Monday, July 16 2012
Hill and 8th
La Esquina del Sabor
Process: pencil sketch, watercolor wash, dry on wet,
watercolor pencil
I think that’s the last time I use Canson watercolor paper.
What garbage! It is inconsistent and unpredictable. Arches 140lb cold pressed
is so much better. It handles washes well and the pigment settles in at a
predictable rate. It also holds up better and gives more consistent washes. I
was really enjoying my sketch but that paper could not handle simple work.
Activity I noticed on 8th and hill: people waiting
for the bus and getting off the bus for work. Almost no one stops for coffee
here. The payphones are much more popular.
Today was overcast again this morning. The sun didn’t pop out
until after 10AM and changed my light way too much. It was so bright I could
not make out colors.
I see potential in this composition for narrative. By focusing
on a limited site rather than a grand scale I think it is more personable and
approachable. I will revisit this one for sure. Later I will try LA Café from
across the street.
Tuesday, July 17 2012
Grand Central Market
China Café
Process: pencil sketch, watercolor wash, dry on wet,
watercolor pencil
Today I met and interviewed Alex Schaefer. It became clear to
me, and Alex helped to bring this up, that the interactions with all those
people in the street are just as important, if not maybe sometimes more
important than the painting itself. There is so much to learn from the
encounters with local people! I am also excited for the prospect of meeting
other artists and painting together.
Afterwards I stopped at the Grand Central Market for lunch and
a sketch. It is always so busy here. Last time I came through I was conflicted
by actually getting a seat at the counter of China Café or hanging back and
painting it. I wanted to experience it last time, so this time I sat back and
painted the action. The China Café is not nearly as good as the carnitas place.
Wednesday, July 18 2012 2AM
Tonight I noticed a B-boy dancer practicing in the parking lot
across from my apartment. I’ve seen them do this before, but tonight I was
inspired to draw him. I spent too much time out of the gate drawing the scene
and not focusing on the dancer. By the time I got to the dancer, he had moved
out of the scene. I realized that I can draw that part anytime, and that I
should do some gesture drawings of the dancer. He moved like a robot. It was
tough, he was so fast and his moves did not look human. At one point he broke
out the guns like dirty harry. He is hard to draw when he moves his shoulders
up and hands down.
Wednesday, July 18 2012
Grand Hope Park
Soccer in the Park
Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on
wet, watercolor pencil
I decided to try Grand Hope Park again in the early afternoon,
midweek. I figured there would be more people in the park, and I was right. A
group of people were playing soccer. Some came and joined in and left. I tried
out my new view finder today and I like how it really helps me place things.
I thought a different view of the park today might be nice. I
liked the big tree and the jungle gym in the background. The soccer game picked
up now and again. It was tough to draw the figures who were constantly moving.
Today I conducted a phone interview with Diego Cordosa. He was
short spoken but gave me a good description of his process and motivation. He
works quite different from Alex and John who both do plein air. Diego works in
acrylics from photos. There is definitely a different spirit to their
paintings, John and Alex were also much more animated.
Thursday, July 19 2012
Runyon Canyon
LA Skyline
Process: watercolor wash
Today I met and interviewed John Kilduff. After looking at his
painting of LA from Mulholland Drive, I was inspired to check it out. I drove
from one end to the other. There were two placed to hike, one a former NIKE
missile site and the other near the Hollywood Bowl is Runyon Canyon Park. You
can see all of LA up there. I hiked out and set up to paint, but it was so hot
and I was burning badly. I got a short sketch of the skyline. I will go back
better prepared.
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