The countdown to 2022 is hours away now! And I thought I’d share my top 10 sketches for the year. I chose these for various reasons, and I have several other favorites, but here they are…

I think this is my favorite sketch of 2021. I did it at the end of a long sketch crawl with my urban sketching group at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (learn more at July 25 post). I like the composition with the garden vehicle in the front, and barn in the background.

This sketch was done from photos I took while in Bermuda several years ago. It was for a virtual sketching prompt. I actually added more to the bottom of the page (see below). Learn more at March 7 post.

This next sketch was done at my church at a dinner before a concert. I had a wonderful pulled pork dinner and just had to sketch it. It was a fun food sketch! Learn more at July 3 post.

Our sketching group started in-person events in May 2021, after a long winter of virtual events. I sketched the Basilica from the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden property. Learn more at June 11 post.

Another outdoor event at church in September included sketching an ice cream truck. I loved the colors and the people waiting for their treats! Learn more at Sept. 20 post.

I was able to sketch building demolition on our church property as well. I sketched the machines and other buildings. Learn more at Aug. 1 post.

I learned to use a new pen this summer, a Sailor Fude pen. A friend let me borrow it when sketching another friend’s garden area, and I loved the lines and looseness of the sketch! Learn more at Aug. 21 post.

In August, I traveled to Madeline Island in Wisconsin for a 5 day urban sketching retreat. It was a fabulous time and I learned from great instructors! I sketched at a yacht club in Bayfield, learn more at Aug. 26 post.

One of our summer sketching events was at Loring Park in Minneapolis. I enjoyed the art festival and the community center architecture I sketched. Learn more at Aug. 6 post.

And for #10! This sketch was done virtually while learning about Venice for a sketch prompt. I like the colors and looseness of this building, and the turquoise water. Learn more at Feb. 9 post.

Thank you for all your comments, responses, and for reading my blog this year. I hope you’ve picked up some inspiration and tips from my sketches, and found time to sketch the world you live in too! Here’s to a great year of sketching in 2022!