Sketching at the Union Depot With the MetroSketchers.

The TC Urban Sketchers joined the MetroSketchers for a sketch-out at the Union Depot in Lowertown, Saint Paul last Sunday. More sketches at the MetroSketchers Facebook page. We had lots of fun - I even got buzzed by a drone while sketching:

The MetroSketchers in the Waiting Room.

Serena Mira Asta and I in front of the Union Depot.

The gathering for show and tell.

Time to take photos.

Me watercoloring (photo by Nigel Parry)

James Nutt sketching facing west.

James Nutt again.

Architects and their sketches in the waiting room.

Roberta's sketch of ping pong players in the Waiting Room.

My sketch of the front of the Union Depot.

Lots of good sketches!

Photo of sketches by Nigel Parry

TC Urban Sketchers & MetroSketchers Gallery Show in September

All Twin Cities Urban Sketchers and MetroSketchers are invited to participate in a gallery show in September (actual date not yet determined).

We encourage all our sketching friends at all levels of experience and abilities to participate in this show. This is not a competition. Sketching is not about perfection, but the fun of creating a fun, fast, fresh impression of the places we visit with other sketchers.

This is how it will work: Submissions to the show will be taken from artists who participate in one or more monthly MetroSketcher/TC Urban Sketcher sketch-outs. If there is room, other sketches not done on sketch-outs will be shown separately, but to be eligible for that section, those artists must have participated in at least three MetroSketcher/TC Urban Sketcher sketch-outs. Sketch-outs will be announced each month on the MetroSketcher Facebook page and on the TC Sketchers Facebook page and blog. If you have any questions regarding the show, please ask us. We will post more details as we get close to the date to submit your sketches.

IMPORTANT! To participate in this gallery exhibition, applicants who are MetroSketchers must follow the guidelines of the international Urban Sketchers policies, which differ from MetroSketchers policies (to learn more about MetroSketchers policies, click here).

Here are some rules:

* You did the drawing from observation and on location, not from photos or memory.

* No sketches from figure drawing sessions or posed models.

* All sketches should be done in the Twin Cities.

* Sketches must be completed on location.

Photos will be taken at the conclusion of each sketch-out of participants and their sketches. Sketches will be displayed along with the photo.

The Urban Sketchers Manifesto:

We draw on location, indoors or out, capturing what we see from direct observation.

Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live and where we travel.

Our drawings are a record of time and place.

We are truthful to the scenes we witness.

We use any kind of media and cherish our individual styles.

We support each other and draw together.

We share our drawings online.

We show the world, one drawing at a time.

If you have questions, come to the next MetroSketcher event at the Union Depot in Saint Paul April 6th.

Work travel to Virginia Beach and Philly

A recent travel trip and the sketches I squeeze into the down times. I hope you enjoy. 

Sketching at the National Cathedral

On Tuesday, I found myself with a few extra hours in Washington DC before a flight back to Minneapolis. It was perfect for a visit to the National Cathedral. Before heading inside to see the Space Window with its moon rock, I got in a sketch. I wrapped it up just as my waterbrush's water began to freeze.

photo by Amber Sausen

Another visitor, Chris Branagan, asked to take a picture of me sketching, and I'm delighted that he shared the photos with me.

photo by Chris Branagan

photo by Chris Branagan

sketch media: Lamy Vista with Noodler's Squeteague ink, waterbrush pen, Laloran sketchbook

Sketching President Obama at the Union Depot in Saint Paul.

Roberta and I were lucky to sketch President Obama today. The POTUS was giving a speech about transportation and jobs. People lined up for free tickets Monday and there was a huge, enthusiastic crowd today.

We were able to sit and sketch, but we had a enormous, bright light shining in our eyes the whole time - next time I'll pack a hat with a visor.


Click on the sketches to make them bigger:

Monday, people lined up for tickets.

Here's my sketch of the POTUS in the waiting room today.

Quick sketch of the President speaking.

Roberta's sketch of the POTUS speaking.

More Indoor Sketching - Musicians Practicing in the Union Depot

The Polar Vortex continues its icy grip on Minnesota, making it all but impossible to sketch outdoors. But, here in the Union Depot, there's always something interesting going on in the Waiting Room. Today, the Minnesota Brass was practicing. Roberta and I sat down and listened and of course sketched.

Click on the sketches to make them bigger:

Roberta's sketch, Faber Castell PITT Artist pen and colored pencil.

Sketch in my big, Strathmore toned paper journal with pen & colored pencil.

Another sketch in the big, toned paper journal. 

Sketch in the small journal.

Local Media Beginning to Notice Twin Cities Urban Sketchers Movement

Yup, we Twin Cities urban sketchers are apparently a "thing".

Awesome fellow TC urban sketcher Amber Sausen beat me to it, posting a link to Sheila Regan's awesome City Pages Dressing Room blog post titled "Ken Avidor on the urban sketching movement". Thanks, Amber.

But, I'd like to add some some more info about the sketching scene here in MPLS/STP for folks who'd are dropping in from that article because there is always more stuff that could be useful and hopefully of interest to rookie urban sketchers.

 The article mentions this blog being the local franchise of the worldwide Urban Sketcher blog and that the TC Urban Sketchers aren't the only gang in town, there's the Metrosketchers, a Facebook group that has regular, monthly sketch-outs. The folks behind Metrosketchers are local legends Tim Jennen and Liz Carlson (see below sketch of Tim and Liz). Tim and Liz are super-talented artists besides being awesome sketch-out organizers and they also have a gesture drawing co-op, also on Facebook.

Liz & Tim at the Como Conservatory.

Another awesome, local legend is Roz Stendahl, my personal art guru (see sketch of Roz below). Roz has an amazing blog that has incredibly detailed information about art supplies, the nuts and bolts of sketching outdoors,journaling and other stuff. Roz has led the annual Minnesota State Fair sketch-out. Roz, until recently hosted the MCBA Journal Collective, a great place to learn all kinds of stuff. The amazing Suzanne Hughes has taken the reins of the MCBA Journal Collective - find them on Facebook.

Roz is totally prepared for the rigors of sketching at the MN State Fair.

There will be more  opportunity to celebrate our burgeoning urban sketchers movement when we have our art show in September. Details to be announced next month - stay tuned.