A late snow storm and associated cold weather has kept us off the streets and in the museums. I met with my buddies Yvan and Claudette on Wednesday and we headed into the Nigeria exhibit at the Musee de la Civilisation. Claudette and Yvan set up to sketch different masks and I wandered, and wandered. For some reason I wasn’t in the mood to do a single object.
Then it occurred to me; I hadn’t sketched any of the museum interior. I looked around and chose this view, because I hadn’t yet sketched the large statue and because Yvan was somewhat visible behind it. I thought the background of display cabinets in the darkened room would balance the large statue nicely. It was done in a Stillman & Birn Epsilon (5.5×8.5) with a Noodler’s Creaper flex pen and Lexington Gray ink. I did the color with watercolor pencils but, when I got home, I went over most of it with a gray wash to highlight the display cabinets and to reflect the dark exhibit room.
Today Yvan and I went back and I did these two objects. Same S&B sketchbook, same tools. Hope you like them.
I like that the context is apparent in the first one. It’s a nice addition to all your great museum sketches. How do you like your Creaper? I’ve been hearing mixed reviews. The Ahab I have gave me so much grief that I vowed never to get another Noodler’s, but I’m always curious.