Hello, from the Sketchy Traveler newsletter. A mostly twice monthly newsletter on drawing and life design. Excited to have you join us! If you are enjoying this newsletter consider becoming a patron to help keep this newsletter financially sustainable.

Hard to believe it is the end of July and beginning of August. Here in the Pacific Northwest, it can feel like the beauty drains from the city and landscape in the late summer. It has usually been a month or two since we had rain and the trees, bushes and vines are beginning to turn from a lush green to a more muted hue. Meanwhile, the grasses have become dormant and turned golden. Plus the heat usually arrives in full force with the occasion pale of smoke from wild fires, making drawing outside less than ideal. With some planning and a little weather luck this can still be a wonderful time of year to draw on-site though.

Finding Cool Ways to Draw

By August the heat of summer begins to feel more like a drag than a joy. Combined with the arrival of wild fire smoke, the late summer can find people sheltering inside more than enjoying the outdoors. This is a time of year to make sure you have plenty water for yourself when drawing outside. Also stay aware of shaded spots to draw from instead of being directly in the summer and carry plenty of sunscreen with you.

Drawing in the early morning or evening can be a great way to avoid the heat of the day if it is going to be hot. Also take advantage of momentary dips in temperature to enjoy the beauty of late summer without the excess heat. Keep in mind nearby places to find a cool drink like vending machines, convenience stores and grocery stores. And it is a good time to consider indoor and air-conditioned spaces you can draw from or retreat to when you need a break from the heat or smoke.

Recently, I did this drawing of the west wing of the Memorial Union at OSU. The spot was in the sun, but I was close to the building and took regular breaks in its shade. I could also duck into the Memorial Union if I needed to cool off more or buy a cold drink from the vending machine.

The Beauty of Wide-Open Spaces

August and September bring a desert like beauty to the scenery with their dryness. The sky is usually a beautiful robin eggshell blue that contrasts wonderfully with the dry browns and dun colors of the aging leaves and grasses. This time of year is particularly wonderful for appreciating meadows and lawns. They are usually mostly golden brown at this point, but have a hint of green and small flowers in them still.

A great way to capture this is by putting down a wash of sienna (golden brown) and then defuse green into the sienna. This creates a wonderful feather effect that gives the hint of greens in a lawn or meadow without overwhelming the dominate brown of the grass. The picture above of downtown Portland over the lawn at Revolution Hall is a good example. 

Appreciating the Impermanent

We usually think of fall as a time of impermanence, but this really begins in August and September. Many plants wrap up their season during this time and put out their berries like grapes, hawthorns and mountain ash. This is also a time when the last festivals of summer are happening, particularly around Labor Day weekend, and people are heading back to work and school after summer vacation.

Sketches can be great way to capture these changes in the environment and in our social circles. They can also help us better retain our memories of these moments and have a record to help us remember these moments in the future. Plus, sketching can also honor and celebrate the passing of one season into the next and witness the growth in ourselves and communities.

Sketchy Traveler Events and Announcements

Corvallis Art Walk Meetup

Time: August 7th, 4pm-6pm

Location: Corvallis Foundry (257 SW Madison Ave, Suite 210)

Cost: Free

Come meet the amazing artists and craftspeople on the Corvallis Arts Walk (CAW) all in one place. Find your next creative partnership and connect with the amazing work of local artists and craftspeople. Come when you can and leave when you need to.

First On-Site Drawing Workshop

Time: August 15, 2026 4pm-5pm

Location: Riverfront Commemorative Walk

Cost: $20

This is the first session in the summer on-site drawing workshop. If you are in the Corvallis area and want a live drawing demo with me now is your chance. I will host a drawing workshop every other week through October. We will cover foundational drawing skills, working with color and composing a scene. Each session is a standalone, so feel free to join when you can make it and progress at the pace that is right for you.

Cards at The Art Center Store

Excited to have my work featured as cards at The Art Center store here in Corvallis. A percentage of all sales goes back to support The Art Center and the local arts community with the rest of the sale coming back to me. If you are looking for a fun trip and a low-cost way to support my work this is a great way to contribute.

The End is Only the Beginning

Wow, you read all the way to the end of the newsletter. This is the end of the newsletter, but only the beginning of your journey. Here are some potential next steps:

• Become a newsletter patron and help keep this newsletter financially sustainable
• Register for a 1:1 coaching session
• Purchase a print or commission me to do a drawing for you