Blog – Page 9 – Matthew French-Holt

Sketching Half Dome from the North

Overnighting on the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park, we hiked up from our campsite in Little Yosemite Valley to the Half Dome trail. The cables haven’t been installed on HD itself, so the trail isn’t officially open, but we only made it about 3/4 of the way until running into snow anyway. Made for a great location to sit and enjoy the view down into Yosemite Valley and up at Half Dome. Pulled out the graphite and sketchbook to record the iconic granite monolith from the north side .

Got hot while hiking, so zipped off the bottom half of my pant legs, but then cooled down when stopped so pulled the fleece out of my bag.

Sketch of JetBoil

Waiting for food to heat up while backpacking in Little Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park. Thought I’d sketch the stove, it’s been working great for about 10 years now.

Sketch of Yosemite Valley from Inspiration Point

Hiked up to Inspiration Point in Yosemite National Park (do all parks have an inspiration point?)

Sitting at Inspiration Point I couldn’t not sketch the valley. Here’s the view overlooking Yosemite Valley, photographed and then sketched. Fun to pull out the charcoal pencils again.

Sketch of Merced River around Happy Isles, Yosemite

Lunch on a rock in the Merced River at the Happy Isles, Yosemite.

Graphite sketch of Half Dome in Yosemite

While visiting Yosemite National Park we stopped to eat lunch at the beginning of the Lower Yosemite Falls trail. From my seat on the bench I could see Half Dome and decided it was a perfect opportunity for a quick sketch.

Suspension bridge in Yosemite

First night in Yosemite National Park we hiked up a trail near our campground and went across a suspension bridge along the way. On the way back we stopped and enjoyed the view while I sketched it.

My favorite part might be the inclusion of the sketchbook at the bottom of the sketch. I thought about adding another one inside it, but thought that might be a bit much.

The Cure for Boredom is Curiosity – there is No Cure for Curiosity

9×6″ Ink & Watercolor on sketch paper

I was bored once, then I wondered what there was to do.

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. ~ Dorothy Parker

I Still Check Out my Wife

9×6″ Ink & Watercolor on sketch paper

She’s my ideal woman and the standard that all other women are held to.

I still check out my wife.

Artists Don’t Have to Apologize for Being Eccentric

9×6″ Ink & Watercolor on sketch paper

Not that anyone else does, either. Be yourself and be proud!

Artists don’t have to apologize for being eccentric.

Don’t Hang Out with People that Suck!

9×6″ Ink & Watercolor on sketch paper

Important advice to keep in mind. Don’t forget that this works both ways and you also need to not suck.

Don’t hang out with people that suck!