St Helens Marina

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I have a group of urban sketchers I take out once a week.  It's been almost nonstop rain since last fall so making real life look sexy in gray and rain is difficult.  Let's face it, trying to stay dry is difficult so we resorted to meeting at restaurants and drawing what we ordered to eat.  

Last week we had an invitation from the marina to use their lounge for a chance of pace so we could work from a heated area yet have a chance to draw outside.  I decided to work my magic with colored pencils knowing all the rigging was going to be a challenge.  This was an experiment... I used gouache to add the rigging after I was done drawing.  I wish I had thought of this years ago!

St Helens Marina
12" x 16"
Sennelier watercolor for the sky foundation
Caran D'Ache Luminance colored pencils
White gouache on the rigging

Reference: Hours working on site and my own reference photos

Before

I decided to draw this view because it will never look the same after this.  St Helens has a once in a lifetime opportunity to redevelop their waterfront from an industrial site to a multi-purpose area potentially revitalizing the downtown area.  With careful planning, anything is possible.  It is exciting to witness.  So this is before.  After will have to wait a couple of years. 

"Before"
11" x 20" matted and framed
Senelier Watercolor and Caran D'Ache colored pencil
140# Fabriano Artistico hot press cotton paper

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A little bit of St Helens

Before the weather turned in to this rainy cycle we haven't been able to get beyond yet I was going out and drawing St. Helens (Oregon).  I hope to be back at it again soon.  Surely the rain won't stay forever.  I hope.  Click to view them larger.