What we’re about
We get together on weekends to wander around San Francisco, sketching people and places, natural and urban. We usually sketch for 2-3 hours, then sit down in a cafe to share sketches and chat. Sometimes we join up with other sketching groups or do field trips outside the city. Everyone welcome.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Guest Post: DATE CHANGE: Sandhill Crane Field Trip with Nature Journal ClubCosumnes River Preserve, Galt, CA
** Date Change **
Due to weather forecast, this event has MOVED to Sunday, Dec 15.
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Prepare yourself for a primeval experience. Join John Muir Laws, Kate Rutter, and the SF Bay Area Nature Journal Club for a field trip to the Sacramento Valley in Northern California to draw and study the Sandhill Cranes that migrate to the area for the winter.
We will meet at 10am at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor’s Center and explore wetlands through the morning. In the afternoon we will head to Staten Island Road to watch the fly-in of vast numbers of cranes before nightfall.
Though the program ends at 4:00 PM, sunset will be at 4:45 PM, this is often a magical time with the cranes. Consider leaving yourself a little wiggle room in your schedule should you want to stay and sketch a little more.Location is near Sacramento, California, https://maps.app.goo.gl/zRowKLw1w7g6mfG36?g_st=ic
Would you like some helpful tips on drawing cranes before you go? Check out this video tutorial by John Muir Laws: https://johnmuirlaws.com/draw-sandhill-cranes/
Bring your journaling supplies, a portable stool, binoculars, and a spotting scope (if you have one), PLUS a potluck lunch treat to share and your own bowl, spoon, napkin, and water. Bring a sun hat and a warm hat, and dress in/bring extra layers as it can be cold.
This is a fundraiser for the Wild Wonder Foundation. $25 suggested donation, no registration necessary. If rain is a possibility, check this meetup event on the morning of the event to see if the trip is canceled or diverted to another (dry) location.
Looking forward to seeing you and journaling the cranes! - Holiday Party at Arch, with sketching in the neighborhoodNeeds location
UPDATE:
Let's try a new tradition this year with a Secret Santa Art Exchange. If you want to participate, bring a wrapped sketch, framed or unframed, and Liz Scotta will give you a numbered ticket. At 2:15 the exchange will begin: when your number is called it's your turn to pick a package from the pile. Don't put your name on the package—it's a secret who the artist is!It's that time of year, and Arch Art Supplies is putting on a holiday party for us again. There will be drinks and snacks, and a 10% discount so we can stock up on supplies for another year of sketching.
But we have to get some sketching in first, so let's take a gamble on the weather and meet in the Potrero Hill neighborhood before the party. There are some charming courtyards and views of downtown in this area, plus a donut shop, hamburger joint and patisserie if you're hungry. There might also be activity in the playground and sporting events in the park.
If we are driven indoors by rain, we can sketch inside the store or stand outside under the awnings along the 17th Street.
12:00 If it's not raining, meet in the courtyard next to Magic Donuts & Coffee on the far side of Jackson Park, 1675 Mariposa.
1:45-ish When you're done sketching, head over to Arch, on the other side of the park at 1490 17th Street, @Arkansas, to hang out with other sketchers over drinks, snacks and shopping.
Around 2:00 we'll make a toast to another year of sketching together.
We'll do the Secret Santa Art Exchange after that.GETTING THERE
Transit: From 16th Street BART it's a 10 minute ride east on the 22 or 55 buses. You can also catch the 22 going west from the the T-Third MUNI line near the Chase Center.
Bike: There's a good bicycle lane along 17th Street.
Car: You will probably be able to park within a couple of blocks. Unless there's some sporting event going on, there's usually parking along Jackson Park on Arkansas, just south of 17th.BRING
• A sketching stool or pad to sit on in case the benches are cold and/or wet.
• Warm clothing
• Your credit card, in case you want to take advantage of the 10% discount to buy art supplies.
