
Here is the lion that guards the door at the hotel beside the chubby cherubs on Harrison Street. I love his big nose and stylized fist. I sketched this from the photo on my monitor from across the room, to simulate drawing from life as best I could. I did a complete pencil sketch with shading and then drew over that with my Pentel Pocket Brush Pen and then decided to erase all the pencil shading and paint him with watercolor. Here’s a photo of the building.

A couple weeks ago when I posted my sketches from the library and Peet’s Coffee I mentioned the old man in a weathered, WWII leather aviator cap and his 1940s era bicycle that Cathy sketched. I adored the way she captured this funny old character who was selling bike parts to a young man so I asked her to send me scans. She did, and now I get to post them below.


5 replies on “Lion Door Guard and Cathy’s Bike Guy”
Your lion looks very English – and very cool indeed. One thing I admire about you is your willingness to get out and sketch in public.
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I really love the lion, a very strong yet relatable figure. He oozes respect but isn’t domineering.
I love your interpretation. Beautiful.
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Yep, I agree with Sherry! I think it is so cool that you are able to go out and do art in front of people. That’s a level of confidence and/or comfort that I don’t have. Maybe you can do it because your results are consistently good…..!
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Hi Jana, I enjoy visiting your sketches, they’re wonderful!
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What a character(s) that lion is! Every time I glance back at it, I see a different story and personality.
I enjoyed Cathy’s bike man, speaking of characters, and his great bike.
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