Bethann and the Beaux Arts

The other day Bethann Merkle from the Drawn to Quebec sketch group was passing through Montreal. We had an opportunity to hang out for a few hours and talk sketching. I was particularly impressed how well she draws and talks. If you’ve ever watched a group of artists chatting, the conversation can be awfully stilted. We *think* we’re chatting, but usually it’s long silences followed by non-sequiturs.

We ended up in the Museum – too chilly on the street. I did these Lamy pen sketches in the little classical sculpture display.  Then followed up with a touch of water to make midtones. I really love these pens, simply for the water-soluble ink cartridges. It’s like magic. You just touch your pen lines and they melt into interesting washes. It’s a great way to soften cross-hatching.