A few slightly soggy sketchers came out to sketch the Chinese Gardens Pagoda and other features at Louise McKinney Riverside Park on June 18th, and a few headed there later when the sketching was sunnier.
Other subjects near and far also inspired our sketchers.
Posted by Marlena Wyman
Saturday June 18, 2022, 11AM – 1PM: Chinese Gardens Pagoda, Louise McKinney Riverfront Park
So many things to sketch in the Chinese Gardens at Louise McKinney Riverfront Park. From the pagoda, to the recently installed nine dragons wall, to the the pair of lions, to the obelisk, and to the sculptures of the animal symbols in Chinese astrology. There’s also the Shumka stage, the stairways up to street level and down to the river. The new walk bridge is not to be missed! Then there’s the cityscape and the river valley. You’ll be spoiled for choice!
At 1:00, we’ll head over to the small cafe and outdoor seating at River Valley Adventure Company for snacks or beverages (that are easy on the wallet! Lol!) and to share our sketches.
Parking is a short walk on the south side of Grierson Hill.
We hope to see you there!
The 100th Street Funicular was the location for our May sketch-meet. It opened to the public on December 7, 2017, with the help of the River Valley Alliance, provincial and federal governments. It provides additional access to the river valley and is a landmark and a connection between downtown and Edmonton’s river valley. Edmonton’s first funicular began operations on May 20, 1908 for horse and wagon traffic. It was located at the base of McDougall Hill and climbed up the bank aligned with 101 Street.
The sketchers had a beautiful day for urban sketching, and met afterward on the Hotel Macdonald terrace.
Other nearby views were sketched as well.
And other subjects from near and far.
Posted by Marlena Wyman
Place: 100th Street Funicular
Date: 11am to 1pmm, Saturday May 21, 2022
The Edmonton Funicular opened in December, 2017. It offers a gentle, enclosed ride down (and up again) to a beautifully constructed promontory and lookout. Stairs are also an option. There is also an elevator down to Louise McKinney Park.
We will meet at the top of the funicular at 100 St. and disperse for sketching from there. There are spectacular views of the valley as well as views of the urban landscape. However, since the funicular is the prominent feature of this site, I would encourage sketchers to draw the funicular itself or aspects of the site related to the funicular, such as the promontory or the unique stairway area. The choice, of course, is yours.
I will book a table at the MacDonald Hotel patio for an outdoor opportunity to share a light lunch or beverage. And to share our sketches (if you choose). Please message me if you’d like to join in the merriment so that I know how large our party will be. This will be our first social gathering following a sketch meet since 2019! We will have to toast our patience and celebrate the occasion!
Parking downtown is always a challenge. However, paid surface parking is available at the MacDonald or at the Courtyard Inn. As well, there are several parkades within walking distance.
We hope to see you there!
Ukrainian culture is strong in Edmonton, and what is happening in Ukraine at present is very distressing. We chose the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John at 10951 – 107 St in Edmonton as our first on-location outdoor sketch meet of 2022. It seems appropriate at this time to remember the Ukrainian people through this small act of sketching an iconic symbol of their homeland.
Other subjects were sketched as well, in Edmonton and away:
3 Edmonton scenes by Karen Boschee
Posted by Marlena Wyman
Thanks to admin Yvonne Rezek for this suggestion:
Spring has sprung and we can sketch together outdoors once again!
Time: 11am to 1pm on Saturday April 23
Place: St. John’s Ukrainian Cathedral, 10951 – 107 St, Edmonton
Please be respectful of keeping distance – we are still in the Covid19 pandemic and people have varying individual risk levels.
We will be sketching outside St. John’s Ukrainian Cathedral for our first on-location sketch meet of 2022. It seems appropriate at this time to remember the Ukrainian people through this small act of sketching an iconic symbol of their homeland. The church is next to St. John’s Cultural Centre and the Ukrainian Museum of Canada Alberta Branch. This building can be sketched instead of, or in addition to, the church itself if you like.
The church is next to McDougall Central Park and on-street parking is available. Don’t forget to bring a stool.
If you’d prefer to sketch on your own, feel free to sketch anytime convenient for you. Also, there are many Ukrainian churches in and around Edmonton if you’d prefer to sketch one of those instead.
Post your sketches before the end of April and they will be included in the blog.
Wow – this has been a very prolific sketching month! Several sketchers took up the Surprise Adventure Challenge: they set their timer for 15 minutes, then walked or drove and sketched what they saw when the timer went off. Others sketched whatever urban sketching subject inspired them! Here are all the fab results.
Gordon Ramsey: Alberta Plywood Plant Edmonton, old Rossdale Brewery & Hotel Macdonald Edmonton, and vacant lot in Aspen Gardens neighbourhood Edmonton.
Sandra Der: International Women’s Day March at U of A Edmonton, Churchill Square Edmonton, and Playwrites Festival Edmonton.
Karen Boschee: Rio Park Edmonton, Spur Line trails and tiny book library Canmore AB.
Zulima Acuña: Zocalo flowers & giftshop Edmonton, and Ted’s Gold Star Hairstyling Edmonton.
Posted by Marlena Wyman
Something a little different this month. Surprise yourself by sketching a scene that you aren’t going to choose ahead of time. Huh? How does that work?
Set the timer on your device for about 15 minutes, then go for a walk or a drive or even a bike ride. Maybe pick somewhere you don’t usually go. When the timer goes off, stop! If you’re in a car or on a bike, do this safely. Pull over or go to the first available parking spot. Then look around and draw what you see in any direction.
Surprise! When you post, tell us where you went.
And remember these urban sketching guidelines.
– draw from direct observation
– tell the story of your surroundings
We can’t wait to see your sketches!
Our February sketch theme was “Parks”. Edmonton (and surrounding communities) is full of them. From tiny, corner, neighborhood parks to vast river valley parks. You probably don’t even need to get into your car to find one nearby. Parks are a great opportunity to sketch people, dogs, picnic benches, gazebos, play structures and more. Our sketchers got out there to document them, along with other great urban sketching scenes:
Luke Strama – Truck Convoy, Edmonton
Watch for the March theme coming soon!
Posted by Marlena Wyman
It’s February and time for a new monthly sketch theme. It’s warming up out there so let’s get outside and sketch. Go to the park. This city (and surrounding communities) is full of them. From tiny, corner, neighborhood parks to vast river valley parks. You probably don’t even need to get into your car to find one nearby. Parks are a great opportunity to sketch people, dogs, picnic benches, gazebos, play structures and more. When you post your sketch, let us know which park you sketched.
Urban Sketchers Edmonton 