California Homes in Charcoal

[By Suhita Shirodkar in Los Gatos, California] Here’s a question: Do you ever sketch on location in charcoal? I love the feel of vine charcoal , but it makes such a mess! I did this set of very quick little sketches of little Northern California homes and was a total mess at the end of it. That’s a shame because I love the smudgy, moody feel of the medium.

I’ve been thinking charcoal would make a good medium for a quick little study before a longer one. Although I’m not sure I have the patience for that. I did this first quick sketch of a gorgeous Victorian thinking I’d follow it up with a similar composition in color.

But then I decided that I’d drawn enough of the home and wanted to focus on the equally magnificent tree for my next sketch.

All these drawing Victorian homes has me thinking I need to drive up to San Francisco for the day and sketch some Painted Ladies…