Gowanus Canal

This charming little scene is where the elevated F train meets the Gowanus canal in Brooklyn. I get a real kick out of drawing this kind of industrial ugliness. Urban with a capital "U".

Still Freezing

Three more of my hat wearing commuters in New York. Waiting for the thaw.

It's Freezing In NYC

My fellow subway riders all look like they are seeking salvation from the elements as they ride the trains and nobody goes hatless.

Views From A Window

It' is too cold to be outside in New York at the moment so here are a couple of view from the same window in Brooklyn looking toward Manhattan. Looking forward to the warmer weather. Happy New Year.

Woodstock

I'm staying in this great little cabin in upstate New York at the moment. We have snow outside and a wood burning fire inside. It's just so beautiful up here.

Subway Riders

I really enjoy the subway since I started sketching the faces, I used to hate it.

Franklin Park

The Weather was so bad last Saturday that I was force to go to Franklin Park, my favorite bar in Crown Heights, and draw inside. I was the only person in there for a while so I drew the beer pumps and the later I was able to convince the bar tender Lauren to sit for a portrait. As Saturdays go, not too bad.

Queen Mary 2 At Red Hook

I saw this great ship towering over the surrounding houses as I was driving back from Fairways. I couldn't pass up an opportunity like this. I got as close as I could with trespassing and really enjoyed drawing this one. That is down town Manhattan on the left. Have I mentioned yet just how much I'm enjoying Red Hook?

Caught-Up in Red Hook

Inspired by Stephen Gardner's masterful sketch of the same building, I made my way over to Red Hook yesterday to try my hand at this Brooklyn icon.

I may have to try again. Too caught-up in the details, I failed to capture the air of this eccentric old lady. Hat's off to S.G.

On a side note; a friend sent me this link to a collection of travel sketches by John Fischetti. Fischetti was an illustrator for Esquire and the Chicago Sun Times, among others. I enjoyed seeing them. Hope you do too.

http://bibliodyssey.blogspot.com/2009/11/fischetti-travel-sketches.html

Red Hook

This is a really interesting building in Red Hook, I've been wanting to draw it for some time and have often wondered what went on inside. As I was sat drawing a guy called Pete came out to see what I was up to, he was just leaving but said next time I was around he would give me a tour of the place. Sketch books can be quite the passport.

The Mary Whalen

Oh the joys of being an Urban Sketcher. I've been doing a lot of drawings in Red Hook lately and consequently was E-mailed by Carolina Salguero who came across my Red hook sketches and invited me to come sketch her ship the MARY WHALEN. She is a retired oil tanker that is currently docked at the Red Hook container port, the north side of pier 9B. It was such a privilege to get to sketch this old beauty and I've already invited myself back for another session next week. Yes, the joys of being an Urban Sketcher.

Red Hook

This is another offering from Red Hook, this is a really old industrial cargo dock (I have no idea what I'm talking about). I find this sort of urban decay to be quite beautiful in a haunting kind of way and certainly great subject matter. Red Hook is turning into quite a revelation.

School Bus Hangout

I was back in Red Hook this morning and I came across this scene. It was the first time I was caught trespassing whilst sketching although no harm came of it. I was asked if I thought having a sketch book meant I could wander where ever I liked. I said "no" but I was thinking "YES!". I haven't been putting too much color in my sketches of late but who could resist all that yellow.

Up On The Roof

I have to thank the incomparable Gerard Michel for this one. His tremendous panorama inspired me to forget my vertigo and venture onto my roof. Not in Gerard's league but a good challenge and one I'll try again.

Red Hook

I'm getting to Red Hook quite a bit lately due to the fact that I have to deal with alternate side of the street parking on Tuesdays and Fridays. Instead of sitting in the car and waiting, I drive to Red Hook and get a drawing done, thus turning necessity into virtue. This old Tram sits at the back of Fairways, I've drawn it before and doubtless will again.

Stripped

This scene screams "urban" to me. Some poor unfortunate soul chained his bike to this post in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. As I was drawing it, a bus driver yelled out of his window to me that had I been by three weeks earlier I could have drawn the whole motorbike.

New York Subway

Adebanji's post inspired me to throw these into the mix. Public transport always makes for a great drawing opportunity.

Brooklyn

Here are three quick sketches of from Brooklyn, My Red Hook trip got rained off today so, as they say "Here are some I prepared earlier."

This Old House

My wife and I stumbled upon this old farm house whilst upstate New York. It was empty so while Angie poked around inside I took the time to sketch it. We were both happy with that arrangement.

Red Hook

I've been spending a lot of time in Red Hook, Brooklyn lately. There is so much to draw down there and it reeks "Urban". I'll be posting a whole bunch more from Red Hook in the upcoming weeks.