Early Arrival

4/13/2010 08:57:00 PM Posted In , , Edit This 9 Comments »
Yesterday I was meeting a friend at Panera Bread Co. for lunch, and I got there early.  I knew I would be early as I had an appointment in the area that I was certain would finish in plenty of time for me to get there before my friend.  I wanted to score a booth - I like the privacy and comfort of booths, but they can be hard to get.  Sure enough, when I got there all the booths were filled, so I took a small table where I could eyeball the booths, whipped out my new sketchbook, and settled in.  I just got going on my first sketch when  a booth emptied - I was on it in a flash!  The cost of the booth was a partially finished sketch, and I was sitting where I couldn't see my subject anymore. 

Undaunted, I just started a new one, and soon my friend arrived.  (We had a great lunch, a great chat, but sadly, no dessert).  But, I digress.  Back to my new journal.  It's by Savoir Faire and it's filled with handmade paper.  I had no idea what it would be like to draw or paint in, so I was very interested in what happened.  I used my .005 Micron pen which was a bit too fine for the roughness of the paper, but it wasn't all bad.  I did the painting at home tonite, and I used a Very Old Set of pan watercolors by Pelikan. (It's the first set of watercolors I bought as an adult, and I think I've had them about 30 years ... no lie!)  The paintings are nothing to write home about, but I think I do like the sketchbook and the paper.  I have to work with it a bit more to be sure - it's very different from what I'm used to, but it was fun to play with.   So, here they are - the guy who got stood up (I made that up), and the woman who had such a great story to tell, her friend's hair stood on end (I made the story part up, but her hair really was standing up on end).



9 comments:

Sandy in Michigan said...

Nancy, I love this post on your blog! I wish I could have been at Panera's with you and your friend -- the conversation must have been interesting. From the story on your blog your imagination was running wild! I wanted to add that I've been following your blog and really enjoying it even though my life has been so crazy lately I haven't had time to comment much! I just want you to know that I'm out there reading and enjoying your stuff!

Alex said...

YAY new book! :) And Double YAYS for old painting sets ^^ I am like you Nancy, my painting sets lasts forever too. I believe I still have those I was using back in elementary school back at home...teehee!
Beautiful drawings, and totally productive too. I've never tried drawing/painting on handmade papers, but sure looks interesting there. But boy your 30 year old set works well still, kudos to Pelikan!

E*phi said...

Great sketches! Or rather paintings? I don't think you can still call these "sketches", perfect as they are! Glad to hear you had a good time! ♥

PS: I'm a "cave animal" too when it comes to cafés and the like - I NEED a wall behind me, preferably at least a corner ;)

Cathy Holtom said...

I love to see sketches of in cafe's and restaurant, it's the nosey part of me! I still haven't had the courage to do it myself, a booth is a good idea.

Autumn Leaves said...

Love the story about the woman's hair standing on end! LOLOL I think these are fabulous little watercolor sketches and how neat not to be intimidated by drawing figures. I confess that I am just petrified by them. Then again, I could draw a dot without messing it up. Your words remind me that I am in desire of a pochade box.

Anonymous said...

Very brave to sketch in a cafe, the drawings done this way are always full of life, bravo for starting so well your new sketchbook. You inspire me to try it.

Ann said...

Great watercolor sketches! I am always curious about sketchbooks and paper types so thanks for the review. This one looks like a keeper!

Unknown said...

Had to laugh, as I too make up stories to go with what I am sketching! Everything seems to tell a story, even if it is imagined! Wonderful sketches!! I don't think the old paints hurt you at all!

Ramona Davidson said...

Love the sketches. Awesome colors and stories. A good start in a new sketch book.