Buttnekkiddoodles

 
Having gone to the Palette & Chisel for well over a decade, I’ve seen and drawn my share of models sitting in a chair with grey fabric draped behind them and way over lit. So I actually enjoy drawing the artists in the studio at work. They constantly shift, some leave early and I find the array and cluster of them far more interesting.
Draw with the usual tools I’ve been using for years.

Last night was date night with G Babe (second night in a row). We went to the Harris Theater to hear the Grant Park Orchestra perform Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Carl Maria von Weber’s Overture to Oberon, Ralph Vaughn Williams Serenade to Music, Shostakovich’s Suite from the Incidental Music to the film Hamlet (WOW!! I enjoyed this the most of the evening’s offerings), and Tchaikovsksy’s Hamlet Fantasy Overture after Shakespeare which conductor Carlos Kalamar introduced by saying,” after you have had your fill of a big meal, sometimes you’re in the mood to have a big piece of chocolate cake, with lots of whipped cream.”
I managed a few sketches throughout the concert. Which, included the couple in the row before us. The lady in the hat appeared most drowsy and even let her head sag onto her companion’s shoulder while resting her chin on the palm of her hand. Given the way her mouth drooped open I feel confident in posting that my subject took a kitty nap. Yeeeeesss you did dear. YES YOU DID! Disinterested or exhausted from a fatiguing day taking in the delights of downtown Chicago, and a flute or two of Prosecco, (I’m permitting harmless speculation here), our patrons of the arts chose to leave early. Harrumph! They didn’t even make it to Mendelssohn’s rousing Wedding March!!!! Not to mention Shostakovich truly fabuloso ????????? !!!! film score.
Well, me and the G Babe, and the bald dude two rows in front of me, as well as the stylish lady (more speculation) with the satin top and page boy haircut more than made up for our tuckered twosome in enjoyment. Props to the seasoned cellist in the orchestra.
 
Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens on Japanese Mulberry paper in a sketchbook made for me by Eugene Wooddell Jr. I especially like the new Fude nib Pitt Pens which have a bit of flex to them and were used for all the contour work.

1.  Had a fun time out with the Every Other Sunday drawing group today. We went to the Chicago Cultural Center and focused on The newly restored hall and rotunda, originally designed by Shepley Rutan and Coolidge; the 15.4 million dollar renovation was lead by Gunny Harboe
   WHY: A prime example of superior architectural ornament, the space is loaded with meaning. Additionally, some of the work was restored using photos of the original and creating 3-d printed copies!
   I’ve often preferred to hang in the fabulous South Hall so today I was fired up to give the north hall it’s due.

 
Fountain pen, DeAtramentis Document Brown ink, Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens on Tomoe River Paper.

 
Now I’m not sure of the source of this eye gouging coat, but I was sketching someone else when I happened to turn and see her wrapped like a chevroned cocoon. Jumped subject’s immediately and drew what just might have been the striped tail from a very, very large Coatimundi.
Fountain pen and Pitt Artist Pens on Tomoe River Paper.

 
Went to North Pond late this afternoon to check on the Renovation Project and saw the dredger with pontoons setting partially in the pond and evidence of deep tracks in the muddy banks. Had my subject so got a choice seat in the shade. I was pretty much finishing up the drawing with some background and final touches on the mud troughs in the foreground when I heard someone approach behind me making a call of sorts. I glanced backwards and dude with a backpack on a bike was lookin’ out over the pond. Out on the pond a swarm of Canada Goose paddled in my direction.
“Hey BUDDY!! You’re in their way”, sez the huffy fellow on the bike, whom I had seen throwing some sort of feed at them before.
I knew they had plenty of space to pass to my left, and thought I’d rather like having them troop past. Plus with the late afternoon light rapidly changing was intent on finishing up. He gruffly urged me to move, I insisted he had other places along the bank to call ‘em up so I informed him I was fine where I was. As the geese waddled by he called me a name. Yes, I called him a couple two-three in return, suggested an act he could perform solo and returned to finish my drawing.
I promise I’ll be more agreeable next time.
Fountain pen and Pitt Artist Pens on a Stillman & Birn Nova series Beige sketchbook.