Escaping the southern heat, but went to the other extreme

Over the weekend, temperature in South Bay is projected to be close to 40 degrees. Given that I don't have the option of staying later in the office to escape the heat, and that sunset is very late in the evening, I was glad that the meetup for the week was taking place at Fort Point, one of the most windy places in SF!

The fort itself is situated right under the ramp of Golden Gate Bridge, right on the coastline. I've drew in and around this location for a few times already, but there's always some color variations every time I visit. The sea appeared especially green on this occasion. And since I arrived relatively early before noon, the further bridge pillar was casting a really interesting twisted shadow on the distant hill (probably because of the curved slopes) I also found myself a nice parking space facing the scenery, so I could spread out my supplies on my front windshield (no need to balance them on a pole anymore!) while I leaned against my car.

After completing this piece, I ventured on top of the roof of the fort. It was already freezing inside the structure (I assume the open top let all the captured heat escape) I had my drawing pad flip against my face at least twice while I was drawing. Even as we had a break between to share the sketches and chat in the sun outside, I cannot feel my fingers after finishing the two pieces. Only then did I come to appreciate the heat retained by my car under the sun.

Rocks and rocks and more rocks, at the foot of Golden Gate Bridge

I was came across this location and sketched more than a year ago, except that was when I needed to be in Presidio but ended up at Fort Point because of a mix-up when searching in GoogleMaps. Fortunately, it made finding the place this time extra easy. I pulled into the first parking lot I saw after getting off the high way (on top of the east battery hill) and then descended down the slopes to Marine Drive. 

After doing some interiors of Fort Point (I totally thought it was a solid building from the outside, but it had a huge open courtyard in the middle through all 3 floors), I decided to get some sun outside. 

The shadows under GG bridge isn't very dramatic at this hour, but it is always tons of fun trying to get the perspective correct. (You could see my missed attempt: the red smudge on the left)
There were a lot of boats crowding around the second tower. Turns out there was a major boat race, Three Bridge Fiasco, going on and the contestants were having trouble going against the flow of water gushing out to the open sea.

After gathering to discuss our results at Fort Point, I settled to do another piece facing the other way. There was a sharp contrast between the dark hills and the bright skyline in the background. I left the skyline alone most of the time, because the rocks took an endless effort. A gentleman passing by waited, commenting,"I want to see you do the water". Unfortunately 20 mins later I'm still working on the rocks...so he left ;A;
 Maybe waiting till high tide is a good idea

ps. I never seems to realize I drew a slanted horizon until I scanned and looked at it in Photoshop. Ughhhhh

Golden Gate Bridge All Day

Went with the SF Sketchers to the Home Land Security Art Exhibition at the West batteries near GG Bridge. Unfortunately (or rather fortunately), I got lost on the way (typing in Fort Winfield Scott in Google Maps somehow defaults to Fort Point at the very northern edge of San Francisco). At this point, I finally realized that something is horribly wrong, since the description in the meetup clearly says Presidio, but my remaining route can no way lead uphill. Since the ending point is already nearing, I decided to just accept the fact, parked my bike, and drew whatever I can. 

 The shadow on the left from the hills was so interesting I abandoned the bridge all together!

This is after I went to the correct meet up point (finally!) and drew the expected view. The weather was nice and warm, but the wind was so strong I could hardly see amidst my free-flying hair... For some reason, there were a few people down at the very bottom of the cliff (looks no more than a moving speck of dust from where I was standing), wonder how they got there...

Fog at Fort Mason and first figure drawing session!

 Since even the earliest Caltrain couldn't get me to the morning session of the Figure Drawing event, I hung out on the hills overlooking Fort Mason and drew the foggy landscape while waiting for the afternoon session. (Turns out the there was really no cut-off entry time for the event, but I was too scared to intrude in late anyways...) Since this is where all the cycling tourists pass by on their bike tour of the coast (and who inevitably all stop and rest because it is the top of the hill after a steep climb), I put on my earphone to avoid any noise......and to avoid mistaking the wows' aimed at the scenery for my painting instead :P

As a self-claimed landscape drawer, I had to admit figure drawing is much harder than I imagined. My pen just refuses to curve! (especially my first attempt, first one on the left page)

The event was organized by SF Models' Guild...and man were the rooms crowded!

Golden Gate Bridge at sunset

Was showing a few friends around the city and somehow managed to reach the bridge before sunset (walked all the way from Fisherman's Wharf!). Two of the three stamps on the left dissolved with the watercolour _(:3」∠)_ all the work for nothing ;A;

Hawk Hill overlook, Marin Headland, SF

Second time on Hawk Hill and first time seeing the bridge not covered by fog! The lights on the bridge and from the cars started to show through as dusk set in. The Bay bridge is also visible in the distance on the left...and I crammed the hills on the right together just to fit in the TV tower haha