2024 is almost to a close as I write this, less than seven to go till 2025! As I look back over the many sketches I did this year, I feel good about trying new things: sketching overseas, on a sailboat, with ink and a brayer roller, being a sketch demo artist, trying some online classes with the School of Visual Storytelling, and more! Urban sketching took me to Nice, France, in February, where I sketched many places, including Villefranche Sur-Mer. I loved the textures and beauty of this sketch and you can read more about my adventures in the March 28th post.
I also had the opportunity to sketch in Switzerland in June and July, and I chose two favorite sketches from that trip as well.
Bern was a favorite city to explore in Switzerland, and I captured many fun moments there. You can read more about it in the July 16th post.
I also loved Zurich, and from boat rides to fountains, city walking to the Lindt Chocolate factory, I had fun sketches to share! You can read more it in the July 19th post.
A little closer to home got me having fun with a looser technique with pen and watercolor—
I sketched this at the Cossettas restaurant in St. Paul and kept a limited palette, read more about this sketch in the April 13th post.
Our sketching group went to the MN Firefighters museum where I had fun capturing a large truck and hose on its back, read more about this in the April 13th post.
I liked the wonkiness of this sketch of the Landmark Center in St. Paul, and you can learn more about it in the May 31st post.
I had fun with some 2-page spreads as well. This first one was completed at the Lost Fox cafe in St. Paul, and I really like the perspective of the bar area. This is a favorite sketch of mine! You can learn more at the May 31st post.
Another sketch I enjoyed in the fall was at the Market at Malcolm Yards in Minneapolis in October. A fleeting fall day with crisp air and plenty of sunshine made this sketch even more memorable! Check out my post on October 23rd to learn more.
This fall, I sketched with friends at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. This stunning cemetery intrigued me on many levels, the fall day was sunny and warm, and I loved the colors and textures that play in this sketch. You can learn more in the October 31st post.
Finally, I share a sketch I did in November at the Bakken Museum with our Urban Sketchers Twin Cities group. This was done in the “Maker Space”, an area of the museum where kids and classes can come and be inventive and make gadgets and other things. It was a giant workshop and I only captured a few items around me. This sketch will be exhibited with around 50 other sketches in the Bakken’s “Nooks and Crannies” show that opens this Sunday, January 5th. Large cardboard sculpted letters on the wall say “TRY”. This is a great word to sum up my year!
Thank you to all my readers who have shared comments and insights with me over the year, I truly appreciate it! I’m looking forward to another great year of sketching, where I will try other new things and explore new places. Here’s to 2025!