We started the day on Eldridge Street in the heart of Manhattan's historic Lower East Side, and sketched the Eldridge Street Synagogue, built in 1887 by Jewish immigrants. I remember this place fifteen years ago - it looked like a bombed out shell. Now it is completely restored and designated a National Historic Landmark. It is a museum and cultural center dedicated to telling the story of the neighborhood's early inhabitants.
I did this sketch in three sessions, finishing it up on Sunday morning with the Sketchers, some of whom I photographed below.
While everyone was concentrating on the Synagogue, I slipped into a Chinese Buddhist Temple next door and did a quick watercolor sketch of the prayer ceremony.
We had lunch in a very inexpensive Chinese restaurant nearby, and I sketched Pat, sketcher extraordinaire and author of the reclinerart blog.
After lunch I tried my hand at plein air watercolor at the produce market next to the Manhattan Bridge.
Then I noticed an intense group of men watching Chinese Chess and decided to give this a try with a sketch using a pre-soaked bamboo stick, Chinese ink, and watercolor.
Finally we met up at Union Square where there was a plein air art event, and I sketched one of my favorite Instagrammers, @susandrawss. This one was in simple pen and ink using Micron pens.
This was a long, productive, exhausting, and enjoyable day with the sketchers. I wish everyone a Happy 4th of July, and hope to see you all again soon! You can also follow me on Instagram @jlevinemd.
