Appliances not included
Posted: November 14, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized 20 CommentsIt takes patience to find a parking spot with a good view for sketching. By good view I mean something that will remain unobstructed for a period of time. I take great care to find these spots, sometimes circling a given block several times in hopes that one will become available. Ideally these spots are at the end of a block with nothing in front of them, or at the very least just behind a bus stop. Even if the bus arrives while I’m sketching I know it won’t be there for long. Today I found a wonderful spot in back of a driveway entrance on rue Villeray, with a view of the tall and short steeples of Église de Notre-Dame du Très-Saint-Rosaire set against a giant white cloud. About five minutes into the sketch, a pickup truck loaded with used appliances pulled up in front of me — in the spot that was supposed to remain free because it was a driveway entrance — and stayed there. And stayed there. And stayed there. And that’s why the lower right side of the sketch is blank.
In the end, it may be a good thing. I kind of like the composition the way it is. And here is the truck, in case you are interested.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
I like it this way very much and am working on learn in this kind of “unfinished” or “partial” composition. Thanks for this one. I love your work.
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Thanks so much for letting me know Suzanne!
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what a beautiful sense of humour! I love how the composition turned out with the extra attention to the tower that may not have gotten that much detail had the truck not been there.
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Thanks TR. You’re right, I might not have worked on the tower as much if I had filled up the whole page. It’s a reminder to me to create a focus in the sketch.
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I like the feel of the composition… white space is good! However, I don’t understand why you didn’t do a quick pencil sketch of the appliance truck… that is better than sitting there getting annoyed. : )
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I did get annoyed but I didn’t sit there. I actually got out of the car, went into a café and did another sketch. I just didn’t have time to finish it because I had to get back to school for an afternoon class.
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All I can say is, “Yup!” Who has not experienced this moment? You made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, Shari.
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This has happened to all of us Lee. More times than I can count in my sketches. It always makes for a good story, if nothing else.
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But you made a beautiful Sketch. Love the story
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Thanks Paula. Good stories are sometimes more valuable than good sketches.
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bummer! Your sketch is excellent though, as it is. Maybe you should buy some of those red construction cones and put them down where you need unobstructed views 🙂
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Great idea Carolyn. I’ll add that to the list of things to keep in my car while I sketch!!
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Ha ha, I love it. Hope it wasn’t terribly frustrating. Also like the idea of you carrying red construction cones around in the car. But it always amazes me how you do get around. Good thing the price of gas is going down! And it seems to me, although you ‘retired’ the daily sketch, you are still delivering daily. It is such a treat to me. Keep it coming.
Thanks, Shari.
Sue
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Thanks Sue. I don’t often drive out of my way for the sketch. I try to include it on my way to or from somewhere, usually work. This semester I have some long breaks between classes so I get out then.
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Hi Shari, I have just discovered your amazing blog via Laura Moore’s blog. Your work is stunning and very inspiring – I will back to visit often!
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Thanks so much for letting me know Wendy!
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Your sketch paintings often remind me that I don’t have to put everything I see onto the paper. A great reminder and thank you for that. I once had an instructor who made me put details from my reference photos into my paintings that I wanted to leave out, preferring looser and more transparent to the full page, everything inch with paint. Funny what sticks with us after instruction but I always have to pause when that old thought pops into my brain, stop and do it the way my hand tells me. What you have here inspires me :: lynn
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I’m so glad you let me know Lynn. I think leaving things out often leaves a better composition, don’t you?
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I love all your sketches, I love watercolor painting. Your work is so nice.
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Thanks so much for letting me know Rene.
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