Monday, May 16, 2016

Sketch of the Smith College Graduation


As promised yesterday, I worked on the sketch of Caity's graduation to finish it today. This is about 11 x 7 done on sketch paper, not watercolor paper. We got to the college at 8am to get good seats for the ceremony...and we were in the second row behind the graduates. Because we were there so early I had a lot of time to sketch this out before the ceremony started. I started with the building and the tent over the stage. Then I did the stairs and the wall. I left room (too much I think) for where the graduates would be seated. I painted the areas I had sketched. When the graduates and the faculty and honorees came in I quickly sketched that in pencil and then put the sketch away. I wanted to be able to watch the ceremony. Today I inked the graduates and the people on stage and finished painting it. I tried to include Caity's question on her graduation cap, but it is really too tiny to see it.


Here is a photo my brother took of us waiting for the graduation to start. You can see me in the turquoise jacket sketching.



8 comments:

  1. Wow, that's a great sketch, Joan! You captured so much! What a great memento of a special day!

    Tina

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  2. I adore the way you managed to paint her cap! No - it is not too small...I saw it right way. I painted our son's happy-face cap.
    Love your turquoise jacket in the field of neutrals.

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  3. I adore the way you managed to paint her cap! No - it is not too small...I saw it right way. I painted our son's happy-face cap.
    Love your turquoise jacket in the field of neutrals.

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  4. It is a beautiful sketch from your nieces graduation day, the details are wonderful down to her cap!

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  5. What a wonderful gift that will be, so special :)

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  6. Thanks, Tina. It gave me something to do while waiting 2 hrs. lol

    Julie, thanks. Her sister designed the cap for her so it was extra special.

    Celia, thanks so much!

    Sheila, thank you!

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  7. What a wonderful piece to remember the ceremony. I think you did a fabulous job - especially all those tiny people on stage - lol

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  8. This series at graduation is fun and such beautiful sketches. You are a star! Thanks for sharing all your wonderful memories.

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