Sketching the Durham Fair

I've been waiting for weeks for Connecticut's largest agricultural fair, the Durham Fair. I've been to the fair a zillion times but this is the first time I've ever sketched the fair.

I was so inspired by Roz Stendahl, who for several years has organized sketch outs at the Minnesota State Fair that I could hardly wait for the Durham Fair.  I prepared for the day by making a few sketching trips to the zoo and by sketching from photos of animals from past years at the fair. 

Sketching the Durham Fair

I packed very light, a couple of pens Pentel Stylo (which ran out after the first sketch!) so I switched to a Pilot Varsity fountain pen (black). Both those pens have the advantage of having water soluble ink which allows me to create tonal washes very quickly with a water brush, ( I brought three of those with me).

Click image to enlarge

I also brought a Uni Kuru Toga .05 mechanical pencil.  When I'm sketching live animals I like to start with a quick pencil sketch before moving to ink. That way I can easily make corrections in proportions or erase if I start and the critter  moves and doesn't look like he'll be returning to that position any time soon.

Click image to enlarge

I usually don't bother to erase and just leave the pencil lines as part of the sketch. One of the things I was looking for at the fair were animals with interesting markings and animals that were in interesting poses or had interesting shapes.

I immediately loved the black spattered edges of the American Lineback, not to mention the Mohawk like mane along her backbone. This is a beautiful American heritage breed I learned from her owner.

The next two, Ayrshires were snuggled so close they looked like one big two headed cow!

Click image to enlarge

On to the chickens! Here I was definitely looking for great colors and interesting shapes.

Click image to enlarge

This handsome guy was very aware that I was admiring him, he kept fluffing his feathers and preening while I was sketching him.  His owner, also the owner of the Quail above was so happy that I chose his birds to sketch. That was one of the really great parts of the day, how excited the owners were that I chose their animals to sketch,

Click image to enlarge

Three types of sweet, gentle goats.  The Nubian with the long basset hound like ears gave me fits. Goats have bony, angular shaped heads and a straight on view was difficult, not to mention that this is a composite of two similar goats since neither one would stand still long enough for me to really get a likeness.  I went back a couple of times to look at them and re-work a bit, finally adding a white gel pen to help define the face.

Click image to enlarge

I love llamas, and I've seen this particular llama at the fair for many years. I've had the opportunity to sketch llamas and their cousins alpacas, a number of times and I finally think I have a handle on their shape and structure.  This lovely white one gave me an opportunity to go in with a nice dark background to make him pop off the page.  I should mention here that I'm using Golden QoR watercolors, in a Hand-Book Journal Co. 7x10 Fluid Watercolor paper journal, spiral bound.

Click image to enlarge

I like chickens a lot so after lunch (hot buttered lobster roll and chocolate cannoli) I went back to the poultry barn. These modern cockerels were just too terrific standing on on long leg, to pass up. I loved the shape they made.

Click on image to enlarge

Sheep, just so sweet.  Again, looking for great animals shapes, I was immediately drawn to the Shropshire with his neck stretched out eating hay. I always think the sheep look like they're dressed up for Halloween as super heroes when they wear their coverlets, and that's one thing I knew I wanted to sketch at the fair.

Click on image to enlarge

Last but certainly not least, the Belgian Hare. Big ears, fierce face and long body stretched out made a fine subject.  I owned rabbits for many, many years, with my last bunny passing at 15 years old, a year ago in  May.  I love rabbits and think the  hares  have a more wild and fierce look than most of the cuddly cute domestic rabbits, and because of that are fascinating to draw.

I was at the fair for 5 1/2 hours and stood while sketching.  I did remember to take breaks and walk around a bit. Bought some lovely goat's milk soap, and wandered through part of the craft fair tent. Still my back complained that night and for the next two days it was ice packs and Advil. BUT...totally worth it! This was one of the most fun sketching days I've ever had!  I'd do it again next year, and plan to.