Seattle Produce Market
On my recent Seattle trip I spent an afternoon sketching but didn’t have time to draw at the Public Market. I did take a few quick photos though.
I often take pictures with the intention of later sketching, but rarely get around to actually doing it! This time though I didn’t want to miss a chance to draw one of the luscious produce displays.
The Public Market is filled with amazing produce, flower, and fish displays; huge piles of healthy and colorful goods, artfully arranged. I am sure I could spend a full day happily sketching there.
I drew this sketch from the photo, directly in ink. The sketch is small, as are all my sketches: 5.5 x 3 inches. You can see that it isn’t exactly like the picture but all the main components are there. The best part was adding the watercolor; so many colors!
I wasn’t sure if I should paint in the signs (see below) but went ahead anyway. I am not sure which version I like better; what do you think?
Before Signs Painted
Related Post: Sketching in Seattle
Related Topics: Food, Seattle, Still Life, Travel Sketching
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March 1st, 2008 at 6:19 am
Delightful! I too love the produce markets! I prefer the one with the signs painted in too. They definitely finish off the sketch. I sketched outside in a market in Sicily — it was a bit unnerving at first with people literally standing over my shoulder watching but then I got the best fruit from the vendor who was proud that I thought his fruits and veggies were worthy of a painting!
October 11th, 2007 at 3:37 am
I always enjoy and am inspired by your travel sketches. I live in WI, and recently got back from a trip to Seattle and the San Juans. Check my blog if you have time for the cool picture I got from the plane of Mt. Rainier. I’m impressed you sketched at Pike Place at all – the place was a madhouse when we were there. I do have pictures of artichokes as big as a kid’s head, and I may try to work from my photo.
April 28th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
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April 9th, 2007 at 11:57 am
I agree, it’s a gorgeous sketch and the painted signs fit in better and don’t draw attention to themselves the way the white ones do.
April 8th, 2007 at 6:26 am
Yummy. The signs really finsih the sketch.
April 7th, 2007 at 9:33 am
I love Pike Place Market! It’s so full of signts, sounds, smells, and things to paint. I haven’t been to Seattle in a few years and this brings back all of those memories.
April 6th, 2007 at 6:00 am
wonderful (tiny!) painting. Pikes Market is so full of things to paint it’s a wonder you could narrow down a subject. just lovely!
April 5th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Terrific job – has the spontaneity of having been sketched on the spot – hard to achieve with a photo. I think it is gorgeous and it needs the prices.
April 4th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
…another wonderful painting! Please, do more of them! We’re waiting!
April 3rd, 2007 at 9:28 pm
These are great. I had an idea for something similar when I was buying from a veggie/fruit stand in Venice, Italy last summer. Took some photos and might revist them. I like it with the signs as well.
April 3rd, 2007 at 6:54 pm
I like it with the prices. I think you see the colors in the veggies better when the signs were blank (is that the scan, though?) but it felt unfinished. The prices on the signs make it look more, well, RIGHT. What a great place that must be to paint and photograph!
April 3rd, 2007 at 3:54 pm
It’s interesting to see the two stages – I think the prices distract a little from the fruit, but the blank ones are odd in terms of the story’ of the work so I would go with the prices in. It’s notable how much more satisfying the sketches are than the photo, I think.
April 3rd, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Both, but I like it with the signs painted, just a bit better. Are you going on the next East Bay Sketchcrawl? I’m going to really try to make it.
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:29 am
This is a beautiful drawing of the marketplace. Great colors and composition. I love your work!
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:49 am
Definitely painted in. I never would have guessed that was from a photo! It’s wonderful.
April 3rd, 2007 at 6:57 am
i like how you painted the signs.. the final sketch is beautiful 🙂
April 3rd, 2007 at 1:06 am
Martha, to me your sketch looks as spontaneous as if you’d done it from life – which I guess is down to a combination of experience and having soaked up that market atmosphere. I much prefer the version with signs painted in. They’re part of the scene.
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:52 pm
This is beautiful, Martha, wonderful colors! I like the prices painted in, it makes the market come alive.
Ronell
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Nice work. Looks better with the signs painted, blank they look a bit odd.
Like the way you spread the purple around, which of course aids color harmony.
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:42 am
Great sketch, Martha. As usual, full of wonderful detail.
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:41 am
oh how wonderful… i am only a few miles from the market and rarely get down there, and have yet to visit the sculpture park either. looks like you are going to get me to explore mine own city soon rather then later… thanks. your sketch is great, and i like the labels painted in too.
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:37 am
I love Pike Place Market! It’s a long drive down from Victoria, but we go every once in a while. We don’t buy anything because of the border restrictions on fresh produce and spices, but it is so inspiring!
We always imagine how we would use this or that in our cooking, so it’s fun! Plus all the free samples and tastes you get just wandering around!
I too, prefer the version with the painted in signs. Makes the produce stand more realsitic and you could make a story out of it.
Lovely paintimg!
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:58 am
WONDERFUL!!! I THINK MARKETS ARE SO RICH FOR SKETCHING OPPORTUNITIES!
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:55 am
I like the one better where you painted in the signs. Otherwise, the blank signs draw my attention away from the produce. Isn’t Pike Market one of the greatest markets in the world? When I’m there, I’m just positive I’m a gourmet cook, although nothing could be further from the actuality.
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:54 am
Martha I love these pictures, so glad that you went back and did the paintings from the photo. One of the things I noticed first about the photo was the nifty price signs, so I am very glad you painted them in in the sketch. Thanks for all of your inspiration. Rachel in San Diego