West Coast Sketchbook
DaDay
Day One
On a two week trip to California, I set a goal of sketching every day, to see if I could improve.
I had in mind that I might be able to get freer, looser, and capture the feeling of place with fewer gestures, instead of the tight, detailed drawing I was familiar with doing for work.
This sketch from the plane going over the basin and range West was the first.
Day Two
I reverted to science illusustration mode – an exact rendering of the saucer of Hawiian shells and rocks that my son-in-law collected. A very comfortable mode to be in, but did NOT further my sketching goals.
Day Three
Monteray Bay from the restaurant window. This was more like it--looser, sketchier. The otters are too big, but I wanted them in there.
Day Four,
Hike in Muir woods. It's impossible to capture the enormity of redwoods.
Day Five,
On the road! Heading north on Route 1.
Mother seal trying to coax her newborn pup into the water. We watched for an hour and finally she succeeded.
Day Six,
Jug Handle Creek outlet, and beach.
I've always liked this view of oil tanks mounting the hill leaving the Bay area.
Day Seven,
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Indian Beach, Ecola State Park, Oregon
Day Eight
Rialto Beach WA and
Hoh River rain forest
Day Nine
Sol Duc Falls and
Second Beach
Day Ten
Olympic Mountains. Several ravens were looking for handouts in the parking lot.
Day Eleven
Heading South again.
Roosevelt elk at Prairie River Meadow, Redwoods National Park, CA
Two views from headlands along the way.
Day Twelve
Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, Humboldt Bay, CA (mudflats!)
Day Thirteen
Back in Oakland
Day Fourteen
Tennessee Valley Beach
Day Fifteen
Last day – Elkhorn Slough
