CUA Law Commencement

Catholic University Law School had its Commencement exercises today, and I sketched the proceedings while sitting at the back of the stage in my cap and gown. This was perhaps a tad risky, as I was using pen and ink-wash, and it would have been bad to mess up my nice robes! But it went smoothly.

Commencement takes place in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Here's a look at the Basilica, and the graduates and their families seated in the church.

Geoff Watson, "Commencement in the Basilica," ink wash on paper, about 4" x 5," 2018.

This was the student speaker, Kwambina Ishmael Kyre-Martin Coker. Mr. Coker was in my Contracts class in his first year; he's a great guy, and his speech was one of the best student speeches I've ever heard. He has an inspiring life story.

Geoff Watson, "Kwambina Ishmael Kyre-Martin Coker," ink wash on paper, about 3" x 4," 2018.

The main Commencement speaker was The Hon. Brett M. Kavanaugh, a well-regarded judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Judge Kavanaugh gave a thoughtful and down-to-earth speech. 

Geoff Watson, "The Hon. Brett Kavanaugh," ink wash on paper, about 3" x 5," 2018.

Bethesda sketches

I took my sketchbook, fountain pens, gouache and water brushes to Bethesda Row today to sketch for a couple hours. I did this first drawing mostly with water-soluble ink and water, though I did add a little background greenery in gouache.  I could have added much more detail everywhere, but I decided to leave it as is.

Geoff Watson, "Bethesda Row," ink wash and gouache on paper, about 5" x 8," 2018.

I then wandered over to the pedestrian mall across the street, which looks through an arch at the Apple store on Bethesda Avenue. I've always wanted to draw this arch! I drew the outlines with water-proof ink in a fountain pen with a fine nib, and I added color with gouache (opaque watercolor). Fun!

Geoff Watson, "Bethesda Pedestrian Mall," ink and gouache on paper, about 5" x 8," 2018.

Movie Star M

This is an ink-and-watch drawing of my beautiful daughter, but I added a little mascara and makeup to add even more glamour.  She looks like a movie star!

I used my Sailor fountain pen and a new Pentel waterbrush, in my small Pentalic watercolor sketchbook.  I think the drawing turned out pretty nicely, especially considering that you can't erase mistakes in ink.  :)  Anyway, a pretty drawing of a pretty girl.

Geoff Watson, "Movie Star M," ink and wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.

Natalya

I've hardly touched a paintbrush in the past week, what with grading and graduation ceremonies, and I felt rusty in life class today.  Not my best effort, but by the end of the session I felt like I was back in the swing of things. 

Geoff Watson, "Natalya," oil study on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.

Mother's Day flowers -- from Mom!

My mom is a wonderful person, and one of the many things I love about her is that she inspired me to take up art.  She's also a terrific artist in her own right.  You can see more of her work at http://www.bethwatson.com/ .

She did this painting of roses some time ago, and when I admired it last Christmas, she sent it to me as a surprise gift!  So she sent me Mother's Day flowers.  It's supposed to be the other way round!  :-) 

I'm sorry for the glare on the photo; it's been raining all week, and I've had trouble finding a good spot to photograph (or create!) paintings.  Anyway, Happy Mother's Day, mom!

Beth Watson, "Roses," oil on canvas, 9" x 12."

Commencement

Today my son graduated from The Catholic University of America at its 129th Commencement ceremony!  Because I'm on the faculty at Catholic, I had the honor of greeting my son on stage and handing him his diploma.  That was great!  

Also, the theme of the ceremony was remarkable.  It was about immigration, and about welcoming.  First the University awarded several honorary degrees to immigrants from Cuba, Syria, Pakistan, Italy, and Lebanon.  Then we heard from the main speaker, Archbishop Jose Gomez, who spoke movingly of immigration's role in American history and culture.  President John Garvey described a painting he hangs in his home that welcomes guests, and he urged graduates to welcome guests into their own lives.  And one of the closing speakers quoted Emma Lazarus: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."   

I brought my sketchbook but forgot a writing implement.  My new best friend from the Drama Department loaned me a pen, and I drew the sketch below with it.  I'm pleased with it, though I got hot and tired by the time I reached the right half of the page, and my vertical lines there wandered off in the wrong direction.  Still and all, the picture captures the essence of the thing.  Hats off to CUA for a great Commencement! 

Geoff Watson, "Catholic University Commencement, 2018," pen on paper, 5" x 8," 2018.

Honors Convocation

Today The Catholic University of America held its Honors Convocation for graduating students -- including my son!  The event took place in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.  I wore my red academic robes, processed in with the faculty, and got a nice front-row seat.  I had my handy sketchbook with me, so in between applauding and cheering, I did some drawing!  I hope to do more of the same tomorrow at Commencement.

Geoff Watson, "Honors Convocation at The Catholic University of America," mechanical pencil on paper, 5" x 8," 2018.

Softball field

More softball!  This time I sketched the whole field across two pages of my sketchbook.  The game ended before I finished; I wanted to darken the darks, for example.  Still fun!

Geoff Watson, "Softball field," ink and watercolor on paper, 5" x 16," 2018.

Softball

I brought my fountain pens and watercolors to a softball game today. First I sketched a few people hanging out before the game.

Geoff Watson, "Hanging out," ink wash on paper, about 5" x 8," 2018.

At the diamond, I started with this quick pen-and-ink sketch of the catcher.

Geoff Watson, "Catcher," ink wash on paper, about 3" x 5," 2018.

And a quick sketch of the coach.  Alas, I closed the sketchbook too soon, and some of the ink ran, but it still captures his gesture.

Geoff Watson, "Coach," ink wash on paper, about 1" x 3," 2018.

Next, a ballplayer.

Geoff Watson, "Ballplayer," ink and watercolor on paper, about 5" x 7," 2018.

I have some earlier sketches of players at bat and some infield action, but I haven't gotten around to photographing them. So for now you'll have to settle for a watercolor sketch of fans in the bleachers.

Geoff Watson, "Softball fans," ink and watercolor on paper, about 5" x 8," 2018.

House in Wesley Heights

I had a great time painting this house today!  The weather was perfect, and the passersby were friendly and supportive.  I'm happy with this painting, but I'd like to try this subject again from a different angle, and I'd like to experiment with softer edges everywhere except at, say, the chimney and circular turret.  Anyway, what a great day to be outdoors!

Geoff Watson, "House in Wesley Heights," oil on canvas panel, 11" x 14," 2018.

More ink studies

I've been using my new fountain pen all over the place -- in the doctor's waiting room, on the softball field, at the shopping mall.  Here are a few more examples.

Geoff Watson, "Heads," ink wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.

Geoff Watson, "Ballplayer," ink and wash on paper, 4" x 6," 2018.

Geoff Watson, "Head," ink wash on paper, 5" x 7," 2018.

Geoff Watson, "Doctor's waiting room," ink wash on paper, 5" x 7," 2018.

Mansion studies

I did this quick oil study of a local mansion today. 

Geoff Watson, "Mansion study," oil on panel, 12" x 16," 2018.

Here's an ink study I did of it beforehand. I think I prefer this to the painting!

Geoff Watson, "Mansion sketch," ink wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.

Behind me was the church I painted last week, so I did a quick ink sketch of it for fun too.  It might have made for a better subject than the mansion, but I wanted to try something different. I may return to the church later, as I do like it a lot.

Geoff Watson, "Church sketch," ink and wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.

Ink sketches

I bought a Sailor fountain pen and decided to give it a whirl at Mazza Gallerie, in the Friendship Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC.  I brought along a waterbrush so that I could create ink washes -- diluted areas of ink used for shading and blending.  I started in the lobby area, which features big comfy chairs.  Lots of people flop in them to snooze or, more commonly, to use their phones.  

Geoff Watson, "Man at Mazza," ink and wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.

The fellow below didn't notice me, but his companion did.  They liked my drawing.  

Geoff Watson, "Another man at Mazza," ink and wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.

Here are a couple more guys with phones.

Geoff Watson, "Man on phone," ink and wash on paper, about 3" x 5," 2018.

Geoff Watson, "Mazza phoning," ink and wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.

I then wandered over to a nearby McDonald's and has a small order of fries.  While eating, I sketched a group of boisterous friends at the table next to mine.

Geoff Watson, "Friends at McDonald's," ink and wash on paper, about 5" x 7," 2018.

I also sketched people waiting in line to order.

Geoff Watson, "Waiting in line at McDonald's," ink and wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.

Then I wandered into TJ Max and sketched a few folks shopping.  Shoppers move around more than I expected, so this was more of a challenge.  Here's a shoe-shopper.

Geoff Watson, "Shoe shopping," ink and wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.

Finally I wandered back to my starting point and sketched one more person in a chair.  It was a nice afternoon!

Geoff Watson, "Lady at Mazza," ink and wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.

Blonde

This portrait was a real challenge, as I had to contend with three light sources: two light bulbs, plus off-and-on sun streaming through translucent window shades.  I wiped it off halfway through and restarted!  I'm afraid some of the shadows are too dark, but I don't like to retouch it once the model is no longer in front of me.  It's still kinda cool.

Geoff Watson, "Blonde," oil on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.

Concord-St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church

I've long wanted to paint this church, and especially its steeple. I set up my easel in the church parking lot yesterday, under a beautiful sunny sky. A few parents came by to pick up kids from school (or was it daycare?), and then I seemed to be completely alone. 

After I'd drawn a couple sketch lines, a large group of elderly folks appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. They walked by me on their way to an exercise class in the social room of the church. They were friendly, and a couple of them asked me how long it would take to make the painting. So I was hoping to show it to them when they finished their exercise.  But when I stopped painting, the exercise group was nowhere to be seen. The group must have exited in a different direction. Rats!

One nice thing about keeping a blog is that it helps me remember little episodes like that. (Like the time my easel blew into a lake.)  I used to dread that passersby would watch me paint. Now I kinda like having an audience!

Geoff Watson, "Concord-St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church," oil on canvas panel, 11" x 14," 2018.

James Gurney's portrait demo

James Gurney has posted the portrait he painted for us this past weekend.  You can find the whole post at his blog here: https://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2018/04/portrait-demo-at-yellow-barn-workshop.html .  He did this picture in half an hour, maybe less, from life.  Pretty amazing.  If you like this, you should take some time to read the rest of his blog.  I think it's the best art blog on the internet.

James Gurney, "Portrait Demo at the Yellow Barn Workshop," gouache, watercolor pencil, and white pencil on paper, 2018.

James Gurney speaks

James Gurney writes my favorite art blog, the "Gurney Journey," updated every day.  You can find it here: http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/ .  The blog explores art technique, art history, the science behind art, and many other subjects.  It also showcases Gurney's bravura draftsmanship and his mastery of many media -- oil, watercolor, gouache, casein, graphite. 

Gurney is best known for his wonderful multi-book series "Dinotopia," but I most enjoy the little gouache and watercolor paintings he does in his small sketchbook.  You can even get apps containing the sketches as well as sound and video relating to the scenes James paints.  Check one out here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/living-sketchbook-vol-1-boyhood-home/id1209783393?ls=1&mt=8

Mr. Gurney was in town today, and he gave a talk at the Yellow Barn Studio here in Glen Echo, Maryland.  It was great!  First he spoke about composition, and he elaborated on some of the themes from his blog -- e.g., that people don't view pictures the way art professors have long assumed, that figures and faces often draw more attention than high-contrast points or "golden mean" spots, etc.  His second talk was about faces -- about the curious ways in which we recognize faces.  (One interesting result of empirical study: women recognize faces better than men, but men recognize vehicles better than women.)  Finally he did a delightful gouache portrait demo of a courtly gentleman dressed in period attire.  If he posts the picture on his blog, I'll link it here.

Anyway, check out the Gurney Journey!

Secret watermarks!

I did these two charcoal figure studies in life class today.  This first one took about 10 minutes. For some reason, some sort of watermark showed through while I was shading!  Can you spot it?  

Geoff Watson, "Emily with secret watermark," charcoal on paper, about 9" x 12," 2018.

For the second, we had only five minutes.  But by golly, when I shaded, I uncovered another secret message!  I have no idea what's going on with the sketchbook I was using!  But I'm gonna keep using it because it's sort of hilarious.  :)

Geoff Watson, "Emily with a secret message," charcoal on paper, about 9" x 12," 2018.

A windy day at the canal

It was a cold, blustery, windy day down by the Potomac River today.  That didn't stop me from getting out there and painting!  Alas, I got cold, so I didn't really finish this piece.  I still had fun with it.

Geoff Watson, "A blustery day," study, oil on canvas panel, 11" x 14," 2018.

Cherry trees just after "peak"

Our cherry trees reached peak bloom yesterday, I'd say.  Today we see more green in the trees, and fallen blossoms at our feet.  They're still pretty glorious, though. 

In this picture, I was interested in the "arch" formed by the trees dueling each other from across the street.  But I also sought to convey the subtle gradations of color on the street and in the sky, and I experimented more with the palette knife. I think I'm just starting to get the hang of these cherry blossoms -- just in time for them to disappear for a year!

Geoff Watson, "Cherry trees just after peak," oil on canvas panel, 16" x 20," 2018.