This morning was another Urban Sketchers London ON meetup. The rain and wet weather forced us inside, but we could still see Dundas Street from the front windows in the library. After I added colour, I wished I had left it as black and white.

A couple more urban sketches yesterday. First: a noon visit to Art with Panache then coffee and sketch. Second: an evening at Western Fair District Raceway. Since I am not interested in gambling, it was just another opportunity for a drink and draw... some people practice and enjoy a beverage.

Urban Sketchers London Ontario met at White Oaks Mall for the monthly meetup. Using my favourite sketchbook (4 x 6 inches) - pencil, micron pen, waterbrush with India ink, and a touch of colour. Tim Hortons was lined up down the hallway the whole time I was sketching. 

Couple other recent PRACTICE sketches in my small sketchbook. First one, I was sitting on the couch and sketched as if I was looking down on the room. Second one - Enjoyed a beverage, while indoor playing ball with Coco. Third one - Coco snoozing on the couch... she stretches right out and leaves me with a sliver of space!

Posting today, November 30, but sketches were done last night at Western Fair District Raceway. I'm not there to bet on horses or even watch the races, just there to sketch! Small sketchbook, and a few simple tools. People tend to sit still. The first page is just random people's sketches and the second page is a scene. Pencil sketch first of the room, then add the people.

Pixley Mausoleum at Woodland Cemetery, designed by architects Moore and Henry, to commemorate Annie Pixley (actress and singer), wife of Robert Pulford. What a beautiful day to sketch outdoors, a little chilly at 10am but warmed up nicely by noon. So much history at this cemetery, I will have to go back. I thought this structure would be relatively easy to draw, but it was complicated. Pencil, micron pen, and waterbrush with diluted india ink.

Day One -  After a walk to the bank near Victoria Park, I completed a quick sketch of the Holly Roller. 
"Holy Roller is a Canadian Army M4A2 Sherman tank of the 6th Armoured Regiment (1st Hussars) which landed at D-Day and fought across northwest Europe until the end of the Second World War in Europe, one of two Canadian tanks that fought from D-Day to VE Day.[1] Holy Roller is on display as a memorial in Victoria Park, London, Ontario."  Holy Roller (tank) - Wikipedia

Sometimes you just need to change things up!
I usually create art that is detailed and realistic. I believe drawing skills are critical. And I think it's not until you can draw realistically that you can leap to stylized and abstracted works… in my little brain anyway. So here we go...
I started with some very quick sketches (mere minutes) completed on the golf course. Too little time for details. A few pencil lines. Some simple shapes. Maybe a micron pen. Maybe add some tone. Later at home, I had fun creating these colourful, stylized pieces of art. Each is approximately 4 inches by 4 inches. Inspired by a logo I worked on a few months back, where the client wanted an old feel - like a woodcut.