

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VSW: Quibao

Virtual Sketchwalk (group on Facebook) from our Shanghai walk, led by Aniko; this is from the town of Quibao. I had the flu when doing these and made mistakes, oh well, and one of them is I put Aliska on … Continue reading

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Taking Classes

I enjoy taking classes — the camaraderie, and also, even if I know a lot about the subject, I always learn something. This was a class by Pat Southern Pearce, called Paperbag Blossoms.  Pat often sketches on toned paper; that … Continue reading

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Summer’s End

For me, the end of summer shows itself when our local peaches are gone. We just took delivery on three dozen yellow peaches and so, summer is over. White peaches are earlier, lovely and fleeting. Yellow peaches are in for … Continue reading

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VSW: Luis Barragán, 2

Second installment in the series on my favorite architect, Barragán. To see the first installment, go here. Casa Barragán, above and below. In reality Opera Pink is not quite the right pink but it it the brightest pink I own … Continue reading

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VSW: Luis Barragán, 1

I used line, and diluted waterproof inks, with watercolors on top for Casa Golardi, above. I went to USC’s School of Architecture at a time when the school was run by the new dean, Quincy Jones.  The school was populated … Continue reading

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Thinking, Thinking… One

My sketchbooks are not just for trying to turn out great sketches… Okay, some of that goes on…  I want a nice flip-through on a journal.  But also, experimentation that rarely gets seen by anyone but Mitchell because I may … Continue reading

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