I almost didn’t post these sketches from the Tilden Park Merry-go-round because I was so frustrated drawing them. But I think it’s interesting to see when others post things that challenged them so here you go.
I try to find something positive in work that doesn’t succeed overall. The one above was the last one I did as I was leaving. I really like the trees in the background and most everything else EXCEPT the messed up shape of the building that houses this wonderful 100-year-old carousel.
I did the one above sitting on a bench inside the building trying to sort out the perspective and the way the whole thing fits together. Meanwhile the smells of burning popcorn and greasy hot dogs were making feel rather ill. I really struggled but in the end I think I got the understanding of what is a merry-go-round and how it works, though you can’t tell from this mess.
Another one that I struggled with. The little girl calmly rides while the horse seems to be expressing my struggle. And boy are the perspective and ellipses way, way off!
Another quickie with the horse expressing my feelings: “Get me out of here! It’s too hard to draw!” My friend Cathy did some nice sketches of the carousel, posted here on our Urban Sketchers blog.
Jana Bouc, Artist 
14 replies on “Funky Tilden Carousel Sketches”
I’m pretty sure I rode on that carousel when I was about 7! So I think you captured the image pretty well! There’s a carousel in a local mall and I haven’t tried to draw it because it keeps starting and stopping. Brave attempt! Bravo.
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Thanks Dana! I like your idea of a “brave” attempt. Indeed. I should give myself credit for that bravery as it did seem overwhelmingly complicated, especially with all the decorative painting and carving! It’s really beautiful and old–you’d never see craftsmanship and hand carving and casting like that now. I took my kids there when they were little. Jana
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I prefer “messed up shapes”.
Your sketches give a good expression of both place and experience.
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Thanks so much Tim. I too prefer messed up shapes when I look at other people’s work–perfect is boring. But I tend to judge my own harshly. I’m so delighted by your comment that it gave a good expression of place and experience because that is what I was going for. Jana
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I know what you mean Jana, I’m always disappointed with “imperfections” in my own work – but they are often what I find most appealing in the work of others. It is perhaps those “imperfections” that help convey an experience and express personal character rather than merely record an observation.
A good friend continually tells me that “neat is boring”.
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I haven’t been on that carousel since I was a kid (I think!). You really captured the flavor of that park too-the whole thing is sort of nostalgic. Don’t worry so much about the other stuff:):):)
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Thanks for telling me not to worry. I appreciate that. My neighbor always tells me that, and reminds me life is too short to waste it worrying. You’re both so right! Jana
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I do appreciate your posting the challenges. I feel like I always learn from you!
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You definitely chose a difficult subject! Before reading your words, when I first saw that top image I thought, ‘wow, what an interesting building!’. I loved the shape of the roof, it made it fun.
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Thanks Raena, I appreciate your encouragement. jana
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You know, there’s just so much going on in a carousel…even taking meaningful pictures is a challenge. Perhaps focusing in on one horse (like one of your sketches?), but then you lose the dynamism of the whole. I don’t know; keep on sketching!
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Thanks for the good suggestions. You’re right about all of them. Jana
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I LO-OVE them, Jana. Maybe, like Tim, I adore “messed up shapes.” But seriously, I don’t REALLY see them as messed up. I think they fit the scene and are full of motion (including dizziness), smells of greasy hot dogs and burned pop corn and sticky spun sugar. How I loved places like this when I was a kid. Your pictures just fit Ray Bradbury’s book, DANDELION WINE,
that I am re-reading and that is full of that same 8-12-year-old world where you run everywhere in new summer sneakers.
annie
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Thank you so much! It’s always amazing to find that the ones I don’t like or feel are failures might speak to someone else and even bring back childhood memories. I know I read Dandelion Wine, but it was so long ago I forget which stories are in that book. Is the Savannah in there? I read that as a kid and it freaked me out! Jana
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