Beach Sketches

Yesterday I took a ride out to Dune Road in the Hamptons. It is a barrier beach that runs from Westhampton through East Quogue, Quogue, and Hampton Bays. This part of Long Island has been a favorite of mine since I was in my 20s and I always tell Jerry that when I die I want my ashes sprinkled there. Along the road are million dollar mansions, some condos, a few resorts as well as a few small cottages. It is a beautiful area but at high tide it is very often flooded in spots. Beach parking in the summer is expensive unless you are a resident, but at this time of year you can park easily. I planned on parking at Ponquogue Beach because the parking lot has great views across the dunes and bay and a pavilion with tables where you can sometimes be sheltered from the wind. Just my luck...the parking lot was closed because they are rebuilding the beach pavilion. I ended up driving along heading back west and checking out every parking lot along the way. Most spots had no view of the water unless you were out of the car, and it was too windy yesterday to do that. Finally in Quogue I found a small lot that is more of a street.  It went up to Dolphin Beach where there was a small opening in the dunes. I could just see the water from my car...perfect! When I finished my watercolor I turned the car around to leave and noticed that the view looking toward the bay was nice too, so I did that view as well.

Inktober - Day 2 - Old Building and Waves

For today's Inktober sketch I went to Islip down along one of the canals where the fishing boats are. I couldn't find a view of a boat that I liked but this very worn building caught my eye. I used a twig and ink for this sketch following the method taught in the workshop I took in Chicago. KK made it look so easy...but it isn't. I like the textured effect it gives. I'll have to do more of the Inktober sketches this way so that I practice this method more. This is the perfect time.  #inktober #inktober2017

On Friday I drove to Ponquogue Beach in Hampton Bays. It was a very windy day and the water was still on the rough side from the remains of the storms that were in the Atlantic. I tried to find a spot out of the wind and where I could be elevated to see the water. It was too windy for my easel and the only place I could find that was high enough was sitting on the top edge of a bench that was against the pavilion wall. So I perched there, but it didn't give me any place to rest any of my materials and I had to hold everything. Needless to say, I did a small painting (5 x 7). I was happy with the way the spray of the waves came out.

Beach Sketches

The other day I took a ride out to the Hamptons along the south shore of Long Island and went to Dune Road. From the parking lot of Ponquogue Beach I had a slightly raised view of the area. These were painted in my car. First I painted the dunes with a view going down Dune Road.

Then I turned the car around and faced the dunes. There were great shadows from all the dune fences.

I don't know if you've seen the drawing event/challenge that has been posted by Marc Taro Holmes and Liz Steele. It is called One Week 100 People, and the goal is to draw 100 people in one week, from March 6-10. They are doing only the weekdays, but Marc said people could use the whole week if needed. If you participate you can share your sketches on the social media of your choice using the hashtag #OneWeek100People2017.

 I am hoping to participate and am thinking about the best places to go to find lots of people and figures. It means drawing about 20 people per day...not impossible, but not easy either. It will help to use a medium that is easy to work with and fast. Hopefully at the end of the week our people sketches will have improved immensely.