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Today’s part of the Kansas City tour takes us to a neighborhood called Westport and Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, erected in 1906. It’s one of the oldest Roman Catholic congregations in Kansas City and one of the largest stone structures in Westport.
The green domes are perhaps the most defining feature and I guess that’s why Philippe suggested I sketch them (or maybe he was suggesting the entire church… oh well… too late now!) The Westport area is known for it’s night life and shops, so this church is a less expected structure, majestically towering above the busy scene.
This was another quick sketch at under 20 minutes, and lacks a symmetry that I only noticed when it was complete! I used just Payne’s Gray, Burnt Sienna, Cobalt Blue, Cobalt Teal and Hooker’s Green (yes… still giggle when I type that last name…). One of the things I’ve found in fast doodlewashing is a limited palette is very helpful and I chose this palette before I even started the sketch.
In a world where houses are torn down often for newer homes or to make way for new businesses and roads, these churches continue to stand, defiant against the changing times. They’re a wonderful preservation of history and represent architectural structures that we’re unlikely to ever see built again. And because of that, they make a wonderful subject for sketching and doodlewashing!
Really nice! What are the domes green from? Is it verdigris due to being copper or are they painted green?
Thanks Teresa! They are really just green! Hehe… They are painted that way which makes them rather unique.
Wacky! Who’d think to paint a church dome green (besides the people who built that church…LOL!)?
Haha… I know! It really stands out though, so maybe that was their plan! 😉
And it worked so well! 😀
I like the energetic color strokes on pillar and off-course sky! 🙂
Hehe…thanks Snehal!! Glad it reads as energetic strokes and not frantic….trying to sketch fast and still learning. Hehe 😊
I like the idea of drawing partial buildings, especially for unique structures like this. Love that green…what was it called? 😁😜
Haha! You just want me to say it again. Okay!! Hooker’s Green!! (😂😂😂😂) Ahhh…that never gets old!! Thanks Kari!!
Love the light blue and the turquoise blue!!! It´s so pretty together in this picture! Can´t wait to see more of KC!!! 😊
Thanks so much Ann!! Still not sure about some of these fast sketches, but it’s all the time I have lately. So happy you like them!! 😃
They´re really nice! It looks that they´re done quickly, but ain´t that the meaning of sketching? Otherwise it would be a drawing. 😊
True!! Words like drawing and painting sound too serious for me. That’s why I coined “doodlewash”…no pressure then! Just fun! Hehe
“Doodlewash” is perfect! 😊
😀 Man, that’s great! I’m joining the emoticons club. 😀 😀 😀
Yes please! Then you can say all sorts of things! 😎👍🏻lol
love your style Charlie O! It’s like a sketch, yet like a photo … You have such keen eye and hand!
Hehe…thanks Jodi! I wonder if that’s because I used to be a photoblogger a few years ago. I was really into photography for a time. 😊
This is AWESOME Charlie! You are really getting good at these quick sketches! WOWZA! What brand of ink pen do you like to use? And I like how you painted you sky too! 😊
Thanks so much Jill!! Appreciate the encouragement!! I use a Platinum Carbon Fountain pen…I have a link to it under my category “supplies”!
Thanks for pointing this out to me, Charlie! Everyone has a little different set-up on their blog so I did not think to look there. 😊
No worries!! That post was ages ago, so I can attest that the pen is awesome!!! Hehe…I use it every day now. 😃👍🏻
Beautifully done and framed, I totally second Jodi’s comment. I think the speed of the sketch enhances its power and presence and immediacy on the page! Rock on, my friend!
Thank you so much Laura! 💜😃 I’m really liking this fast sketch thing. Glad you like them too!!
Beautiful sketching. Love focus on the architectural detail, so often they get lost in the overall beauty of the building. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for commenting friend! I’m pleased you like it!! 😃