Looking for Inspiration Near the Water

My newest sketch subject was found at the Paradise Cove Marina, Sequoyah State Park in Wagoner , Oklahoma the day after Fourth of July.

What struck me about the scene was the contrast, deep shadows of a sunny day against the white boat; and I have a soft spot for sailboats in particular having spent some time on one growing up in Florida.

This is the next to last page in the Stillman and Birn Zeta sketchbook. I really like this smooth paper for a combination of pen and watercolor. The smooth texture allows me to control the surface with the brush strokes when painting and really shows off the cross hatching too. I may have to pick up another of these sketchbooks just for this technique!

I don't have a drawing only for this one because I tried something different this time. I started with painting first, basically painting around my subject and then added the drawing after. I was a little off on my shape but was able to go back in and refine during and after the drawing. This is an approach  based on an assignment for Sketchbook Skool which was to paint the basic shape of the subject quickly (fast) and then go in for the drawing in a more detailed, slow approach. I guess this is a variation of that idea but I still haven't done my homework for that assignment. I guess I should have taken a photo showing the first paint washes only for this. There is always next time.

The Crescent Hotel

Here is the newest sketch in the Stillman and Birn sketchbook of the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

I have been fascinated with this building ever since I first saw it and had the chance recently to stay overnight. I was up early the next morning and in the back garden by 7am so that I could sketch before returning home.

It was my intention to include some figures and at least a portion of the enormous porches which have a great view of the Ozarks. The sketch represents only a small portion of the actual building.


I started  a quick lay in of the basic shapes with a mechanical pencil and then started drawing with a black Copic Multiliner 0.3. After two hours or so with some way to go on the shading and details I decided to take a reference photo. I was able to finish most of the sketch but the watercolor was added after I returned home with some new M Graham watercolors.

Here is a photo of the drawing only right before the watercolor was added.

The sketch was used on the social media pages of the Crescent Hotel.

Here is a link to their Facebook page,
https://www.facebook.com/crescenthotel

Before the holiday I was also contacted by Stillman and Birn and they want to use the sketch on their social media as well. Very exciting to share my work with them!