Urban Sketchers Visit Washington Square Park

The cold overcast day did not stop the NY Urban Sketchers who turned out in force this past Saturday in Washington Square Park - a crossroads of the world for all types of humanity.  I warmed up with a pencil sketch of Larry the Bird Man surrounded by his feathered friends.

Then went to the fountain where I set up my tripod and watercolor set, and did a sketch of the Justice for Freddy Gray and Black Lives demonstration.  A man by the name of Richard Agudelo took my picture while painting and was kind enough to send it to me.

The inking was rendered with a bamboo stick that was soaked in water for an hour, a trick an Urban Sketcher taught me.  It really helps even out the flow of ink.

I sketched a new sketcher named Kim, who had an amazing level of concentration and didn't move for a very long time.  Very convenient for sketching!  Also rendered with a soaked bamboo stick and India ink.

Here is Svetlana, Kim, Susan, and Masako, another new sketcher.  I had the time to do another, but was getting very cold.  I promised Susan I would make her look beautiful which wasn't that difficult.

I am always impressed with Susan's masterpieces:

Finally I did a quickie of a guy at the Prayer Station.  He wanted me to pray and I explained that drawing is my way of prayer.

We ended up at the Arts & Crafts Beer Parlor, where we downed a few and admired the work. 

So Sketchers, it was a crisp and wonderful Fall day in Greenwich Village.  A good time was had, and many beautiful sketches were produced.  It was great seeing new faces in the group!  We even had a guest appearance by Thomas Thorspecken, who wrote one of my favorite guides to Urban Sketching.  Thanks Mark, for doing the organizing, and I will see you all next time… Meanwhile, happy sketching!

You can follow me on Instagram @jlevinemd.

Jeff