So cold in my brief not-quite-two-days there this week, that the only sketches I made were inside.
Inside Grand Central Station, having a delicious lunch at Cipriani with dear friend Amanda:
Inside our hotel, at breakfast, breaking out the fun, multi-colored Koh-i-noor 'Magic Pencil' I bought with Amanda at New York Central Art Supply to sketch fellow diners:
Inside our hotel room, looking at the building across the street, sketching its frills and furbelows:
Inside the Asian collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art:
Inside my sketchbook, drawing my husband with the 'Magic' pencil, mentioned above. It is great fun because you have no idea what colors will emerge (note his eyebrows!) and there is no control over values and tones, either, of course. I wish the lead were more deeply pigmented, but you can't have everything in this life, can you?
Thank you, Sandra, Kate, Sue and Jo! Yes, that magic pencil is lots of fun---there are no great issues at stake when I use it, just a sense of sheer playfulness and a readiness to be surprised at the results.
Jo, I'm going to be in Portland in the next few days and I will try to contact you!
Posted by: Laura | March 12, 2014 at 07:04 AM
hello Laura! I just wanted to let you know I have been following your blog for a while and it is very inspirational. I appreciate your self-discipline, your sense of adventure and the sheer joy you find in painting and drawing. I am a new-ish convert to drawing and painting and I am always looking for ways to pump up my practice. I really enjoy the support I get from your efforts and commentary. I am in Portland Oregon and I know you come here regularly. I would love to do a class with you if you ever do one. I haven't been out with the Urban Sketchers group so maybe I might try that. Thanks for the fun and beauty!
Jo Brody
Posted by: Jo Brody | March 11, 2014 at 11:41 PM
What fun sketches with your magic pencil. Love all your indoor sketches though.
Posted by: Sue Pownall | March 09, 2014 at 07:51 AM
Oh, what FUN! That magic pencil looks like it would loosen anyone up (which *I* need, you don't!) these are just glorious...
Posted by: Cathy Johnson (Kate) | March 02, 2014 at 12:43 PM
I just LOVE your sketches Laura! Nobody gives a sketch more life than you do! Awesome:0)
Posted by: sandra busby | March 02, 2014 at 10:15 AM
Thank you, love!
Posted by: Laura | March 01, 2014 at 10:28 PM