Old downtown San Luis Potosí, México. Part 5. San Agustin Square.

Pen&Ink on HP Arches WC paper 10” x 7”

No more churches. Jardin San Agustín, just one block from Plaza del Carmen, has a temple of the same name, but I didn’t want to sketch it. Instead I wanted to sketch the doors of the gated garden and the amazing iron work. Across the street, framed by the gate, there’s a building in a corner, it is an example of colonial residences of the wealthy past inhabitants in downtown San Luis Potosí. It is located in the corner of Universidad Ave. and Mariano Escobedo St. I made the sketch on location sat on one of the benches of the temple atrium. I brought with me only my sketchbook, a pencil and a fountain pen with ink sepia. It was until I started to do the iron work that it occurred to me to draw it with black ink, and I didn’t have any with me of course. So I improvised and used my pencil, which I retraced later with black ink. I did so much wanted detail, the HP watercolor paper is the perfect match for this work. I liked it as it is, no watercolor needed, the contrast between sepia and black is lovely! San Luis Potosí historical center is beautiful. The years it took to redo the remodeling of the streets was so worth it. For instance, the sidewalks are wider and very even, it’s so convenient when walking to admire the surroundings without  having any concern about watching your step, it is rare luxury in Mexico, so if you visit the city, enjoy it.
I’m posting also a map of Historical Center in downtown San Luis Potosí of the places I sketched while I stayed there.

This is my last sketch of the year 2019. I wish you have a very productive 2020 full of love, health and laugh. Keep it colorful.
Much love. 
Adriana Sketcher.

Old downtown San Luis Potosí city, México. Part 4. Templo del Carmen.

Pen&ink and watercolor on HP Arches 10” x 7”

This scene is so complex for me, but worth doing it. It’s another view of Plaza del Carmen. The temple of the same name, with one tower, it’s receded in the back so the fountain becomes the focus on this composition. The huge tree is competing for attention but this was unintentional, ha! What I liked about the tree is how all the weight of the enormous branches falls in that short but thick trunk. I liked that it looks balanced. This sketch was done in 90 minutes or so, just ink. I added watercolor later. Between family gatherings I was determined to schedule time to sketch while I’m staying in downtown. I’m falling in love with San Luis Potosí Centro Historico. I’ll sure miss the bells’ sounds from the Cathedral played every hour, Christmas melodies, Classical pieces and even the Mexican National Anthem! 

Old downtown San Luis Potosí city, México. Part 3. Teatro de la Paz in Plaza del Carmen

Pen&Ink and watercolor on HP Arches 10” x7”

Plaza del Carmen is another beautiful square in old downtown San Luis Potosí. In my opinion it’s the most beautiful square in the whole city. It’s surrounded by architectural wonders. The theater, 2 museums, a temple of the same name, statues and a beautiful fountain in the center of the square. I wish I could finish all the buildings mentioned above, the only one I could finish in ink on the second half of the day was the Teatro de La Paz, I added watercolor later. Instead of my usual purple color for shaded areas made of a mix of French Ultramarine and Alizarin Crimson, I tried a combination of two paints for a change and that I liked a lot, I wanted to tame carbazole violet with quinacridone gold and it turned into a muted color, which can easily be turned into brown or purple hues. The paper I used in my homemade sketchbook turned out to be HP Arches paper (I mixed several makers randomly). The paper absorbs the wash faster than HP Stonehenge Aqua, but the sizing on Arches allows me to blend colors and to create graded washes easily. I’m really enjoying HP Arches paper. It makes painting a joy.

Old downtown San Luis Potosí city, México. Part 2. San Francisco Square.

Pen&Ink and watercolor on HP Lanaquarelle 7” x 10”

San Francisco Square is another garden in downtown San Luis Potosí. The area was alive with so much people, musicians, photographers, doves  and truly yours, a sketcher. The fountain wasn’t working most of the time while I sketch there, when I almost finish the water started to run, then I added some white gouache paint directly from the tube to emulate water. The vendors lined along the pedestrian street  called Callejon del Santo Entierro (according to the plate mounted on the wall). Once packed, I took my sketchbook out again to add a bird which stopped on top of the fountain to drink water, also other birds flying around. A good michelada follow the sketch, from where I spotted the name of the street. 

Old downtown San Luis Potosí city, México. Part 1. The Metropolitan Cathedral.

Ink on HP Watercolor paper 10” x 7”

Old town of San Luis Potosí city, México, is in the process of being a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site. Since I read the news, it has been always in my list to do. So I’m staying in old downtown to sketch exclusively this area. There are so many squares in downtown San Luis Potosí, most with gardens and very close to each other, just one or two small blocks. The sketch above is the South side of the Metropolitan Cathedral, a view from a window on a 4th floor. Ink seemed to be the technique to show some details, it was a must, given the opportunity to sketch to so up close to the building. I may add watercolor later, as for now, I like it as it is. It will be a feast to sketch this area.....finally. 
A night light show displays interesting shapes and color in the main facade.

Nobody wished but I.

Pen&Ink and watercolor on Hahnemuhle A5 Watercolor Book

Nobody wanted to eat these succulent figs this morning. I ate a couple and they were so ripe, soft and sweet! I added some to my cereal too. I started to sketch them and it was until they saw the figs were the subject of my attention that all of sudden my husband wanted one, after begging them to eat them before they went bad. Too late, this artist started already to paint and anyone who wanted figs had to wait. I also sketched the golden/blue plate dish. Fortunately I brought with me some pearl watercolor paint. Nobody wished these figs, but I do wish you have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day.

Barrio de San Miguelito in the city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Pen&Ink and watercolor on  Stonehenge Aqua HP 7" x 10"

I'm spending the Holidays in the city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Back to the founding years, the city was organized in seven neighborhoods called Barrios, still exist today. I have lived here in the city for many years but I only know two neighborhoods. I visited the Barrio de San Miguelito yesterday for the first time. It has a beautiful square with garden and benches, a kiosk and the Iglesia de San Miguel Arcangel, which was closed but still sketched the exterior. It rained last morning (in fact is raining now), the day was grey and cold but I still sketched the church in ink only.  Later, even though I added watercolor indoors, the humidity and cold weather in the city shows in the hot press paper. 

After some minutes we went to the restaurant next to the church across the street and had a cafe de olla (pot coffee) and a very welcoming hot bowl of pozole to warm us up. Mmmh mmmh.

Here's a photo of an informative board of this neighborhood.