Hello readers, greetings from Barcelona. I’ll tell you why I am here in a second, but first, here’s a new roundup of inspiring sketching news: Live from the opera On November 4, during a general rehearsal of the opera “Robert…
Hello from a plane somewhere between Seoul and Seattle. I’m returning home after attending a remarkable urban sketching festival in Gyeongju, South Korea, but more on that later.Let’s dive into a roundup of notable sketching work in this issue of On the Spot.Political reportage in red and blueOct. 22, 2022. A session of the French […]
October 29, 2002. The royal tombs of Gyeongju dot the landscape of this ancient city on the east coast of South Korea. At first glance, they look like giant heaps of earth coming out of nowhere. But under each grassy…
Hello, On the Spot readers, and welcome new subscribers. I’m really glad you are here.In today’s newsletter:I introduce you to one of the most intrepid sketchers I’ve ever met I ask you to support my first book project as a publisher I share a list of upcoming sketching events all over the worldAre you ready? I’m ready.Volcano […]
Hello from Seattle!Your newsletter celebrating great urban sketching and reportage is here again. In today’s issue:An artist: The “Genius Loci” of Gavin Snider’s watercolor paintings An exhibit: The drawings of Rick Barton at The Morgan Library & Museum A book: “Explorers’ Sketchbooks, The Art of Discovery and Adventure”Enjoy!The “Genius Loci” of Gavin Snider’s watercolor paintings“You don’t understand. In […]
The London Urban Sketchers group (@urbansketcherslondon) celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a fantastic series of sketchwalks, lectures and workshops. They also presented an impressive book of fabulous London sketches (get your copy!). It was thrilling to be in such a…
A boat parked on a trailer may not be as picturesque as the waterfront scenes that most people are drawn to, but living in the Seattle area, a land of beautiful lakes and waterscapes, has heightened my curiosity for ships…
If you walk along Market Street in downtown Kirkland, Heritage Hall will definitely catch your eye. A striking example of neoclassical architecture, the building serves as a gateway to a beautiful park with breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Washington and…
My first 11 x 14 sketch since I stopped The Seattle Times column. Perfect weather. Interesting subject. And good company sketching with Mack Schroer, a talented artist and illustrator who recently reached out to learn more about my career trajectory.…
It’s a chilly January morning, but this picturesque bend along the Sammamish River Trail is busy with Sunday walkers and quite a few cyclists. My sketcher pals, Dave and Roy, and I aren’t deterred by the weather either. We are…
Dec. 12, 2021. Brrrrr! Cold morning with @uskseattle at King Street Station. Yet I couldn’t help but choosing to draw outside, which I haven’t done much lately. My hand was shaking after about 90 minutes sizing, penciling and inking this…
On New Year’s Eve, I went out for a walk hoping to make a sketch that would lift up my dwindling creative spirits. The scene of snow-covered houses was beautiful, and I was all bundled up and wearing my fingerless…
Oct. 10, 2021. I’m here to run the marathon Monday morning, but how could I not make at least one sketch! This city is an open book about the American Revolution, with plenty of storytelling (and eye-catching!) landmarks. Outside this…
I spent a wonderful weekend in Santiago de Compostela participating in “Historias de Cadernos de Viaxe,” a conference on travel sketchbooks included in the official programming of #Xacobeo2021. What an honor to be invited to teach a few workshops and…