Sketchbook 31/05/09

Got over enthused about drawing the "Moon Bean Cafe" name and switched the bean and cafe around... oppps.


Despite my brief knock on chain coffee shops, they usually do offer prime locations for sketching. This one is done on the Starbucks patio at the corner of College and St. George looking at the main south entrance to the University of Toronto, my alma mater. The building in the upper left corner is the Koefler Centre and houses the book store and various councilling services.

Sketchbook 29/05/09

My sister invited me down to her place for dinner and fortunately she's right by the waterfront. This means I got to do some sketching before heading to her place for some grub.

Sketchbook 27/05/09

It's amazing what you hear when you sketch your subjects so close to them. For example, the gentleman's name on the right is, Michael. He incidentally, was the same gentleman I sketched on May 9th in another Starbucks across town... weird how small this world is.

The woman, is a doctor who had a rough shift and slept in a back room, on a tarp that she laid out, and couldn't remember how long she was out for.

Sketchbook 26/05/09

With the cafe market being dominanted by the coffee chains like Starbucks, second cup, Tim Hortons and co., it's quite refreshing (and welcome) to sit in an independently run one with a bit more character and design that doesn't come straight from a kit.

Fortunately, I live in the heart of little Portugal, so there's quite a few mom and pop coffee shops, with tons of character and tastier treats that won't break the bank.

Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to finish the left side of this image because a bunch of business types came in and took over that area and kept on moving about… next time.

Sketchbook 24/05/09

Students make great models. Studying hard and sitting still in the process. Who could ask for anything more.

Sketchbook 23/05/09

Another beautiful day in Toronto prompted me to sketch this building. It's in a part of town and a stretch of street that's slowly being gentrified. Compared to its neighbouring buildings, a typical high end condo and a few cafes, it screams character. Who could resist not sketching it? I also just noticed the sign its neighbour has: "Remnants"… quite fitting.

Sketchbook 22/05/09

Beautiful day today so I thought i'd walk down to the waterfront and do a bit of sketching.

Sketchbook 19/05/09

I've seen a few drawings finished in moving cars and the end result was always with a smooth line. How is this possible? During my ride up to Montreal I did a drawing but as you could see there was not one smooth line...mysterious.

Sketchbook 11/05/09

This is the first sketchbook I've completed with the intention of actually finishing by sketching in it on a regular basis. Seems like a monumental task when I first started and that view hasn't changed. However, I've learned a lot about how I think and perceive things and hopefully book 2 will take a shorter time to fill.

Sketchbook 09/05/09

The image on the left was unfinished because the coffee shop was closing up for the day. Note to self: more drawing, less coffee.

Sketchbook 03/05/09