Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 4.

The last sketch of the day was of the Sea Ranch non-denominational chapel. It is a wonderful little building that makes me think about hobbit holes and the power of a community. It was inspired by an artist, designed based on sketches and location setting, built by local craftsmen, and is maintained by the volunteers in this community. I wish to visit more places like this! (here is a very interesting story with great photos from the process of construction).

It was the end of a long sketching day and the setting sun was gifting us a gorgeous golden glow. I did a quick pen drawing which did not dry properly (dump day and a sketchbook that was out and about all day long) - so when I sprayed it with water I got a beautiful running ink effect. Then I decided to add color but now I wish I left it and just enjoyed the view instead of rushing to catch it on my dump paper.

And these last two sketches are from a quick stop on the way back - some boats in the Bodega Bay while we chewed on our sandwiches and made plans for more trips like this.

What a wonderful trip!

Here are links to the other parts of this story:

Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 3.
Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 2.
Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 1.

Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 3.

I took with me a portable kit for the stencil technique that I've been working on for some time now. The experiment went very well - I can have all the tools in a pocket and work on location. It does require a surface to work on (either putting a sketchbook on my knees or standing next to somewhere where I can place my book). And I tried adding white gouache to it for the first time - here is an image I shared in a previous post - when it was unfinished. And again - in its final version.

I used this technique to work in the cypress lane too. It is a mind-bending row of trees that creates a tunnel that catches the light in a very special way. This was probably the most challenging sketching spot for me because of so many amazing views - each one more interesting than the other. All three of us ended up experimenting with our subject and tools. Photos of me are by Srivani and Suhita. Thank you!

Here are links to the other parts of this story:

Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 4.
Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 3.
Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 2.
Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 1.

Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 2.

After an early lunch, we moved to the beach where I got to sketch some treasures (we found a large piece of kelp with the leaves and roots and a top shell of a crab). We were sitting in a little cove with a perfect view of these two rocks guarding the entrance to the beach.

And in the next beach was occupied by harbor seals - we painted above it - view to the side and view of the seals - playing in the water (usually you see them lying on the rocks but this time we witnessed a lot of activity!).

Here are links to the other parts of this story:

Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 4.
Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 3.
Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 2.
Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 1.

Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 1.

I've been to the Sea Ranch before, but not like this. This time two of my friends (Suhita and Srivani) and I went for an art adventure, and it could not have been better. Our endeavor began with some rain during the drive but even that was an interesting experience on a majestic Hwy 1 along the Pacific Coast. The house was warm, and conversations were galvanizing.

The next morning we woke up to perfect weather which changed a lot during the day but every surprising turn brought more interesting light to our works. It was not cold, we witnessed some magnificent skies, we had some interesting architectural solutions and nature to draw. We managed to sketch in five different settings on that day and here are my sketches from the first one:

Here are links to the other parts of this story:

Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 4.
Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 3.
Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 2.
Sketching Trip to the Sea Ranch: Part 1.

One Evening and One Pomegranate (Sketchbook Spread)

This was an evening of trying different approaches to drawing a pomegranate. At the end of the night, I used so many different materials on the last sketch that when sprayed my sketchbook with the casein fixative it started spreading in all directions. But that is fun too :)