While I was in NYC last week on business, I brought a simple pen and ink set. I draw using a fountain pen with Roting-Brown ink, and a watercolor brush with water to create the wash. I like to sketch people (for some reason, landscape less so). Parks are a good spot. People tend to sit a while, or even sleep, as one of my sketches show. There was also a parade that Monday (Columbus Day), so I was able to capture the crowd.
This woman was reading outside a restaurant, waiting for a table:
This guy fell asleep on a bench in Central Park:
Columbus Day Parade crowd:
Central Park trees:
Lastly, on the plane home, I drew small compositional studies based on reference photos on my iPhone:
That combination really lets you a range of values without getting too fiddly. I like the sketches, especially the composition studies!
Thanks for sharing! The washes help ad volume and atmosphere, don’t they!
I often skip that because I think only lines count when drawing. HA!
Hi Ed. Wonderful sketches- they have the freshness of catching the moment! As you know, I’m a landscape painter but in my “previous” life, I’d sketch people in court or meetings.
Deborah: I didn’t know you sketched poeple in court or meetings. Did you do that as a job? Sounds fun.
Mary & PainterWoman: yes, I can get a fairly good range of values: white (the paper), light gray, dark gray and near black with full ink. I think it’s plenty of values to try out different compositions.
These sketches are wonderful. So full of life, wonderful gesture. I love sketching with a pen. Thank you for sharing.