Weekday Sketchers at Morningside Park  

Stretching north through the neighborhoods of Morningside Heights and Harlem, this park offers unique views of the cliff edge that forms the upper part of Manhattan.  Long and narrow this park is filled with unique features, sculptures and a waterfall. Join us this week to capture it all in our sketchbooks. 

For more information about Morningside Park, click here: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/morningside-park/history

Seligman Fountain

DATE: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 4, 2023

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: MORNINGSIDE PARK

                        We will meet at the waterfall, approximately at 114 St and Manhattan Ave

TRANSPORTATION: B or C train to 110th/Cathedral Parkway.  Walk one block west to Manhattan Ave then north to the 113th street entrance. Follow the path to the waterfall. 

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at Rayliedunkel1@gmail.com
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• Water and bathrooms are available
• There is no food service in the park.  Bring your own or purchase food from the neighborhood outlets
• Bring a stool

 

Saturday October 28, 2023 workshop 

Perspective de-Mystified with Alán Ramiro

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-urban-sketchers-workshop-perspective-de-mystified-with-alan-ramiro-tickets-726165569767?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Presently established in Lisbon, Alán is returing to New York to conduct this workshop. This workshop is dedicated to the nuanced art of perspective, seeking to dispel its mysteries once and for all. The workshop journey commences with exercises in visualization, designed to impart clarity and inspire those revelatory "a-ha" moments. Subsequently, participants will immerse themselves in an elaborate urban street scene, bustling with cars, a bridge, and a dramatic sensation of a one-point perspective. This experience prioritizes the essence of movement and offers a view that does not include the small details of buildings and instead focuses on the dynamic energy of perspective. Explore this workshop through ink and watercolor to see the lines and gain a new visual understanding.

The workshop will be held outside under a train trestle. The Forum at Columbia University is just around the corner and offers an indoor location with restrooms in case of bad weather. See map below.

When: Saturday October 28th at 10am-1pm

Location and Directions: Meet outside under the No 1 Subway Train Station, at 125th Street and Broadway, group will then move to a location near by that gives you great views of the long perspective

Suggested Tools and Materials

-A color pencil and scrap paper

-A watercolor sketchbook or paper block.

-Permanent ink pens, or a fountain pen. If possible, bring a variety of sizes.

-Any Watercolor kit. Water brushes or various brush sizes

-A travel stool.

SUNDAY: Sketch the Elizabeth Street Garden

 

Every time I visit the Elizabeth Street Garden I always feel it will probably be the last time.  This choice piece of NYC real estate has been the subject of development plans for years.  And yet, it is still there.  The garden is a sweet urban oasis!  There are always good things to sketch there.

DETAILS

What:   We’ll be sketching the Elizabeth Street Garden

Where:   Elizabeth Street - between Prince & Spring Streets.

When:  Start time - SUNDAY 10 AM - October 1, 2023.   Running late?  Come anyway - we'll be there.

NOTE: The Garden doesn't open until 11 AM.  I'm going to sketch the neighborhood, the cars and whatever else is there until people start entering the garden.

How:

-   By Subway:  

4,5, 6 trains to Spring Street

J, Z, trains to Bowery

BDFM trains to Broadway Lafayette

F train to Second Avenue     - (see map below).

​-   By Car:  Parking is limited and difficilt, - but there is no alternate side of the street parking on Sunday 

Lunch:  We'll break at 12:30.  We'll find a spot to sit together.  Bring your own food and drink or rely on vendors and neighborhood stores.

Afternoon:  1:30 PM  Back to sketching.  

Show and Tell:  3:00 PM -   We’ll find a spot in the gardens to share stories from the day, show our artwork and talk about the things artists talk about when they’re together.

NOTE:

-     Bring a hat.  

-     Bring a stool, it gives you more options. 

(click to enlarge)

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

There are no fees.   All drawing skill levels are welcome.

SATURDAY September 30, 2023: Westchester Sketchers at Colonial Day in Greenburgh

Featuring George Washington’s Revolutionary War

Tents & Encampment, from Philadelphia’s Acclaimed

Museum of the American Revolution

Let's do something different this week and travel back in time to experience revolutionary history and see what life was like during the 1781 Encampment of American and French troops in Greenburgh!  It will be a great opportunity for us to practice our reportage skills by documenting the day through our sketches.

• Tour Washington’s Revolutionary War Tents & Encampment, guided by historic interpreters from Philadelphia’s acclaimed Museum of the American Revolution.
• Meet George Washington, Le Comte de Rochambeau, and Ben Franklin.
• See military marching and drills by re-enactors of the 5th New York Regiment and Hearts of Oak.
• Toys, games, and activities for kids; demonstrations of Colonial cooking, wool spinning, blacksmithing, and more!
• Learn about the role Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters played in the encampment and how this historic site is being restored.

242 years ago, in the summer of 1781, the Continental Army under the command of George Washington and the French Army under the command of Le Comte de Rochambeau, marched into Greenburgh with 9,000 soldiers and camped for six weeks. Rochambeau stayed at the Odell House and it was there that the two generals made a crucial decision that resulted in the final victory that won the Revolutionary War.

This event is being presented by Friends of Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters and the Town of Greenburgh. It is part of the Hudson River Valley Ramble, an event series that celebrates the history, culture, and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley.  For further details click here: https://www.odellrochambeau.org/news

DETAILS:

DATE: SATURDAY, September 30, 2023 Rain Date: October 1, 2023

START TIME: 10:00 AM.  

LOCATION: Hart’s Brook Park & Preserve, 156 Ridge Road, Hartsdale, N.Y.

DIRECTIONS: https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/ridge-road-park-303347203

By TRAIN  Transportation from Grand Central Terminal, NYC:  Metro North Harlem Line to the Hartsdale Station.  Find schedule Information  Please call Marianne to arrange for pick up and ride to the site.

LUNCH: 1:00 PM Bring your own, lunch or snack, and water.

SHOW and TELL: After lunch.  This is the social part of our day where we share our drawings, tips, and stories. It is a time not to be missed. 

NOTES:

• Colonial Day festivities are from 10 AM to 4 PM.  
• Admission is $10.  Pay when you park with cash, check or Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards. No electronic payments.
• Parking at Ridge Road Park, 287 Ridge Road, Hartsdale, N.Y. Free shuttle bus service to the nearby event. Handicap parking available at the Hart’s Brook Park site.
• Bring a hat, sunscreen, and tick/insect repellent.  
• Bring a stool for the best sketching options.

Please RSVP to Cathy (cathygutterman@verizon.net). 

Looking for us?
Call/text: Cathy at (914) 625-0766.

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome. 

Weekday Sketcher at Roosevelt Garden at AMNH 

  Is it a giant Marshmallow?  A spaceship? A giant Star Wars helmet? The Michelin Man? 

What is that behind the American Museum of Natural History?

None of the above....it's the new wing of the museum's addition to museum. 

Join us for a day of sketching in the garden that surrounds the museum along Columbus Avenue and 81st Street.  In addition to the views of the new wing, there are many other site lines including the views of the glass cube inclosing the Rose Center and the many views of the original AMNH building. Need something more challenging?  Try the line if beautiful apartment buildings that line 81 St. Or capture the canines in the Bull Moose Dog Run.  No matter your preference, it will be a lovely early fall day in the garden. 

Rose Center Exterior

DATE:  WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  THEODORE ROOSEVELT PARK ENTRANCE 81 ST AND COLUMCUS AVE

TRANSPORTATION: B or C  Train to 81 St AMNH Station

Headed to the Bull Moose Dog Park

NOTES

• Please RSVP Directly to Raylie Dunkel at Rayliedunkel1@gmail.com
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• Lots of benches but a stool offers you more options for sketching
• Water and bathrooms available.
• No food service in the park but lots of vendors around the area or bring your own. 

Saturday, October 21 - Anna Rich Workshop - Painting with Gouache

Gouache is an ancient medium known for its opacity. Anna Rich uses gouache to paint light-filled urban sketches. She is a talented artist and illustrator with many years experience working in watercolor, acrylics, gouache and oils. Anna will explain her process through a demonstration and then proceed to give guidance to each student and answer questions. Whether you see gouache as a medium to complement watercolor sketching, or a stand-alone art form you wish to explore more deeply, this workshop is bound to give you new insights into how to use these opaque paints. Students should have some familiarity with painting methods, as this workshop will be an exploration of techniques and materials using gouache.

When and Where

Date: Saturday, October 21

Time: 10am to 1pm

Location:   Pier 57, 25 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

We will meet in the Daffodil Room to start the workshop and then weather permitting, go outside to the Rooftop, to paint incredible views of the Hudson River park, the New York City skyline, or the New York Harbor. 

Tickets available on Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-urban-sketchers-presents-anna-rich-workshop-painting-with-gouache-tickets-719513322717?aff=oddtdtcreator

Gowanus Canal

IKEA Display

Botanic Garden sketcher

SUNDAY: We’ll Sketch Something!

 

The Thing About the Weather is You Always Get Something!

​

As I start on our sketching plans for this weekend the weather forecast is miserable.  Rain is predicted for both Saturday and Sunday.  However, I am struck by two facts.

1.  We didn’t sketch together last week, so I’m itching to get out there. Maybe you are too?

2.  The weather forecast is sometimes wrong.

I have the strongest feeling that it will not rain on both weekend days.  Sunday looks like the better bet, and my completely uninformed optimistic guess is that it will rain overnight and by Sunday morning we’ll have a decent day.

THE PLAN

But, I might be wrong, so let’s plan to sketch by the Metropolitan Museum.  If it is NOT raining at 10 AM, let’s meet by the path into Central Park. (see map).  If it is raining let’s meet by the information desk at the Met.   

ADDED BONUS!   If we do get rain the good news is we will also get the opportunity to see the new Manet/Degas show.  They’re exhibiting Manet’s Olympia and many other fantastic works.  Either way - we get a good day.

DETAILS:

WHAT:  We’re hopefully sketching in Central Park, in the area around the Met.  If it’s raining we’ll sketch inside the museum.

WHEN:  We’ll meet at 10:00 AM - by the entrance to Central Park if it’s not raining.  OR - We’ll meet at 10:15  AM (it’ll take a while to check in) by the Met Information desk if it’s raining. We will be sketching until 3 PM on SUNDAY, September 24th, 2023  

WHERE:  See the map below, and details above

HOW:  

By Subway:

East Side:  4, 5 or 6 train to 86 St. Walk west.

West Side:  1, train, or C train to 86 St.  Either walk across Central Park or take the 86th St. bus cross town to Fifth Ave. 

By Car:  The museum has paid parking.

LUNCH:  12:00 PM  - Lunch in the shade at a spot to be determined in the park if we get a good day.  If we’re in the museum go to the large cafeteria in the basement.  We’ll be seated all the way in the back on the left side.   Bring your lunch or purchase from the carts in the park or from the museum if we’re indoors.  

AFTERNOON:  1:00 PM  Back to sketching

SHOW AND TELL:  3:00 PM  Probably in our lunch spot.   This is the social part of our day where we will share our sketches, tell stories, and probably talk about art supplies.

The Outdoor Meeting Spot - click to enlarge

The Indoor Meeting Spot - click to enlarge

NOTE:

-  Bring a stool - it gives you more options.  Yes you can use a stool in the museum if you stay out of the way. 

-  Be prepared for direct sun and dress accordingly (see, I told you I was an optimist).

Can't find us?  

Call or Text Mark - 973-809-9128

There are no fees or attendance taken. 

All drawing skill levels are welcome.

THURSDAY September 21, 2023: Westchester Sketchers at Rockefeller State Park Preserve

Swan Lake

Rockefeller State Park Preserve offers quiet countryside walks of all lengths through forested hills and valleys surrounding sunlit pastoral fields. Thirty miles north of New York City, the property is the former Pocantico Hills and Rockwood Hall country estates of John D. Rockefeller family and William Rockefeller. Since 1983, the Rockefeller Family has generously donated over 1771 acres to the State of New York to safeguard these lands for present and future generations. The Preserve is open to the public year-round, sunrise to sunset.

Possible sketching sites/attractions within or near the park preserve:

• Fern Garden-located at the entrance.
• Swan Lake-a 22-acre lake located a short walk from the art gallery.
• Rockefeller Art Gallery-gallery of two-dimensional arts. 

DETAILS:

DATE: THURSDAY, September 21, 2023

START TIME: 10:00 AM.   

LOCATION: Rockefeller State Park Reserve  https://www.friendsrock.org/

Preserve Main Entrance: 125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville, NY 10570
Phone: (914) 631-1470

We'll meet at the visitor entrance.  

DIRECTIONS: https://www.friendsrock.org/directions-hours

By TRAIN  Transportation from Grand Central Terminal, NYC:  Metro North Hudson Line to the Tarrytown Station.  Find schedule Information  From there you can take a short taxi/Uber ride from train station to the Preserve Office on Rt. 117 in Pleasantville.  Please call Marianne to arrange for pick up and ride to the site.

LUNCH: 1:00 PM Bring your own, lunch or snack, and water.

SHOW and TELL: After lunch.  This is the social part of our day where we share our drawings, tips, and stories. It is a time not to be missed. 

NOTES:

• Grounds are open dawn until dusk.  
• Restrooms are available onsite.
• Parking is $6.00 per vehicle.  Please NOTE: Golden Park Pass for NYS seniors 62 and over.  Simply use your NYS driver's license at the pay stations for free vehicle access Monday-Friday
• Bring a hat, sunscreen, and tick/insect repellent.  
• Bring a stool for the best sketching options.

Please RSVP to Cathy (cathygutterman@verizon.net). 

Looking for us?
Call/text: Cathy at (914) 625-0766.

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome. 

Saturday, October 14 - Sketchbook Journalist Workshop with Gabi Campanario - Drawing and Writing on the Spot

Learn to become a fearless and prolific urban sketcher using tips to develop a sustainable practice. Join Gabriel “Gabi” Campanario, the founder of Urban Sketching as he teaches some of the sketcher-journalist skills he pioneered in Seattle. 

He will cover topics like how to hold the sketchbook and draw standing up, drawing across the fold, capturing movement and people in a scene, and storytelling with notes and writing. 

Join us for the opportunity to learn from the sketcher-journalist who started the urban sketcher movement sixteen years ago.

Tickets available eat Eventbrite.com: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-sketchbook-journalist-drawing-and-writing-on-the-spot-tickets-715364543607?aff=oddtdtcreator

When and Where:

Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023

Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT

Location: Washington Square Park. We will meet near the Arch