Crayons and iPads

The NYC Urban Sketch Group met at the Museum of the Moving Image.

What a great place!

Although they were very generous allowing us to paint, sketch and draw as we pleased I decided that Saturday was going to be the day that I explored using an iPad as a sketching medium.  No pens, no pencils, no brushes, no watercolor or gouache.  No sketchbooks, and no paper.

You lose something and you gain something.  There's a tactile experience that's missing when you work on a sheet of glass.  Corrections are much easier, which was fortunate because the whole process was so different and everything seemed labored and awkward in the beginning.

Saturday was the day to try all this because Patricia Gaignat (wearing a red in the picture above)  was going to be there.  She is my inspiration for all things iPad.  Having her around for help was a really bonus.

The thing that's intriguing is you bring whatever skill you have at art to whatever medium you chose.  You really don't overcome your limitations by changing from watercolor to an iPad.  On the other hand you are able to express yourself in new ways.  To my eye, these sketches don't look like my usual stuff:

On the other hand the next three drawing look more like my usual drawings.   The first was a pen drawing I did of a guy in the cafeteria.  Patty showed me how to import it to the iPad where I added color.   The second drawing was done entirely on the iPad and shows Susan, Patty and Joan in conversation.  The third shows Sunil as we sat in the Cafeteria deciding what we were going to do for lunch:

I you draw someone in public
there's an excellent chance
they'll have a cellphone in their hand

Susan, Patty and Joan

Sunil

We went  to a Pizza Uno for lunch.  They had a huge basket filled with brand new crayons, - to keep the children amused.  I selected a new Red and a Blue.  I kept looking for a Yellow, but there were none. The woman who showed us to our table confirmed that there never are any yellow crayons.   Corporate only sends Red, Blue and Green.  Apparently Pizza Uno has a policy about yellow crayons!?!   Clearly a policy intended to keep you focused on the food at the expense of color mixing.   I should write a letter and complain  

I settled for a new Green and sketched Jimmy who sat opposite me:

Jimmy

Sketching at the Museum of the Moving Image

Since we knew we were going to be sketching indoors all day, plus the fact that we weren't really sure what we would find in the Museum of the Moving Image, Susan and I headed out earl and did a sketch in Long Island City. Every time we pass this spot Susan says we should sketch it...so we finally did.

Next we headed over to meet the group at the museum. I started with a sketch of a very early film projector 35 mm Simplex E - 7. I forgot to write down the date, but it looked pretty old.

In the same room were some old TVs. This was the largest direct-view set sold by RCA before WWII. I didn't realize they were around quite that long. Look at that tiny screen...even smaller than an iPad screen...not easy to watch from across the room. This was circa 1939.

Then I headed into the room that had reproductions of props and costumes.

There was a statue of Yoda.

Although I am not a fan of horror movies I sketched the razor glove from "Nightmare on Elm Street" and an oversized sweater from "A Nightmare on Elm Street and the Dream Master.

There were some mutoscopes from 1899 which are sort of like watching a movie but you are actually seeing a flip book inside that flips while you are turning the crank.

There was a section that had toys, puppets, games, lunch pails, and assorted memorabilia from early tv programs. This is a Howdy Doody marionette, c. 1955. It was one of the shows I loved watching as a kid.

At lunch I sketched a few people from other table...no resemblance whatsoever. lol

I went back and sketched a Pebbles Flintstone doll, c. 1963. She was so cute!

Finally I sketched the "candy counter" inside the Jungle Theater. I'm not sure why the jungle theater had an Egyptian them but it did. lol

The Museum of the Moving Image - Sketch site for Saturday December 28, 2013

Museum of the Moving Image

In a city filled with museums there is nothing like this one.  It is a one of a kind.  The Museum of the Moving Image is the country's only museum dedicated to the art, history, technique, and technology of the moving image in all its forms.

If you're a movie buff or a gamer, if you love TV, there is certainly going to be something for you that will inspire a brilliant sketch.  Check out Linda Blair's exorcist mask,  Chewbacca's hairy face.  The museum includes one of the most significant collections of video games and gaming hardware in the world. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Start time:  11:30 AM
• Address:  36-01 35 Avenue,  Astoria, NY 11106 
• Directions:  Subway - The E, M or R train to Steinway Street or take the N or Q train to 36th Avenue
• There is an admission fee - $12.

Off to a late start?  Come anyway.  Can't find us?

Call Mark:  973-809-9128

Sketching the Columbus Circle area

We started sketching across the street from Central Park with a view looking east of Columbus Circle

The View Looking East from Columbus Circle

Then we went to sketch the Heart Tower.  The bottom was completed in the 1920's and the top was the first major construction project in NYC after 9/11.  It's a visual puzzle.  On the outside the two buildings completely ignore each other, but I understand that on the inside, the architect has blended the old and new buildings to make a unified beautiful interior.

Eventually we got cold.  The day was surprising warm but it was time for some food and warmth.  We went to the food court at the 10 Columbus Circle.  As Lance came down the escalator he spotted us sketching and took this picture:

I did quick sketches of the people at the other tables:

Twas the Saturday before Xmas...

20 minute E train ride into the city was enough time to sketch some subway people.

My Columbus Circle sketch isn't finished, so onto The Whole Foods People.

At the end of the day before heading back to the island, Joan and I did an evening sketch of Radio City! Colorized at home, since I was too involved drawing in a few thousand people and windows, it was also too dark.

City Sketches

Susan and I took the subway into the city so we got some good views of people on the train.

The view of Columbus Circle was impressive.

The Hurst Building on 56th St and 8th Ave.

The Holiday Market at Columbus Circle.

Sketches from inside Whole Foods.

After leaving the rest of the group Susan and I stopped in the madness near Radio City to do one final sketch. I did the sketch on location but did the color at home. It got too dark to see my paper. lol

Here are a few photos from the day.

Around Columbus Circle

A few quick sketches from this morning's NYC Urban Sketchers excursion. Here, I'm looking out from in front of the Time Warner building.


We then walked over to the Hearst Building. I looked up at it and decided to draw the intersection instead (W. 56th & Eighth Ave).

At Whole Foods eating area in Time Warner building

Joy and Mark are seated lower left

Exploring Columbus Circle, December 21, 2013

Columbus Circle

The weather may be warm enough for outdoor sketching.  

Either way Columbus Circle provides lots of sketching opportunities.

We will meet in front of the Shops at Columbus Circle - Time Warner Center, which faces the opening to Central Park.  If it's raining we'll be inside.

Potential Sketch targets:
-  The interior of the Time Warner Center
-  The Museum of Arts and Design, which has a cafeteria that overlooks Columbus Circle and has a great view.
-  Trump International Hotel and Tower.
-  The Hearst Tower
-  The Art Students League
-  The Maine Monument (as in Remember the Maine?) at the Merchant's Gate Entrance to Central Park.

Details:
*  When:  Start time is 10 AM.  (Feel free to join us whenever you can get there.)
*  Where:  10 COLUMBUS CIRCLE
*  How:  Subways include A, B, C, D, and the #1 train.

Can't find us?  

Call or text Mark 973-809-9128

Local and City Sketching

In the last week I did a few holiday related sketches. I found a few good spots to sit in my car and sketch people who have bought Christmas trees. It always takes them a while to tie them onto the roofs, so I have time to capture them in action.

I also sat outside a garden center or two.

And I met friends in Grand Central Terminal.

Here are a few sketches of riders on the LIRR going to the city.

I'm trying to keep busy sketching when I can.