Armor at the Met

Today the NYC Urban Sketchers met at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to sketch in the Arms & Armor section. This is such a fun place to sketch with so many sketching possibilities. I started with one of the samurai warriors. The museum's policy about materials isn't really enforced in all areas and I have always been able to use any kind of medium in this section...probably because almost everything is behind glass. I used my Lamy pen, a Zebra Fine Line Brush Pen and a few assorted watercolor pencils.

After lunch I headed back to sketch another suit of armor. This one had a lot of detail to it. I liked the hearts by the elbows and knees. I also did a separate helmet since I had a little time left before our "show and tell."

Christmas Trees

I keep searching for an outdoor Christmas tree setup that is different but they are all so similar. This was the display of the trees being sold by the Medford Fire Department in the small park across from their station. I was there when it was closed. Maybe it would have more atmosphere at night. I don't know if I would have time to get back there, but a nocturne would be fun. I used the Zebra Fine Line Brush Pen to sketch this. My friend, Mel, asked how I liked the pen. It has a nice stiff point and makes thin lines easily as well as thicker lines with pressure. It is waterproof which is a plus and it seems to dry quickly. I think we got received one of these pens in our swag bag in Porto because I already had one. I was asked to test a few Zebra items and see how they work in my sketching/plein air activities and send my thoughts back to the company. So far I like this one. I will be interested in seeing how it wears over time. I usually use the micron brush pen but I find the tips on those wear out and then they bend and you don't have the right control.

Poinsettia

When we did the PALS show last weekend we each were given a poinsettia to take home. I figured I should sketch it before it goes the way of the other poinsettias I've been given. This was sketched with a Zebra Fine Line Brush Pen that I've been trying out and then watercolors were added.