First Post

So I was thinking about going sketching the other night while staying down in LA. I couldn't think of where to go. Sort of like when you go to rent a video and even though you have a million you want to see, you go blank once you get there. Hence, this field guide.
This blog also serves my obsession with location sketching and my interest in documenting some of these places.
Some spots will be well known and others will be little places I’ve found over the years that are fun and provide cool and unique things to draw.

Chinatown, Downtown Los Angeles- This is a great spot for sketching and just hanging out. Tons of architecture to draw and lots of people hanging out. I usually go down to the Old Chinatown Plaza. It's at 930 North Broadway. And now Chung King Road across the street has galleries. This has created a good gallery scene and you can go and draw then hit an opening if you plan ahead. Here's the Wiki entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chung_King_Road Used to be deserted. But walk around and you'll find all sorts of great little alleys, shops etc.
Also Olvera Street and Philippes are nearby so you can get kick ass taquitos ( http://www.cielitolindo.org/ ) or awesome beef dip sandwiches ( http://www.philippes.com/ ). And of course you’re in downtown LA. So lot’s of cool sketch spots everywhere. So plan to make a day of it.
Take something to add color to your sketches since there is lots of it here. If you head down Alameda north a little bit there are some good spots to set up your oils and get some good views of downtown LA without a lot of people bothering you.

Here’s a map:
http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTExNmIycG51BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLWJ1dHRvbgRzbGsDbGluaw--#mvt=m&lat=34.064631&lon=-118.237093&zoom=16&q1=930%20North%20Broadway%20los%20angeles%20ca