Thin Cities

Eugene, Oregon 24-08-07

Well hey there. I can't think of much to talk about at the moment, so I thought I'd just post these sketches from a couple of years ago. These are, what, three moleskines back? I think I am out of my moleskine sketchbook phase for now, but back in the day I was crazy for those little black volumes. So soft and durable and handsized. Where was I? Yes, these are some sketches of houses and things, mostly from the States, California and Oregon, but a few from home in the UK too. They were nearly all done with dip-pen for the thicker lines, and a tiny wee fineliner for the details; this is probably not noticeable, but it's the sort of finicky distinction I am all about.

You will also notice these are nearly all face-on, no background, isolated on the page, which is a way that I like to do buildings. I like them pinned down in my sketchbook like they are specimens, like my own personal architectural dead butterfly collection. I also tend to elongate the houses upwards; I especially like this effect for the San Francisco row houses. Some are from photos, some are from life. I don't draw this kind of thing quite as much these days, but I still really like to draw architecture. It can be very soothing.

San Francisco, California 09-08-07

San Francisco, California 08-08-07

Norwich, England 29-07-07

Cork, Ireland 25-08-07

San Francisco California 07-08-07

Monterey, California 17-08-07

Huddersfield, England 28-08-07

Humboldt, California 17-08-07

Haight Ashbury, San Francisco, California 06-08-07

Portland, Oregon 22-08-07