Sketching at the Memorial Union Saturday February 25th

Pam, Mercedes and Gretchen

Sketches in the Union Theatre's "sun room" overlooking the lake

Welcome to Mercedes who joined us for the first time today.  She also draws wonderful cartoons!  It was a nice bright morning if a bit chilly.  There are so many great places for sketching at the Union now but the 2nd floor was still closed off for remodeling.  Still there is plenty to sketch on the first floor.  We wandered over to the Union Theatre's cozy room overlooking the lake and it was a great place for sketching with a nice gas fire going, potted plants and lots of students to sketch.  We will be going back to Memorial Union on March 12th from 1-3pm.  

Sunday February 12th - Olbrich Gardens

Mike, James & Betty

Betty

Louise, Ruth & Elsie

Loiusa's sketches on Strathmore greeting cards

My sketch using Pentel Pocket Brush Pen and crayon

Olbrich Gardens was a perfect place for sketching on a windy day but Louise ventured out in to the gardens for several plein air sketches!  Louisa sat right down on the bridge to get a close up of the koi.  Thanks to Mike for bringing a visiting friend, James with him and we encouraged him to check out Urban Sketchers  Denver when he gets home but when I looked online I see there isn't a regional chapter there but there was a site for urban sketching so I hope some group sketching is happening in Denver.  We were happy to have a visitor.  I believe I counted 9 of us sketching today but I think I am missing one - sorry!

We decided to go to Memorial Union on Sat. Feb. 25th AND Sunday March 12th.  It is a good place this time of year and since the union was remodeled it offers many sketching choices.  

Pocket-size Sketchbook and Pizza Brutta

Pizza Brutta

Yesterday I had lunch at Pizza Brutta at their Middleton location (they also have one on Monroe St.) and did this sketch in the smallest Moleskine sketchbook.  This paper is fine for ink sketching but watercolor sort of beads up on it.  The night before I watched a short lecture by USK founder Gaby Campanario about why he likes using a small pocket-sized sketchbook.  He said he can do more sketches faster simply because of the small size and that learning to sketch large scenes in a small space helps him to compose drawings in larger formats, too.  I've had this little sketchbook for years so now I am determined to fill it up as fast as I can.  The staff at Pizza Brutta were so nice and enjoyed seeing my little sketch and I explained what Urban Sketchers is about.  I enjoyed the arugula salad which is excellent there.  The flat bread that goes with it is also delicious.