2011 Camping Vacation Sketchbook



Little Sketches

In lieu of that little painting in progress, I'm posting a couple of sketches. Should be able to post the other tomorrow (or so). Sketches are from the weekend past, one from the badlands here in Ontario (so COOL you just can't imagine) and the other from late night doodling. Didn't get any painting done at the badlands cause there was just too many people around, and Georgie was being a little uncooperative. Only because he was excited too, really.

Marineland Niagara Falls

Spent Saturday at Marineland with the family (well most of them) and 1500 families from my workplace. Was hot and sunny, and a really good turnout. The kids loved it; I even got in some sketching. I did sign up for the seasons pass (for an extra $5 CAD) so that I could back by myself and do some longer sketches. It is hard to concentrate with a niece or two working to get your attention.

But I did get in a few quick ones. I'm always amazed by the diversity of people here in urban centres; fascinating.

Summer Project: Eaton Hall

Have decided to make my summer painting project subject Eaton Hall. It is a wonderful spot just north of the city of Toronto, outside of Aurora. The idea is a compliation of sketching, painting and photography into a singular final piece, after creating a multitude of individual pieces over the course of a set period of time. We were up several weekends ago, and I'm headed there again this weekend for another excursion. Last weekend was sketching and sorting through the ideas, while this weekend I'm bringing along the paint box for some outdoor painting. It should be hot enough to scare away the bugs too; forecast, bright sunny skies.

Portrait

Finished a portrait for a friend of mine's parents this week past; it was something I'd been meaning to complete for some time now and I'm completing my past commitments as kind of a renewal thing. It was just a simple graphite piece, done in this case from an old photo as this gentlemen is long since left us. Sometimes memories are powerful drivers. Fortunately his son (grandfather to a friend) really did appreciate the portrait and it has since left the easel.

Sketching

Pillar Rock Sketch/Drawing

Yeah, I know, another sketch/drawing that I think I'm just going to leave the way it is for now. No messin' with it. Another basis for a painting, methinks. Pillar Rock is also in the Hell Holes ravine. Very cool.

Ravine Sketch (20x24"ish)

Have decided to leave this as a simple sketch, and will most likely move on now to a painting. May or may not be this particular scene, but I'm sorta working in a series again all on this "Hell Holes" ravine area outside of Kingston, Ontario. I'll probably play a bit with this one here and there. Hmm.