A few weeks ago I got an e-mail inviting me to join the NYC Urban Sketchers. They get together on Saturdays at 10am, at various locations in the city to sketch. It's a completely free experience and a very diverse group of sketchers. Some are professional artists, most are not. This past weekend I met up with the group in Central Park and completed two sketches.
This was a somewhat intimidating experience for me. I don't consider myself a good draw-er. I never draw nature or architecture and that's what the park had to offer. Also, arting in public is always a bit intimidating because people look! And I can feel their judgment, which makes me supremely nervous. That said, I'm really glad that I rose to the challenge, because I'm (mostly) pleased with both of these spreads.
I'm including some iPhone photos I took of the paintings (mostly for scale and atmosphere), along with a sketch before it was painted. (I should note that the first sketch was painted and then the pen added. The second sketch was drawn and then painted.)
After sketching we all headed out to lunch together and after some good conversation, we traded our books around for all to see. It was lovely. I'm definitely going to meet up with the group again. If you're in NYC and you like to sketch, check out their website and think about coming along!
Thanks for stopping by!
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P.S. The Balzer Designs Monthly Newsletter will go out later today. If you're not already on that mailing list, you can sign-up here.
What a lovely idea. And such fun and vibrant pages 🙂 It makes me in a very good mood.
What a lovely idea. And such fun and vibrant pages 🙂 It makes me in a very good mood.
What a lovely idea. And such fun and vibrant pages 🙂 It makes me in a very good mood.
What a lovely idea. And such fun and vibrant pages 🙂 It makes me in a very good mood.
What a lovely idea. And such fun and vibrant pages 🙂 It makes me in a very good mood.
Julie, I love both sketches… very refreshing! Glad you enjoyed your time.
Julie, I love both sketches… very refreshing! Glad you enjoyed your time.
Julie, I love both sketches… very refreshing! Glad you enjoyed your time.
Julie, I love both sketches… very refreshing! Glad you enjoyed your time.
Julie, I love both sketches… very refreshing! Glad you enjoyed your time.
Oh I love these! You are such a talent!
Oh I love these! You are such a talent!
Oh I love these! You are such a talent!
Oh I love these! You are such a talent!
Oh I love these! You are such a talent!
Beautifully done! And I too get nervous when people watch or eeven LOOK at unfinished work. Glad you jumped in and just did it
Beautifully done! And I too get nervous when people watch or eeven LOOK at unfinished work. Glad you jumped in and just did it
Beautifully done! And I too get nervous when people watch or eeven LOOK at unfinished work. Glad you jumped in and just did it
Beautifully done! And I too get nervous when people watch or eeven LOOK at unfinished work. Glad you jumped in and just did it
Beautifully done! And I too get nervous when people watch or eeven LOOK at unfinished work. Glad you jumped in and just did it
Wow! I love them both! You should do a larger canvas of the second one! As for drawing architecture you did a fantastic job!!! Did you find it easier to draw first or paint first?
Wow! I love them both! You should do a larger canvas of the second one! As for drawing architecture you did a fantastic job!!! Did you find it easier to draw first or paint first?
Wow! I love them both! You should do a larger canvas of the second one! As for drawing architecture you did a fantastic job!!! Did you find it easier to draw first or paint first?
Wow! I love them both! You should do a larger canvas of the second one! As for drawing architecture you did a fantastic job!!! Did you find it easier to draw first or paint first?
Wow! I love them both! You should do a larger canvas of the second one! As for drawing architecture you did a fantastic job!!! Did you find it easier to draw first or paint first?
How can you think you don’t draw well? I guess because you are so comfortable with other mediums and it’s relatively harder. But man, you are wonderful! Your sketches put me right back on that bench in NYC.
How can you think you don’t draw well? I guess because you are so comfortable with other mediums and it’s relatively harder. But man, you are wonderful! Your sketches put me right back on that bench in NYC.
How can you think you don’t draw well? I guess because you are so comfortable with other mediums and it’s relatively harder. But man, you are wonderful! Your sketches put me right back on that bench in NYC.
How can you think you don’t draw well? I guess because you are so comfortable with other mediums and it’s relatively harder. But man, you are wonderful! Your sketches put me right back on that bench in NYC.
How can you think you don’t draw well? I guess because you are so comfortable with other mediums and it’s relatively harder. But man, you are wonderful! Your sketches put me right back on that bench in NYC.
Absolutely wonderful! What a great way to spend an afternoon. Joining you in spirit.
Absolutely wonderful! What a great way to spend an afternoon. Joining you in spirit.
Absolutely wonderful! What a great way to spend an afternoon. Joining you in spirit.
Absolutely wonderful! What a great way to spend an afternoon. Joining you in spirit.
Absolutely wonderful! What a great way to spend an afternoon. Joining you in spirit.
I love, love your drawings. You should do more building work.
I love, love your drawings. You should do more building work.
I love, love your drawings. You should do more building work.
I love, love your drawings. You should do more building work.
I love, love your drawings. You should do more building work.
This was a fascinating post Julie! I know exactly what you mean- it’s funny because having a blog means your art is “public” but a blog is deceptively private- we have control over what we post. I love the idea of stumbling across you water coloring away as I walk in the park- not that I would but it’s nice to think it’s a possibility. I never look at urban sketchers or painters with judgement! They always bring up admiration and wonder- that they can sit there and work in full view of everyone. I’m currently trying to work in a space full of kids who ask a million questions- I find it very inhibiting so I’m glad to see this- as always you are working on a much higher level than I but the issue you raise here really strikes a cord right now..
This was a fascinating post Julie! I know exactly what you mean- it’s funny because having a blog means your art is “public” but a blog is deceptively private- we have control over what we post. I love the idea of stumbling across you water coloring away as I walk in the park- not that I would but it’s nice to think it’s a possibility. I never look at urban sketchers or painters with judgement! They always bring up admiration and wonder- that they can sit there and work in full view of everyone. I’m currently trying to work in a space full of kids who ask a million questions- I find it very inhibiting so I’m glad to see this- as always you are working on a much higher level than I but the issue you raise here really strikes a cord right now..
This was a fascinating post Julie! I know exactly what you mean- it’s funny because having a blog means your art is “public” but a blog is deceptively private- we have control over what we post. I love the idea of stumbling across you water coloring away as I walk in the park- not that I would but it’s nice to think it’s a possibility. I never look at urban sketchers or painters with judgement! They always bring up admiration and wonder- that they can sit there and work in full view of everyone. I’m currently trying to work in a space full of kids who ask a million questions- I find it very inhibiting so I’m glad to see this- as always you are working on a much higher level than I but the issue you raise here really strikes a cord right now..
This was a fascinating post Julie! I know exactly what you mean- it’s funny because having a blog means your art is “public” but a blog is deceptively private- we have control over what we post. I love the idea of stumbling across you water coloring away as I walk in the park- not that I would but it’s nice to think it’s a possibility. I never look at urban sketchers or painters with judgement! They always bring up admiration and wonder- that they can sit there and work in full view of everyone. I’m currently trying to work in a space full of kids who ask a million questions- I find it very inhibiting so I’m glad to see this- as always you are working on a much higher level than I but the issue you raise here really strikes a cord right now..
This was a fascinating post Julie! I know exactly what you mean- it’s funny because having a blog means your art is “public” but a blog is deceptively private- we have control over what we post. I love the idea of stumbling across you water coloring away as I walk in the park- not that I would but it’s nice to think it’s a possibility. I never look at urban sketchers or painters with judgement! They always bring up admiration and wonder- that they can sit there and work in full view of everyone. I’m currently trying to work in a space full of kids who ask a million questions- I find it very inhibiting so I’m glad to see this- as always you are working on a much higher level than I but the issue you raise here really strikes a cord right now..
Beautiful!
Beautiful!
Beautiful!
Beautiful!
Beautiful!
Julie, I totally love your sketches! I think you draw very well.
Would you ever consider doing an online class on doing sketchbook work? For those of us who are “non-drawers”?
I really hope so!
Julie, I totally love your sketches! I think you draw very well.
Would you ever consider doing an online class on doing sketchbook work? For those of us who are “non-drawers”?
I really hope so!
Julie, I totally love your sketches! I think you draw very well.
Would you ever consider doing an online class on doing sketchbook work? For those of us who are “non-drawers”?
I really hope so!
Julie, I totally love your sketches! I think you draw very well.
Would you ever consider doing an online class on doing sketchbook work? For those of us who are “non-drawers”?
I really hope so!
Julie, I totally love your sketches! I think you draw very well.
Would you ever consider doing an online class on doing sketchbook work? For those of us who are “non-drawers”?
I really hope so!
Those are incredible Julie. I especially love the one with the view of the trees. I only visited Central Park once and the trees and sun bathers are what I remember the most.
Those are incredible Julie. I especially love the one with the view of the trees. I only visited Central Park once and the trees and sun bathers are what I remember the most.
Those are incredible Julie. I especially love the one with the view of the trees. I only visited Central Park once and the trees and sun bathers are what I remember the most.
Those are incredible Julie. I especially love the one with the view of the trees. I only visited Central Park once and the trees and sun bathers are what I remember the most.
Those are incredible Julie. I especially love the one with the view of the trees. I only visited Central Park once and the trees and sun bathers are what I remember the most.
These are wonderful sketches. I can’t imagine why you think you can’t draw.
These are wonderful sketches. I can’t imagine why you think you can’t draw.
These are wonderful sketches. I can’t imagine why you think you can’t draw.
These are wonderful sketches. I can’t imagine why you think you can’t draw.
These are wonderful sketches. I can’t imagine why you think you can’t draw.
Your sketches are magical! Great job, love your art, thanks for sharing!
Your sketches are magical! Great job, love your art, thanks for sharing!
Your sketches are magical! Great job, love your art, thanks for sharing!
Your sketches are magical! Great job, love your art, thanks for sharing!
Your sketches are magical! Great job, love your art, thanks for sharing!
Wow…NYC girl here & you totally nailed it!! BEAUTIFUL!!
Wow…NYC girl here & you totally nailed it!! BEAUTIFUL!!
Wow…NYC girl here & you totally nailed it!! BEAUTIFUL!!
Wow…NYC girl here & you totally nailed it!! BEAUTIFUL!!
Wow…NYC girl here & you totally nailed it!! BEAUTIFUL!!
These are fabulous!!!!! LOVE this type of sketching and journal keeping.
These are fabulous!!!!! LOVE this type of sketching and journal keeping.
These are fabulous!!!!! LOVE this type of sketching and journal keeping.
These are fabulous!!!!! LOVE this type of sketching and journal keeping.
These are fabulous!!!!! LOVE this type of sketching and journal keeping.
Wow!!! All I can say is wow! Your sketching is amazing and so very inspiring!!
Wow!!! All I can say is wow! Your sketching is amazing and so very inspiring!!
Wow!!! All I can say is wow! Your sketching is amazing and so very inspiring!!
Wow!!! All I can say is wow! Your sketching is amazing and so very inspiring!!
Wow!!! All I can say is wow! Your sketching is amazing and so very inspiring!!
Julie, I have always admired your work. Your freedom to express yourself is a wonderful gift. Your art always looks like it flows naturally from your heart and mind. As I practice and learn I hope that I will experience that freedom as well.
Thank you so much for your generous sharing of your work, your process, and your growth as an artist.
Julie, I have always admired your work. Your freedom to express yourself is a wonderful gift. Your art always looks like it flows naturally from your heart and mind. As I practice and learn I hope that I will experience that freedom as well.
Thank you so much for your generous sharing of your work, your process, and your growth as an artist.
Julie, I have always admired your work. Your freedom to express yourself is a wonderful gift. Your art always looks like it flows naturally from your heart and mind. As I practice and learn I hope that I will experience that freedom as well.
Thank you so much for your generous sharing of your work, your process, and your growth as an artist.
Julie, I have always admired your work. Your freedom to express yourself is a wonderful gift. Your art always looks like it flows naturally from your heart and mind. As I practice and learn I hope that I will experience that freedom as well.
Thank you so much for your generous sharing of your work, your process, and your growth as an artist.
Julie, I have always admired your work. Your freedom to express yourself is a wonderful gift. Your art always looks like it flows naturally from your heart and mind. As I practice and learn I hope that I will experience that freedom as well.
Thank you so much for your generous sharing of your work, your process, and your growth as an artist.
I love your sketches! I look at a lot of art and I just love the way you capture urban scenes. I especially like the way you represented the people! Nice, very nice. I’m a fan!
I love your sketches! I look at a lot of art and I just love the way you capture urban scenes. I especially like the way you represented the people! Nice, very nice. I’m a fan!
I love your sketches! I look at a lot of art and I just love the way you capture urban scenes. I especially like the way you represented the people! Nice, very nice. I’m a fan!
I love your sketches! I look at a lot of art and I just love the way you capture urban scenes. I especially like the way you represented the people! Nice, very nice. I’m a fan!
I love your sketches! I look at a lot of art and I just love the way you capture urban scenes. I especially like the way you represented the people! Nice, very nice. I’m a fan!
Thankyou Julie, for sharing your beautiful art, I feel the same way and feel very uncomfortable when I paint or draw around others. I’m glad you did it though, the art speaks for itself. Very beautiful, I love the colours and your lettering too!
Thankyou Julie, for sharing your beautiful art, I feel the same way and feel very uncomfortable when I paint or draw around others. I’m glad you did it though, the art speaks for itself. Very beautiful, I love the colours and your lettering too!
Thankyou Julie, for sharing your beautiful art, I feel the same way and feel very uncomfortable when I paint or draw around others. I’m glad you did it though, the art speaks for itself. Very beautiful, I love the colours and your lettering too!
Thankyou Julie, for sharing your beautiful art, I feel the same way and feel very uncomfortable when I paint or draw around others. I’m glad you did it though, the art speaks for itself. Very beautiful, I love the colours and your lettering too!
Thankyou Julie, for sharing your beautiful art, I feel the same way and feel very uncomfortable when I paint or draw around others. I’m glad you did it though, the art speaks for itself. Very beautiful, I love the colours and your lettering too!