Recent sketches

Here are a few more of my recent sketches. I did this first one a couple days ago, in about half an hour, using a pen. I like using a pen because you can’t erase your mistakes, which makes me concentrate harder. As the saying goes, measure twice, draw once.

Geoff Watson, “Sketch of a living room,” pen on paper, 11” x 14,” 2020.

This next one I did a couple weeks ago, from life, at the Art Students League in New York. It was the last open-sketching session of the year, I think.

Geoff Watson, “Study of a nude,” ink on paper, about 6” x 8,” 2019.

And here’s a sketch from a couple weeks ago. About 10 or 15 minutes, from life. Nothing spectacular, but I like the diagonal construction lines that I inexplicably included.

Geoff Watson, “Sketch with construction lines,” ink on paper, about 6” x 8,” 2020.

And lastly, a sketch in oil paint, from today’s life class. Our instructor urged us to mass in shapes and worry less about contour lines and other niceties of precise drawing. My results were somewhat mixed, especially as I never got around to putting in the ear, but it was a good experiment. About 90 minutes.

Geoff Watson, “Unfinished sketch of Moe,” oil on linen panel, 11” x 14,” 2020.

Daily painting #87: Rehoboth sketches

Vacationing is trumping painting, but I still managed time to sketch a couple things, and I started a little oil study. First there was this scene, on the main street in Rehoboth. I drew this in about 10 minutes, while sitting in an outdoor table at a Mexican restaurant.

Geoff Watson, “Sketch of Rehoboth skyline,” ink on paper, about 2” x 3,” 2019.

I also started this little oil sketch of flowers at a swimming pool. Uh, I didn’t get to the flowers! So yeah, it needs work. We have one more day here, so maybe I’ll return to it tomorrow.

Geoff Watson, “Study in progress: Flowers at the swimming pool (with no flowers yet!),” oil on linen, 8” x 10,” 2019.

Just for grins, I wanted to see if I could recreate the mysterious filter I inadvertently added to my beach scene yesterday. Maybe?

Geoff Watson, “Study in progress: flowers at the pool, with no flowers yet,” oil on linen, 8” x 10,” 2019.

Bethesda sketches

I took my sketchbook, fountain pens, gouache and water brushes to Bethesda Row today to sketch for a couple hours. I did this first drawing mostly with water-soluble ink and water, though I did add a little background greenery in gouache.  I could have added much more detail everywhere, but I decided to leave it as is.

Geoff Watson, "Bethesda Row," ink wash and gouache on paper, about 5" x 8," 2018.

I then wandered over to the pedestrian mall across the street, which looks through an arch at the Apple store on Bethesda Avenue. I've always wanted to draw this arch! I drew the outlines with water-proof ink in a fountain pen with a fine nib, and I added color with gouache (opaque watercolor). Fun!

Geoff Watson, "Bethesda Pedestrian Mall," ink and gouache on paper, about 5" x 8," 2018.

Movie Star M

This is an ink-and-watch drawing of my beautiful daughter, but I added a little mascara and makeup to add even more glamour.  She looks like a movie star!

I used my Sailor fountain pen and a new Pentel waterbrush, in my small Pentalic watercolor sketchbook.  I think the drawing turned out pretty nicely, especially considering that you can't erase mistakes in ink.  :)  Anyway, a pretty drawing of a pretty girl.

Geoff Watson, "Movie Star M," ink and wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.

Commencement

Today my son graduated from The Catholic University of America at its 129th Commencement ceremony!  Because I'm on the faculty at Catholic, I had the honor of greeting my son on stage and handing him his diploma.  That was great!  

Also, the theme of the ceremony was remarkable.  It was about immigration, and about welcoming.  First the University awarded several honorary degrees to immigrants from Cuba, Syria, Pakistan, Italy, and Lebanon.  Then we heard from the main speaker, Archbishop Jose Gomez, who spoke movingly of immigration's role in American history and culture.  President John Garvey described a painting he hangs in his home that welcomes guests, and he urged graduates to welcome guests into their own lives.  And one of the closing speakers quoted Emma Lazarus: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."   

I brought my sketchbook but forgot a writing implement.  My new best friend from the Drama Department loaned me a pen, and I drew the sketch below with it.  I'm pleased with it, though I got hot and tired by the time I reached the right half of the page, and my vertical lines there wandered off in the wrong direction.  Still and all, the picture captures the essence of the thing.  Hats off to CUA for a great Commencement! 

Geoff Watson, "Catholic University Commencement, 2018," pen on paper, 5" x 8," 2018.