It's Almost "Minnesota State Fair" Time......

Many dedicated fair goers have been warming up their sketching skills for days, possibly even weeks, in preparation to hit the animal barns with tools in hand.  The lists of needed tools have bounced around the internet, and include the basics, like a pad of well-chosen paper and a pencil.  For some, the list is much more extensive, however, and may include one or two sets of paints, one or more ink-filled brush pens, colored pencils, two or more bottles of water, a protein-filled snack, money to purchase fair-only cuisine (cheese curds, chocolate-coated bacon, anything on a stick, etc.), and a chair for lengthy "captures."

Paper:  Not only is the type of paper a hot topic, but the shape of the paper is equally "hot."  Some only use a stitch-bound journal no smaller than 11" x 14".  Another prefers water color paper, cut into individual 5" x 7" cards.  Another will be using the new Strathmore 500 series printing stock, cut into 8" x 8" cards.  Some custom make a portable gouche set, others pack primary and secondary colors only of their favorite water-soluable pencils, still others include a white or light gray grease pencil or China markerish tool to quickly grab highlighted areas tandem with some form of permanent black ink.

I love reading everyone's fair plans and "what to pack" lists, but am just not sure I will be attending the fair.  My issue is always the parking.  When traveling to fairs in my youth, families and neighbors would pack into a car and, in true clown-car fashion, and travel to unload at the gate.  Once inside, the entire band would disperse, usually in sets of two, to devour the events, foods, and culture of the midway.  Later in the afternoon, the animal barns were appealing, and the stage shows kept thousands there until late into the evening.....it just seemed more user-friendly.

Quick-sketch to get into the fair spirit.  Pencil , white China marker, and water color paint on tan Strathmore 400 ser4ies paper. 

As a salute to those dedicate fair sketchers, I have begun a quick sketch or two to get into the fair spirit.  Who knows, this might be the year I get there.  For those interested, the great Minnesota State Fair Sketch-Out, it is September 1st.  Interested sketchers are directed to meet at  base of the sky ride at 4:30 PM.  If you are using the official State Fair map, it is at the U26/27 location.  Don't forget to get your button and wear it proudly!

Further enhancement of the quick-sketch, adding black India ink with a Pentel Pocket pen.  

Quick-sketch with addition of background water color to create a little depth.  Pencil, white China marker, water color, India ink on tan Strathmore 400 series paper.  Click on image to enlarge.