Sensing a Series

When sketching, I sometimes detect a pattern as to the subjects I choose.  This winter, I take my sketchbook with me to lunch and have found myself sketching the restaurant or the bar area.  These may later develop in a "watering hole" series which they did two years ago.  It's good to keep your hand an eye busy while waiting for the weather to cooperate for some plein air painting.

You can see in many of my drawings that I tend to make the greatest contrast in values around the focal point.  The rest of the sketch tends to fade out.  This is a technique I employ in my paintings as well.