revisiting Papel Picado

It's peaceful to sketch under the gentle glow of the light from Papel Picado, with the Picante patrons wandering out replete with their evening meal. The proprietor busies himself creating another paper picado in the tried and trusted way, with a small hammer and die-cutters. Here's one celebrating a recent kids' movie, which I recommend by the way.

Takes a Steady Aim

Artist Enrique Martinez uses a hammer and punch to create papel picado ("perforated paper".) You can find him at night next door to the Mexican restaurant called Picante located at 1328 6th street in Berkeley. His workshop is quite a sight when backlit by lights. 

-- Vivian Aldridge

¡Papel picado!

A delightful foray into the world of papel picado! Artist Enrique Martinez told us the interesting stories behind some of his intricate paper works. He celebrates hummingbirds, folk icons, holidays and more in colorful papers. You can find Mr. Martinez by Picante Restaurant on 6th Street in Berkeley, California.  

Picante - Where you can plant it

I do like the long bar at Picante Cocina Mexicana in Berkeley. Had fun watching the locals plant themselves on a stool for hours. Great for sketchers like us! -- Vivian Aldridge

Mas Picante

Burritos + drawing = a good combination plate.  Great to see everyone who came out to Picante.

Vivian and her take-out carton

Picante—Cocina Mexicana

They grind organic corn daily to make 

their own tortillas - enough said!

We had an appreciative audience!

Add caption

Picante, Waitress at Work

Picante Service Area, ink and watercolor, 5.5x8 in

I used a Pentel Tradio Pulaman Fountain Pen for drawing at Picante Mexican restaurant. I love this pen with its smooth chisel tip. Since it isn't waterproof I could add washes of water to make the gray areas. But Picante is such a colorful place I had to add a little color too. I ordered delicious fish tacos but was too hungry to draw them.

Picante-it's the food

Picante in Berkeley has lots to to sketch, from the papel picado ("perforated paper") banners made out of tissue paper cut into elaborate designs to the carved masks on the walls. But for me the best part is the food (and the margaritas)!

Picante Cocina Mexicana

Surrounded by folk art at Picante on Sixth Street in West Berkeley.

To the left of our table. . . 

. . . and to the right