Well, Raena, I too hit the road! We took two days to drive from Miami, Florida to Richmond, Virginia. As we drove through Central Florida, I was able to sit back and sketch what I saw and then apply the watercolors. I tried out some new paper, Fabriano 140 lb. rough, which had a really nice texture and feel.
I was attracted to the shape of the electric posts and I thought, that's great, I will keep having new examples to draw. But after I drew the first one, the posts changed to an entirely different shape. Now, why on earth would that be? So I can complain all I want about people moving when I want to draw them, but this time it was me that was moving! Serves me right, I guess.
We stayed overnight the first evening in the beautiful city of Savannah, Georgia and had dinner at the Cotton Exchange Tavern & Restaurant. I had grouper stuffed with crabmeat; a baked potato; some vegetable or other; and a beer called Fat Tire Amber Ale, smooth and flavorful. So wonderful..Satiated, I pulled out my Lamy and my Moleskine, and sketched an unsuspecting target in a booth at the end of the room. The waitress loved the fact that I was sketching this poor gent and she approved the likeness. As a result, she got a big tip.
A few days later, we visited Monticello in Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's stately home. I had planned on sketching a few of the flowers that he had grown in his garden but it started to pour, and that was that. I only had time for a quick sketch of one. My wife took photos of some of the other flowers though, so I may complete this yet, though not in the way I had intended.And this is the as yet uncolored view from my hotel room in Savannah. Because of time constraints, this was also a pretty quick sketch. I think it kind of looks like the sort of drawing you would find in a coloring book - with good reason. Eventually I will apply the watercolors, and share the result with you. I took a photo so I could see the colors. Though not as good as painting from life, it will do as a handy substitute.
So now I'm home. Work has begun. School has begun. But it's not the end of the road, even if I do live at the beginning of I-95. Not by a mile.
.jpg)
Fun road trip. Super fun pictures!
ReplyDeleteWonderful sketches from a wonderful road trip. :) I would love to do the same, sketching while on the road but that's not quite possible because I will get motion sickness, and I think I'll be the all-time designated driver anyway when there's a road trip in the future. My future dad-in-law was already training me by putting me behind the wheels of his Chevy Avalanche truck when we're driving to New Orleans. I don't park his truck well enough to get his approval :) Can't blame me because his truck is gigantic!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I've been busy trying to sort out the paperwork I need to get done to make sure I'm able to move out smoothly and all. I'm coming on yourside of the ocean again in December ^^
AH! If you had only taken this trip at the beginning of August instead, we might have arranged to meet! I love what you've done here. Like Alex, drawing in the car isn't something I can do for long, or I begin turning green! I love the view out the window and can't wait to see that painted! And the power lines are well done!
ReplyDeleteI love your sketches, Dan. It is annoying the way things change just when you decide to draw them. Your hotel window drawing looks great - I'm looking forward to seeingit in color.
ReplyDeleteThese are really great sketches, Dan. I especially like the portrait of the unsuspecting model in the restaurant as well as your treatment of the background.
ReplyDeleteWell that road looks familiar. Central FL is sooo different from the east coast. The first time I drove through Clewiston and Belle Glade i thought I was in another country not just another state. I've never used a Lamy. I use the art pen and a disposable pilot fountain pen that I refill.
ReplyDeleteI like the lines in that bottom drawing. I hope you color and post it.
Grea sketches with nice linework..and they look great either as just line drawings or washed with watercolour1
ReplyDeleteRonell
Forgot to mention, regarding the drawing I did of the vehicles on the road: Notice the vehicle with detail is traveling in the same direction as I am while the one in the opposite direction is only approximated! Really you did a great job of vehicles going in the opposite direction since they're gone so fast! You must have an excellent visual memory!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I love the highway sketch! I, too, applaud your visual memory!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your very kind comments! :) Alex - seems like quite an adjustment -good luck with everything! Janey - it is the east coast, just north of where you are used to I think - east central FL along I-95. Raena and Barbara, I am so complemented that you think I am a genius but this is how it was done: I drew the front of one vehicle, the middle of another and the back of a third. Each is a Toyochevyford hybrid - surprised you didn't recognize it..
ReplyDeleteLove your sketches and writing...and love Fat Tire Amber Ale! I just discovered it, too, a few weeks ago at a friend's poker birthday party.
ReplyDelete