Sketchbook Challenge - April

I found this months challenge the most difficult so far. I love experimenting, taking classes and trying all different kinds of mediums. So I was thinking about what isn't so comfortable and what I tend to avoid so I could I could figure out how to take a "risk" and participate in the April themes of "Branch Out" and "Go out on a Limb". 

In April there were sketch crawls all over the world. The Mystic Art Center planned one for Saturday the 9th. I thought this would be a good way to challenge myself as I haven't participated in one before and I don't draw in public (OMG what if someone were to look over my shoulder to see what I was drawing!)

We had a cool but sunny morning and four of us started out at Bartleby’s for some coffee to get us going and a little sketching. Then onto a few other places around town including Mystic River Park and a playground.

I usually sketch in pencil so I was interested to hear Cathy (the sketch crawl organizer) explain that if she uses a pencil she spends too much time erasing, reworking and trying to perfect each drawing. Another small challenge - I switched to a permanent pen to give it a try. It changed my approach as I noticed I was taking more time to observe before I made a mark on the page.  I definitely need lots of practice but it was a fun morning.

Planter box at Mystic River park

Quick gesture drawings of people

 watching their children in the park

Leaves and debris on the ground and tree in the park