inktober

The Week in InkTober

Saturday, October 17, 2015

I've been diligently drawing every day but just hadn't taken time to scan everything until today. So here's the massive catch-up post.

Last night M. and I had dinner at Pho 69 and checked out TechShop in downtown San Jose. In between I sketched the California Theatre, a '20s-era movie palace turned performing arts venue.

Calfornia theater San Jose

The day before, I drew the two trees and distant hills I see every day out our front door. They are tall and totemic and remind me that I am in California.

View out the front door

Finding InkTober subjects on busy weeknights was challenging until M. and I hit upon the idea of using word prompts (from vintage copies of Sunset magazine, found at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park) to inspire me to draw random things and tie them together.

M. thinks teacup-tuna-toilet-paper baby will go viral.

surreal2

Me, I'm rooting for the Saltine desert.

surreal1

It's hard to do it without any prompts -- I end up mostly drawing what's in front of me, and at 10 pm it starts with whatever I see in and around the mirrored bedroom closet doors.

Between feet

Last Sunday M. and I rode our bikes at Viva Calle SJ, an open streets event in which miles of San Jose roads were closed to cars. I sketched at the Aztec dance demonstration by Tezkatlipoka Dance Group and then drew the cyclists who had gathered at the information tents at Parque de los Pobladores.

Viva Calle SJ performance

Viva Calle SJ sketch

inktober

The Neighborhood Gang

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Wild turkeys, San Jose, CA #inktober

They loiter aimlessly and peck and scratch and strut and sometimes even use the crosswalk when crossing the street. And they will not be on your Thanksgiving table.

chrysanthemum

Interior Abstractions

Thursday, October 08, 2015

Drawn while sitting on the new sectional in our living room. A gift plant was the inspiration for the first.

Chrysanthemum abstract #inktober

Living room distortion #inktober

inktober

More InkTober Sketches

Monday, October 05, 2015

fast asleep

M. was a ready, if oblivious, subject for yesterday's drawing. I learned that although striped flannel sheets are cozy, drawing them takes a lot of patience.

Abstract in purple #inktober

Today I decided to play around with dip pens, a bamboo pen, a brush and various bottled inks. I used Levenger Regal and Forest, and Noodler's Cayenne.

fall

InkTober Begins!

Thursday, October 01, 2015

Oct 1: Wild turkey trot #inktober

Suhita inspired me to participate in InkTober. An ink drawing every day in October. How hard can that be?

Today I chose to draw wild turkeys. There are several of them around our neighborhood.

Let's see how long I can keep this up.