Thursday, March 5, 2015

Sketching at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens - Part I

Last Saturday the NYC Urban Sketchers went to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens to sketch.

On the way in you have to stop and admire the Japanese pond no matter the weather...a little snow and ice just add to the beauty of it. I love the icy white against the red!


Entering the Conservatory I made a right and headed into the Aquatic House, home to ponds, a bog, orchids, waterlilies, and tropical plants en masse. It is a challenge to figure out what to include and what to leave out...all the while dodging the drops of water falling from the condensation on the ceiling and the plants. It was cold outside but tropically warm in there.


I needed a dry climate next so I headed downstairs to the Desert Pavillion. Another sketcherl kindly shared the steps he was occupying so I could sketch some of the cacti and succulents near us.


Lunchtime is always a good time to sketch people so I sketched Donna, and Michael.

I got to sketch Jim and Mark too before heading back into the conservatory to sketch.



8 comments:

  1. I think your more rapid portraits of other sketchers are even better than your longer ones, Joan. You really capture the spirit of your friends when you sketch them in situ like this. Love the glorious plantscapes!

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  2. Your sketch in the Desert Pavilion is painted beautifully Joan!!! I love the splash of blues! You guys pick the best places to sketch!

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  3. What a great place to meet on such a cold day. Nice to be able to sketch with others too. You're right that red against the snow is gorgeous. Love your paintings you did during your sketch outing.

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  4. Ah, found your own personal blog. I already commented on this post on the urban sketchers blog, but want to say again that I love your sketches--especially the desert plants one and the portraits. You clearly think through what to sketch in terms of making a good composition.

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  5. Ah, found your own personal blog. I already commented on this post on the urban sketchers blog, but want to say again that I love your sketches--especially the desert plants one and the portraits. You clearly think through what to sketch in terms of making a good composition.

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  6. The nature paintings are so vibrant. I love them; and of course the people are my kind of thing and I love them too! Happy drawing!

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  7. Thanks so much Sherry, Carol, Hilda, Ann, Mary, and Lynn.

    Mary, thanks for coming over to visit from the urban sketchers blog.

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