A Sign of Spring

As I was looking for something different to sketch this month, I remembered the EDM Challenge from Danny Gregory. It would be good for me to participate as a simple way to practice sketching everyday with watercolors. So starting on Day 59, the only sign of spring I  can find around in this unusually cold weather in Toronto is the bits of yellow-brown grass peaking through the melted snow from previous warmer days. The only green comes from this old lump sided pine tree. I think it got damaged during the ice storm. Most of the branches on the left side are gone. I'm looking forward to warmer weather. 

High Park

This weekend, a couple sketchers met at High Park to do a little bit of sketching. Luckily, the weather was nice and comfortable enough to draw and paint outside. It's was my first time visiting High Park, which is located on the west side of the city and walking distance from the subway. Toronto never ceases to amaze me with the amount of green spaces you can find right in the city. This park is huge! There were so many great scenes to sketch, I barely scratched the surface that day. I spent most of my time near the giant Grenadier Pond, watching people walking by with their family and friends. It was a very relaxing area. I will have to come back again at some point to explore the park a little more.

local fair

One thing I learned from the symposium is that you don't always have to go to places to find interesting things to sketch. A lot of the time, you just have to take the time to look. A couple weeks ago, a fair took place in a small park in my neighbourhood. It's a park where a lot of people usually walk their dogs and children play from time to time, but on this particular day a truck showed up and uniformed staff stated to installed tables, tents, a BBQ started, an ice cream truck showed up, there was a dunking game set up, speakers, etc. Then people stated to pour in. There even were umbrellas for the guests to allow them to enjoy their meal despite the little bit of rain that day. They also had sponsored prizes and trampoline acrobats on the side. I have no idea what it was for but it looks like it was a successful event and it was a great unplanned opportunity for me to do a little sketching and playing with watercolors.