The White Dove of the Desert x 3
Posted: February 16, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized 22 CommentsSan Xavier del Bac Mission, situated a little south of Tucson on Tohono O’odham land, can be spotted from miles away. Its bright white towers can be seen from miles away, hence the nickname “The White Dove of the Desert”. I drew it three times on my recent visit to Arizona — once on my own and twice with groups of students. And I never got tired of drawing it.
The first visit was to prepare myself for teaching at that location AND to have time to tour it, which I rarely get to do during a workshop. Sketching it gave me a little time to understand the white octagonal towers, the Spanish Colonial architecture and the ornate sandstone facade.
The second time I sketched it was a little easier, although it wasn’t as dramatic with a backdrop of clouds. It’s a wonderful place to draw and we were fortunate to meet with the director of the foundation, who gave us a little history and background of the decades-long restoration of the church’s frescoed and stencilled interior, which you must see if you visit.
On the third visit, we had blue skies, more tourists and the same strays dogs as on other outings. You might think that drawing it three times would get monotonous, but that was hardly the case. It’s beautiful, complex, dramatic and most of all, welcoming. That’s all a sketcher could ask for.
This really is a beautiful place to visit, and I always find the Spanish influences in the Southwest fascinating, and the Spanish influences on the West Coast along with the Russian ones as well. You sketches do it justice and the ink lines and color give a sense of its structure.
Last year when I was there, as few students told me to visit but we never found the time to get there. This time we had a car, and it was high on my list. I’m so glad I did, and very happy I took my groups there too. Everyone loved it, both inside and out.
What an evocative name. I’ll add it to my must visit list. All three are as fresh and appealing as all your work.
Thanks Ashley! I wish we had visited it with the group last year. You would have loved to draw it too.
Beautiful! Never been to Tucson. I don’t think I would have the patience to do the same rather complicated painting 3 times, Would to be able to go there however and try once. I miss the Southwest.
Judy, I’m a photographer here in Tucson. I have photographed the White Dove many times, and I’m sure I will continue to do so. Patience is not an issue.
I would love to see your photos! Do you have a website?
Shari, I have a blog: kenneturner.com. You can search for San Xavier del bac mission or scroll down. I’m a retired educator and photographer; we moved to Tucson in 2010 from Houston. In my free time, I’m a volunteer naturalist at Sabino Canyon. I love your art and have been following your blog for several years.
It just gets better and better😄
Sent from my iPad Lori Bryan Zajic All things interior
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Beautiful paintings, Shari! And a wonderful, magical place! Somewhere I have photos of The White Dove before its restoration, from an age before digital photography. If I can locate them, I will scan and send them to you.
What a treat to have been able to draw it on three different occasions. I like seeing the subtle differences in your painting each time. Bravo!
Thanks Joan!
Excellent Drawings of San Xavier Mission. I really like how you captured the people.
I’ve been there and it is as beautiful as your drawings indicate. Just lovely!
I’m glad you’ve visited there too!
I find that I sometimes will draw or paint the same subject many times. Finding a subject fascinating is the attraction to “draw or paint it one more time!” Your paintings, so beautiful, encourage me to keep on keeping on.
The inclusion of people is wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Bernadette, as you know I draw many things over and over again too! Thanks for having a look.
What gorgeous three paintings these are! You captured the beauty of this Dove in the Desert 🌵 with accuracy. Thank you for sharing this gem. I have lived in Tucson all my life and never ceases to be amazed visiting San Xavier. You are amazing Shari.
Thanks so much for writing Carolyn. That was my first visit but it won’t be my last! You live in a beautiful place!
Hi Shari, I wanted to comment on your blog via word.press but it does not function… even after several attempts.Thus I do it this way. I really love your three versions of the White Dove of the desert. I visited that place years ago. You can really tell from you sketches/paintings the weather atmosphere and how little things change the scenery. And I can learn a lot from just looking at your brilliant work. I have one question: How did you manage to get exactly the same dimensions and proportions regarding the wall, the church, the arch etc. in every sketch? Kind regards, Bettina Bettina Winkler Ricarda-Huch-Weg 21 D-41469 Neuss Tel. +49 171 54 53 440 Germany
I just love this subject. Can you explain a little how you drew it? Did you start with pencil? What was your starting point? Did you use a ruler at all? It reminds me of my all time favorite book “The Sketch in Color” by Robert S Oliver.
Barbara, I have that book and I love it too. In answer to your question: I did not use a ruler. I rarely do. With practice, my lines get straighter. In this version I did do a little pencil first. But I just recorded a video for YouTube where I draw this again in ink and watercolour. I will let you know when it is up on my channel so you can watch it. Thanks so much for writing.