S.F. Symphony Chamber Music at Davies

Self-consciously, I begin sketching on my program notes, and the scratch of my fude fountain pen seems dreadfully loud. Will I distract my fellow audience members?

Then all around me begins the crunching of candy wrappers, the soft (and not-so-soft) coughing and even an errant ringing cell phone. I relax and settle into the joy of sketching a live classical music performance in the low light of the symphony hall.

Artistic license. Too far away to accurately capture the musicians in these last two but fun to draw loose. Every picture tells a story (don't it?)

More Scribbling in the Dark

Chris Botti: trumpet.  Tombow, water-soluble pen, water brush     

Sketching musicians at a concert: I can't see the sketch very well in the darkened theater. I'm trying to be quiet and not draw attention. Wonderfully distracted by the performances and personalities on stage, I'm temporarily released from that endless pursuit of perfection and playful gesture drawings emerge.

Caroline Campbell, beautiful rockin' violinist

SF Symphony Chamber Music Series

Sketching while listening . . .

San Francisco Symphony Chamber musicians played Dvorak and Shostakovich on a warm, Sunday afternoon. Hated to go indoors on such a fabulous day, but the concert was wonderful.

San Francisco Symphony Chamber Music Series

The U.C. Botanical Garden's Bastille Day concert, performed outdoors in the Redwood Grove amphitheater, WPA-built in the 1930's. Sweet Parisian melodies on a warm summer night.

Rachel Durling & Big Lou of The Baguette Quartette

French Gypsy Jazz performed on stringed instruments as the setting sun peeked thru the redwood trees.

Le Jazz Hot a.k.a. The Hot Club of San Francisco