On- Site Sketching

South Street Seaport

Municipal Building

It was a drawing class at Pratt Institute in 1984 that really jump- started me in the world of on- site sketching.  Walking around the streets of New York capturing the things that I saw was quite an experience and set me on a path that I'm still on today.  

My teacher, Barbara Carr told us that drawing isn't so much about drawing as it is about seeing.  I (obviously) still remember that and still find it to be true today.  To wander around looking and taking pictures of things isn't really seeing them.  But to sit (or stand, or keep walking) and draw them- that's when you have to really see something.  

We had to draw everything on large newsprint paper with big, fat markers- usually Nubian Brown with some occasional color.  I think I also learned an appreciation for drawing very quickly in those days.  

9th Avenue

9th Avenue between 39th and 40th Streets.

Chinatown