Memphis Urban Sketchers @ Central + Cooper

This month we sketched at the corner of Central + Cooper.  It is such a busy intersection + it was also the St. Jude marathon that day.  We got a kick out of listening to the cops direct traffic + the drivers that were not happy at all.  When it got quiet enough, you could hear the Christmas music playing from Midtown Nursery.  I got there an hour early because I mixed up the time.  I decided to do a longer sketch with only watercolor of the Mapco from my car:

Then I sketched the nursery on the opposite corner: 

One of the cops said we better draw him, so I did (when he would stay still enough):

 

My last two sketches were of the traffic light + trestle with runners under it (they were my favorites of the day):

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ The Peabody

This month we went to The Peabody for our sketch group.  There were lots of people in the lobby waiting to see the ducks march.  It was quite a production.  I'm just glad I sat in a seat with a good view of the fountain.

(hand book watercolor journal, pencil, watercolor pencil + watercolor)

It was a great place to sketch!  The air conditioning was nice + some of the girls even got mimosas! :) I decided to sketch the beautiful chandelier next.  It was so ornate.

(new sketchbook I got in Paris, pencil + Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens)

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ Memphis Farmers Market

Elizabeth Alley started a Memphis Urban Sketchers Group.  Urban Sketchers is "a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the artistic, storytelling and educational value of location drawing, promoting its practice and connecting people around the world who draw on location where they live and travel. We aim to show the world, one drawing at a time.

This is the manifesto we follow:

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


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


3. Our drawings are a record of time and place.


4. We are truthful to the scenes we witness.


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


6. We support each other and draw together.


7. We share our drawings online.


8. We show the world, one drawing at a time."

I admire people who carry their sketchbooks with them & sketch everywhere.  I have also followed blogs like Trumpetvine, Danny Gregory, Wagonized & Andrea Joseph for years.  I was so excited to hear Elizabeth was starting a Memphis Urban Sketchers group.  This month we went to the Memphis Farmers Market.  I haven't drawn much from direct observation since I graduated from The University of Memphis (three years ago), so I was a little nervous.  I started my first sketch, but I was being too technical & found it hard to scale down.  I'm used to sketching an object but not the whole scene.  It will probably take a little while to figure out which materials I like best.  This is my second sketch & supplies:

I need to practice more & loosen up.  I look forward to the next time.  I enjoyed meeting new sketchers & seeing their results.  Fun!