Holiday Sketching Parties Begin

What a glorious time some of us Whidbey Island Sketchers had at the Anacortes Sketchers holiday party.  Aleli's beautiful Asian statues, art and holiday decor provided enough sketching material for days and our challenge was to pack as much in as possible (while also gabbing, sipping afternoon wine and munching on holiday treats) in only a few hours. 

Happy Holidays to all my sketchy friends!

North off Island

My available sketching times/dates have recently synced more with the Anacortes Sketchers than the Whidbey Island Sketchers.  While I miss my Whidbey sketching pals, here are a couple of sketches with the sketchers to the North.



A couple at Trumpeter Pub & Restaurant's bar in Mt. Vernon.  Sketched during the Line to Color Workshop in Mt. V.


 

Blown glass fish and sea plants.  At The Glass Aquarium outside Mt. Vernon.

Skagit Valley Tulips Fields

I joined the Anacortes Sketchers in the Skagit Valley tulip fields today.  It was a glorious sunny day to sketch tulips in full bloom, and stop at Christianson's Nursery for lunch and a sketch inside before returning to the fields. 

Up close and across the fields toward the mountains - either view is spectacular in the Skagit Valley tulip fields.

 

Inside the greenhouse at Christianson's.

ALELI'S BIG RED CHINESE LACQUER HORSES

Aleli and John have so many wonderful, eclectic collectibles in their Anacortes home. It is almost impossible to choose just one thing to draw. A lot of the sketchers do two or three drawings, but I am so slow that I only ever seem to get one done. This time I concentrated on these two beautiful red horses and Santa.We are so fortunate to get an invitation to sketch here again this year!

ANACORTES SKETCHERS

The Whidbey Island Sketchers met the Anacortes Sketchers at the lovely home of Aleli and John.  There was much holiday merriment and huge numbers of sketching possibilities.  I chose their Cinnabar horse.  There were actually two horses, so I hope the 2nd horse forgives me and perhaps I'll sketch her another day.  Thank you for your hospitality!!!!

Lauren Bacall Bear

Today we were at the annual Christmas party with the Anacortes Sketchers at Aleli's home.  Last year her home was decorated everywhere with Santas; we are talking lots of Santas.  This year we had a bit of a different theme with designer Bears.  These Bears were made with old quilts, jackets of fur, & fur stoles.  Their parts were moveable and I had fun sketching and painting Lauren Bacall with her ribbon and lace headdress and black fur coat.  Annnnd, here she is Lauren.....

Lauren Bacall, waiting for Humphrey

Festive Party Sketches

Thanks to our sketching buddies to the north, the Anacortes Sketchers, who invited the Whidbey Island Sketchers to join them in their holiday sketch party.  What a blast (thanks Aleli and John)!  I'm afraid I spent way to much time gabbing and laughing because I only managed to get in a couple of very simple little festive sketches. 

Pumpkin Sketching

Joined the Anacortes Sketchers this afternoon for a beautiful Fall afternoon sketching at Gordon's Skagit Farm in the Skagit Valley.  Tried 2 opposite techniques in my sketches today:  #1 tight and detailed and #2 loose and piling on the paint.  #2 was more fun.



#1 The Pumpkin Lady

 

#2 Pumpkins & Cosmos

Windjammer Park

It was great fun to join the Whidbey Island Sketchers on Friday in Oak Harbor! Sat by a hedge that blocked the wind and tried to sketch the windmill. Here it is!

Sketching in the Tulip Fields

It was glorious afternoon to sketch with the Anacortes Sketchers in the middle of stunning tulip fields in full bloom in the Skagit Valley next door.  So much color; so little time!  Boy do we live in paradise!!