Monday, August 24, 2009

On the Road


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.

11 comments:

  1. Wonderful 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!
    Anyway, 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 ^^

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  2. 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!

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  3. I 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.

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  4. These 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.

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  5. Well 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.

    I like the lines in that bottom drawing. I hope you color and post it.

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  6. Grea sketches with nice linework..and they look great either as just line drawings or washed with watercolour1
    Ronell

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  7. 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!

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  8. Great post. I love the highway sketch! I, too, applaud your visual memory!

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  9. Thank 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..

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  10. Love 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.

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