Waterworks - WIP

[DBSullivan]

Hi everyone,

One of the several projects I've been burdened with lately is my own personal quest to get another local drawing done to have prints made, and get them into the shops before Musikfest starts on August 5th. (Musikfest is a 9 day music festival here in Bethlehem that attracts close to 100 thousand people a day. Aside from Christmas time.. this is a nice opportunity to capitalize on the tourism.)

This is of the very first public waterworks systems in the country. It was built in 1754 and pumped water through pipes made of hollowed logs. This structure is one of Bethlehem's "pride and joy's" and is well preserved. It was restored in 1976, and is an American Water Landmark, an Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.

I'm not doing this drawing because it's getting torn down or to save it's memory, or anything like that... I'm doing it to make money! This is a favorite of the local "print buying public".

I started it yesterday and this is what I have so far, after about 7 hours. (I'm rushing it a bit ) It's also smaller then I usually go.. this image size is 8 x 11. I went this size to accomodate an 11 x 14 mat/frame size. And of course it's ink!.. 00 tech pen on cold press illustration board.

btw - This is the first I used this pen since my city block drawing. I had unintentionally left ink in it, and I had no problems with it drying out. I just picked it up and started drawing.. after 4 weeks or so. I'm always hearing of others having problems with tech pens.. maybe I'm just lucky..

[Andy_S]

This is great. Can't wait to see what it looks like completed.

[sassybird]

Good start, Dave. I am looking forward to watching this one develop.

[valchina612]

Wow Dave, you are doing it again -- one of those types of scenes that I love to bits, and your work is perfection as usual. I'm looking so forward to seeing updates, and am glad to know you are managing to get something done for the Musikfest.

Val.

[mel-ink]

Woo Hoo!! A WIP with scribble trees!!! I envy you your historical community...you are surrounded by such wonderful subjects!!! This one will be another beauty, for sure!! Thanks for the close-ups and keep 'em coming!!

[Jakeally]

Awesome brickwork Dave Pulling up a chair

[fireman]

Dave great job your work is outstanding. I am joining Firemans kid for Musikfest and will search out your drawing. Where will it be in a gallery or one of the stores or in a booth. Fireman (Bob)

[Ranger Dan]

Looking very good Dave, I'm sure you'll do well.

[DBSullivan]

Thank you all for your kind words! They're very much appreciated.

Fireman Bob, Hello! Thanks for the compliment. These will be in the Moravian Bookshop (in the Moravian room), as well as my other prints. You may also find them in Topsy Turvy as well (another shop up the street). Moravian Bookshop buys my stuff outright at wholesale.. Topsy Turvy does consignment (yuk )

Mel - Yeah buddy!.. the scribble trees are comin!

update

Between last night and this morning, I got another 8 hrs or so in. I finished the stone work and most of the grass. (I hate saving the grass for last)



.. and here's your close-up guys!


Here you can see I did the grass by doing a complete layer of short lines drawn in rows. I then go over it again with some subtle cross-hatching to add texture, values, and shadows. I purposely left a portion undone so you could see the difference.


And here is a better look at the structure.



Thanks for looking!

[mel-ink]

Looks wonderful!!! Now, when you do a scene like this, I assume you aren't doing the whole front elevation/blueprint etc.? Do you just sketch it up then or how do you come up with the line drawing?? Thanks for the explanation of your grass technique...it looks great!!!

[Dave.t]

Another beautiful drawing Dave.....progress looking good for your deadline.
Are your printers on standby

Looking forward to the finish.

[DBSullivan]

Thanks Mel! and you are correct.. no blueprints on this one! I do an initial freehand sketch to get the basic shape of the building, then follow the roof/wall/window lines to help me find the natural vanishing point. I then use that VP to "fix" my initial sketch. After the building, I sketch in the background stuff. One time-saver I've found is that I don't cut my illustration board to size before I begin. Instead, I leave it much larger and begin my drawing in the center and trim the edges down when I'm done. I used to spend a great deal of time trying to center my drawing on the board.. duh! Also.. trimming the board afterwards gets rid of the banged up edges that always seem to get somewhat soiled.

Dave - Thank you! And no, I haven't notified the printer yet, but I'm not worried - they love me there! They'll definitely hook me up!

[valchina612]

WOW, this is looking super Dave -- you have some wonderful buildings in Bethlehem for this kinda work -- you make me SO envious Every part of this piece has things in it that I go nuts over, such as stonework (and bricks), scribble trees, grass and so it just goes on, and makes me feel nuttier with every drawing you do like this.

It will be a big seller for the Musikfest.

Val.

[MonicaB]

Fantastic, Dave. I'm sure it will do well. I sure do miss seeing old buildings like this everywhere. . .

[DBSullivan]

Val, thank you! Yes, this has all the yummy ingredients needed.. and look.. I'm even using a bit of stipple!!!

Monica, thanks, I'm glad you like it. Mel mentioned earlier about the landmarks I have in my area.. and trust me - I do not take it for granted.. I truly appreciate my location (and having all these cool buildings to draw).

btw - not to rub it in, but most of these landmarks are within a mile of my house.

Well, I gotta get back to work. I'm doin the scribble trees! (fun, fun, fun!) I should have an update later today or this evening.