Mission San Juan Bautista is only a 45 minute drive from home. I’m going to have to go back and sketch the main Mission Church and bell tower one day. (made famous by Hitchcock when he shot scenes from Vertigo there) Until then, here are some quick vignettes.
3 of these sketches are in a Strathmore Toned paper sketchbook, which I’m really enjoying. Toned paper means I can draw in my darks and draw in my highlights and the paper takes care of the rest. Perfect for a quick sketch. Or, if I have more time, it’s fun to work in color on the paper too.
The thing with using random types of paper is that it forces me to experiment, and paper like this one just isn’t going to make for beautiful watercolor effects: no granulating, no wet-in-wet effects, none of that stuff: so I tend to focus more on quick captures. Less precious. More immediate. Like this one below.
The back of the stables at the mission. See that cast iron symbol of a horse o the front of the structure?
The bell and cactus in the Mission courtyard.Again on tan-toned Strathmore paper.
And afterwards, these two sketches while eating a leisurely lunch at Jardines de San Juan Restaurant. This first one is the only one in my Stillman& Birn Beta sketchbook.
And another quick vignette, brushpen on tan paper. Sepia pencil, white colored pencil and graphite pencil for added details.
I’ll be headed back some day soon to sketch that Mission Church. Hoping for a quiet day,with strong sunshine and a very blue sky because Missions just look best that way.
Sketch Away: Travels with my sketchbook 
Lovely sketches!
LikeLiked by 1 person