many switches

many switches, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

There is a little takeout place near my house that always has the same people inside. I go there when I feel like I will bleed burrito and can not bring myself to go to the mexican place up the street another consecutive night. I sketched this at the counter while I waited for my order, marveling how many unlabeled switches lined the wall. How many lights and appliances could these possibly run? How do the little old waitresses remember which switch enables/disables what? Sweet mystery of life, at last I've found you.
In related news, I love my new travel watercolor set with a passion I usually reserve for animate objects.

Sketchcrawl Three

We couldn't have ordered a better day for Sketchcrawl this weekend. I had heard rumors of clouds and various north bay nastiness but we had nothing but sun sun sun all day. Forty artists from various locations met at the ferry building at ten a.m. on Saturday. From there we hiked and drew/painted down the Embarcadero, up the Filbert steps to Coit tower, had lunch in North Beach, loafed at Aquatic Park, ice cream at Ghiradelli Square and all met back at a brewery to share beer and the days sketchbooks. Met alot of nice new people that were open to share their sketches with me and the group. I had a great time within the group and when off on my own soaking in the sun, drawing and people watching. A big thank you to Enrico Casarosa for organizing this event and even printing Sketchcrawl shirts. Another thank you to Ronnie DelCarmen and all the participants who shared pencil lines and conversation round the table. Sigh.
Here are a few bits from my day's book.

girl and boat

girl and boat, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

ninety one

ninety one, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

cyclist

cyclist, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

seated sunner

seated sunner, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

the market

the market, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

werky

werky, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

Been much workiness lately. But very much looking forward to Sketchcrawl this Saturday. If you are in the bay area and have arms you should join in on the drawing and painting fun. There will be walking, yes... walking. When was the last time you did that?
If you aren't in the Bayeria, draw any way, walk if you must.

boardwalkers

boardwalkers, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

My grandmother lives near the boardwalk in Asbury Park. I have alot of memories of the waterfront there, fragmented pictures of my parents are forever associated with that stretch of sand. I hadn't been there in a very long time, so under the semi-guise of doing research for a new book, I went and spent a week in New Jersey.
When I finally made it to the boardwalk on the last night of my visit, I found that the once vibrant buildings that housed the arcade and the merry-go-round (where my parents met) on the boardwalk were deserted and barely standing. I walked up and down the beach with my Mom and Dad in the cold ocean air and wondered why it felt like we were the last people on Earth.
I still have dreams about the boardwalk, twisted versions, a mix of fact and what I remember it to be. They never make sense after I wake up, but then rarely do any of my dreams.

boardwalk

boardwalk, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

pg 1, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

My girlfriend took a flight recently so I made her a little book to read while she worked on her flying. Here is the first ten pages, let me know if you wanna see some more.

pg 2

pg 2, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

pg 3

pg 3, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

pg 4

pg 4, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

pg 5

pg 5, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

pg 6

pg 6, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

pg 7

pg 7, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

pg 8

pg 8, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

pg 9

pg 9, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

pg 10

pg 10, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

gift wrap

gift wrap, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

I always make or enhance my gift wrapping for friends with sketchbook material. This is a bit that didn't survive the cutting and folding stage. Needless to say, my origami skills are sorely lacking so I've learned to not overdo it and just focus on which little drawing goes best with the recipient.

high tide

high tide, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

This little guy was in the corner of a comic page I did fairly recently. I was talking to my mother on the phone, telling her how much gray hair I have when I realized that I subconciously doodled this panel into the page. I ruined the continuity of the comic I was working on but I figure there must be a way to fit this water scene into a story set in an inner city. Darn grey hair.
I added in a quick watercolor touch just for the fun.

ctown1

ctown1, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

ctown2

ctown2, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

Global Sketchcrawl #3 is set for May 21st. Sketchcrawlians share a complete day of drawing in a mad marathon across their respective landscapes meeting, swapping inspirations, sharing techniques and well, drawing. I participated in Sketchcrawl #2 right here in jolly old San Francisco. I had to go to work about half-way through (bummer) so I have made arrangements to not miss a minute of the next one. It was great to see a whole gaggle of artists, students and sketchers meet where the main influence is a passion for drawing! So if you are interested ( and you know you are) please meet up with a group in your area, or take your own marathon and share with the rest of us. Savor warm feelies that others across the globe are drawing with you.
These grabs are from the Chinatown portion of SC2.

Operation leave no paper unmarked underway

another page gone, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

Another example of hand On, brain Off.

quil

quil, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

Man, I woke up with a the sickies. I did not fret, as Society has given unto the land Saint Dayquil, who hath provided me with much calm and confusion.

VSImage_8

VSImage_8, originally uploaded by eastaltus.

laundry day marker fun

moleskinne folds nicely

Laundry Day is more of a general federal holiday and not to be taken literally. It is alot like Dishes Day and Trash Day.

a Sketchblog is born

So I finally just made this blog after much procrastination and excuse composing to myself. In keeping with my New Year's resolution to put things off less, I will post various drawings, doodles and my favorite Whatnot with high hopes of improving my output, receiving feedback, and maintaining the illusion of progress. It being early May and all, I think I'm off to a good start.