Look up! Often, the tops of buildings still have their ornate 19th-century decorations or complex brickwork. Windows may be a lovely shape, or made of stained or leaded glass. You may discover a door leading to nowhere—what a mystery that is!
Look down at your feet. Is there some marvelous mosaic you’ve overlooked a hundred times? A new wildflower blooming in the local park, or a strange bird? Can you see tracks in the mud and figure out the story written there?
It pays to change your point of view. Once, I laid on my back on a picnic table and discovered a whole new perspective to draw from as the trees reached for light overhead. Also check the backs of familiar buildings. In my town, they tend to have a charming European feel.
If you feel more comfortable, set yourself up in your car to sketch in safety and convenience—that’s what I did, below. My glove box door makes a dandy mini art desk.
I was minding the store at an art show in my town and listening to my buddy Kevin play some tunes. So, how could I fail to see and sketch this mysterious door on the second floor across the street! Toned paper made it especially interesting to me.
The buildings in downtown Liberty sometimes have a split personality! The street level may have been modernized—and almost all have changed from their original purpose many times over—but the second floor is a time capsule of ornate brickwork and ornamentation.