I started a plein air painting of these benches near my house, but thunderstorms interrupted my session. Here's the lay-in, after about 45 minutes of sketching and fussing. I did start to add some color after this point, but I got chased away by the rain. I plan to return tomorrow or Monday to continue.
Geoff Watson, "Benches," in progress, oil on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.
It's so fun to sketch at the swimming pool! It's relaxing and never too hot. Today was rather cloudy, but this lifeguard still had a few swimmers to watch.
Geoff Watson, "Swimming pool sketch," ink and wash on paper, 4" x 8," 2018.
This is too late for Memorial Day, so we'll consider it a warm-up for Independence Day! I just felt like painting the U.S. flag today, so I did. I had to wait for the breeze to die down so that I could draw it correctly. I used ink and gouache -- opaque watercolor.
Geoff Watson, "Stars and Stripes," gouache and ink on paper, about 4" x 4," 2018.
Today was my last life session until September. I didn't finish this little oil sketch, but I made good progress on it.
Geoff Watson, "Sheba looking right," oil on canvas panel, 11" x 14," 2018.
I had another lovely day at Saints Peter & Paul's Antiochian Orthodox Church, this time including a fascinating meeting with the parish priest who leads the Church. He showed me the interior of the temple, and it was glorious. Then I returned to my spot in the parking lot and did my best to improve the painting. I still didn't finish; I'm going to let it dry so I can add the crosses, for example. But it's getting there.
Geoff Watson, "Saint Peter & Paul's," in progress, oil on panel, 12" x 16," 2018.
I went swimming today, and I noticed this group of women by the baby pool. One dad did show up for a brief time, but other than him it was all women. I did this quick pen-and-watercolor sketch of the scene.
Geoff Watson, "Women at the pool," ink and watercolor on paper, 5" x 8," 2018.
After a day off for my daughter's graduation -- woo! -- I returned to Saints Peter and Paul's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Potomac. I improved the drawing, though some verticals are still out of alignment. I hope to return at least one more time to fix those, improve the trees, add a cloud or two, paint some more windows and window trim, and -- above all -- to add the crosses to the domes.
Geoff Watson, "Saint Peter & Paul's," work in progress, oil on panel, 12" x 16," 2018.
Yesterday I started a painting of this impressive church in Potomac, Maryland. I set up in the parking lot behind the church because I liked the light here best. I arrived late, so I didn't finish. Here is my initial drawing, about 30 minutes in.
Geoff Watson, "Saints Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church," in progress, oil sketch on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.
Next, here's the painting with the darks blocked in. A bit less than an hour in.
Geoff Watson, "Saints Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church," in progress, oil on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.
As I was getting ready to block in the lights, the sun suddenly came out. I'd been planning on an overcast-day composition, so I wasn't sure whether to change my plans. I sketched in some lights and decided to decide when I return to the scene early next week. In the meantime, here's where I left the picture. I've left empty white spaces for trees. Also, some of my verticals are so crooked they look like they were drawn by a drunk. I'll fix that next time.
Geoff Watson, "Saints Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church," in progress, oil on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.
Here's a look at my setup in all its glory. My traveling road show.
Geoff Watson, "My plein air setup," iPhone photo, 2018.
My family finally got to see our beloved Washington Capitals capture the Stanley Cup last night! I've sketched a few Caps fans in honor of the occasion. First, the biggest Caps fan I know, my daughter. I drew this a few days ago, when the Capitals' fortunes were more in doubt.
Geoff Watson, "World's Best Capitals Fan," ink wash on paper, 5" x 8," 2018.
Next, a couple random fans who rode the Metro with us back from Game 4, which the Capitals won 6-2. These fans did not sit very still, so these sketches are rather ... sketchy.
Geoff Watson, "Capitals fans on the Metro," ink on paper, 5" x 8," 2018.
I've been to several golf major championships, but I'd never been to the finals of any professional team sport like baseball, football, basketball, hockey, or soccer. So seeing a Stanley Cup playoff game in person was a thrill. It was even more thrilling when my team won! Alas, I did only one sketch of the proceedings, and it's not very good; we had nosebleed seats, and I was juggling drinks and fries and worrying about dropping my pen and sketchbook. But I WAS THERE, so I'm posting this lousy sketch to prove it. :)
Geoff Watson, "Lousy sketch of the Capital One Center before the start of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals," ink on paper, 5" x 8," 2018.
I wandered around in the heat looking for a spot to paint, got overheated, and decided to go swim instead. Fortunately I had my pens and watercolors with me! I did a few quick sketches and watercolors in my sketchbook. Here's a page from the book -- with a couple of doodles edited out.
Geoff Watson, "Pool sketches," ink wash on paper, 5" x 8," 2018.
The rain held off today, and I managed to get in 2-3 hours of plein air painting. I'm really out of practice, as I've been doing mostly pen-and-ink and watercolor work for the past month, since I can do those things indoors (away from all the rain!). So I set my expectations low and resolved to do a loose urban sketch.
The painting depicts the Friendship Heights metro stop on the DC-Maryland border. I was most interested in the area on the left, and I should've zoomed the picture in more on that; I didn't spend much time at all on the right half of the painting. I still like it.
Geoff Watson, "Friendship Heights Metro," oil on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.
The highlight of this swim practice was when the coaches insisted that little kids demonstrate dance moves while standing on the starter block. It was so cute! But dancers are tough to draw, so I focused instead on the coaches, who mostly stayed still.
Geoff Watson, "Swim team practice," watercolor and ink on paper, 5" x 8," 2018.
I spent the afternoon at the pool and did some sketching and watercoloring. Apologies for the glare in this first photo. I can't re-take the photograph because I accidentally blotted the picture after I photographed it! So this will have to do.
Geoff Watson, "Pool sketch," watercolor and pen on paper, 3" x 8," 2018.
I did an ink wash sketch, using blue ink, of a woman sitting at the pool.
Geoff Watson, "Sketch at the pool," ink wash on paper, 4" x 5," 2018.
And a lifeguard. It's a bit out of proportion, but it's still kind of fun.
Geoff Watson, "Sketch of a lifeguard," ink and watercolor on paper, 4" x 6," 2018.
Bethesda Lane is a lovely pedestrian mall sandwiched between two busy streets in downtown Bethesda. Its defining feature is this graceful arch. People come to eat at the various outdoor cafes or just to sit and relax.
Last week I did a watercolor study at this spot, and today I returned to try my luck with oils. I had an easier time drawing the scene this time, and I was happy to get some people into the action. Unfortunately it was rather a dreary day, and the lighting conditions weren't great. I'd like to return one more time to try to capture more vibrant colors. I love this spot, so I shall return!
Geoff Watson, "Bethesda Lane," oil on panel, 16" x 20," 2018.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.