When visiting Spain in March 2008, I was visually reminded of how many cathedrals there are in that country and in the rest of Europe. This was a sketch of just one of the many we visited while in Barcelona, Valencia and Granada. The most impressive and memorable was the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, by architect Antoni Gaudi.
This sketch was done at La Lonja, a castle from the 15th century that housed the silk merchant trade in Valencia, Spain. The design is definitely organic, and carved from stone. It appears on the side of an 8-sided star shaped fountain, pictured below.
This pencil sketch was done in Valencia, Spain, while I was visiting my son there in March, 2008. This particular museum houses mostly religious art taken from cathedrals and churches in the area.
This sketch also done in Valencia as we spent a day at the Oceanarium of Valencia, Spain, a world-class facility. Included here are some of the building shapes, as well as the dolphin show, and a fountain that looks like a boat located on the beach of the Mediterranean Sea.
Here are some additional sketches I did while in Spain last month. The first is a window detail on the side of the place of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain.
This next one is a sketch of one of the older parts of the Alhambra… the castle or fortress section used to defend the original old city.
And this sketch done in Granada is of a new hotel built on the side of a mountain that mimics the style of some of the Alhambra Palace which is further up the mountain.
Another sketch is of the cathedral or chapel built on the Alhambra after the Europeans took Granada back from the Moors. The site was originally a mosque.
I think I was looking through some Pen and Ink drawing books I have, and decided to try my hand at a pen and ink sketch of a guy in one of the books. This was probably 20 to 25 years ago. It probably took me about 2-3 minutes to sketch. That’s the whole idea… quick, sketchy, loose, free. Just do it. Then know when to stop. I think the original was sepia ink on white “trash” paper.
I think I was looking through some Pen and Ink drawing books I have, and decided to try my hand at a pen and ink sketch of a guy in one of the books. This was probably 20 to 25 years ago. It probably took me about 2-3 minutes to sketch. That’s the whole idea… quick, sketchy, loose, free. Just do it. Then know when to stop. I think the original was sepia ink on white “trash” paper.
I sketched this image of a crazy cartoony car while flying from Chicago to Denver. Not sure what it means. Got any ideas?
This morning I heard a sermon by Dr. Greg Waybright, at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park. It was based upon the Gospel of Luke chapter 19, verses 1-10. It was the story of a Jew named Zachaeus, and how he met Jesus, basically one week before Jesus’ death.
Here are my sermon notes in case you missed it. If you’d like to hear the sermon yourself, you can get in on iTunes here.
Dear Friends and Family,
I have arrived at Keble College, Oxford, England – safe and sound!
Through the gracious gifts and support of my family (you know who you are!), I have been lavishly treated to a paid trip to Oxford, England to attend the RZIM Summer School, the theme of which this year is: “With All Your Heart and Mind.”
You can get more info on this program here, and a schedule of the week here (in PDF format).
You can read about the wonderful line-up of speakers, apologists and topics for the week. I am really looking forward to it! I leave my room shortly for the opening meeting, then dinner followed by Michael Ramsden’s presentation on “Sacrifice.”
Thank you for your interest, contributions, prayers and support.
Please pass the word of this blog on to anyone else you think may be interested!
First Sketch – Keble College Chapel
This is a sketch of the Keble College Chapel I did the first afternoon I arrived, during some down time. I was sitting across the quad on a stone ledge… it was beautiful! Very similar view to the photo taken above.
Map and layout of Keble College – Virtual Tour
There is a also famous painting by Holman Hunt, located in the Keble College Chapel ()pictured above) called “Light of the World” 1853, oil on canvas.
The Keble College Crest
