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. 

Urban Sketchers is a worldwide organization. They are in over 70 countries and in over 450 cities. Having chapters worldwide means when you visit another city, you can check and see if there is a chapter there, and if so, potentially meet up with them. This usually takes you to a location you may not go to. Last year we visited Cincinnati and I met up with the Cincinnati Urban Sketchers and sketched with them. This week, while in Cincinnati I was able to meet up with them again, this time at the Cincinnati Zoo.
It was a beautiful day and it was so busy at the zoo, but I did manage a couple of very quick sketches.
That chapter has a very active membership (usually 4 meetup per month) and a stamp, well more than one stamp actually. Our Urban Sketchers, London ON chapter does not have a stamp... but we need one!

On  February 17, 2024, Urban Sketchers London met at The Market at Western Fair District for the 2nd sketch outing of 2024. Not only was this a great place to sketch, but host Jane Roy from "The Paint Box"  (which puts a spotlight on various aspects of the vibrant visual art community in the City of London)  joined us to film and interview the sketchers.

Here is the link to view the show:   The Paint Box - London (rogerstv.com)