For this post I'll cheat a bit and upload the sketches that Rachelle and I gave away as wedding favors, and, particularly for those of you that asked, tip you off as to the specific sites. (Click on the images to enlarge them)
First:
This is a view down the sidewalk of Chartres at the corner of Esplanade. Rachelle and I got caught in the rain and took shelter under the awning.
Next:
This is a row of tombs from Cemetery No. 1, if memory serves....
This is the Napoleon House at the corner of Chartres and St. Louis. It's one of our favorite eateries in the Quarter with a multifarious and reasonably priced menu.
This is the north side of Jackson Square looking down St. Peter from Decatur (the Mississippi River would be behind you).
The Faulkner House is in the foreground. Just past the immediate buildings on the right is Pirate's Alley and to your left - out of frame - would be the rear of St. Louis Cathedral.
A tight, forced perspective view of Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop at Bourbon and St. Phillip. This is probably our favorite bar in the Quarter. The street signs have been absent for a while, but I referenced an old photo to insert them into the drawing.
So, there you go! The top 4 sketches were rendered "straight-up" with a Sakura Pigma Micron (.03 mm) pen, that is, I didn't plan them in pencil first or anything, I just used the pen. The bottom 2 were done entirely in pencil: 2B, and a 6B for the darker areas. I also used a kneaded eraser to tighten them a bit, increase contrast in areas, and add highlights.
I was rather pleased with these sketches, and I truly hope that all of our guests were, as well. Methinks I will crank out some more, and I will be sure to post the ones I like - and maybe one or two that I don't.... I am also going to get back to painting. I have a big unfinished painting on an easel that's really irritating me, as it's been there - and untouched - for faaaaaaaar too long.
Bye, for now!
- Ian
