New Mexico 2007 Sketchbook, Part Two: Santa Fe
Continued from: New Mexico Sketchbook, Part One: Taos
After a couple of days in Taos we headed down to Santa Fe and stopped for lunch at Rancho de Chimayó, a rambling, bustling restaurant featuring authentic Northern New Mexico cuisine.
We ate well: bright pink prickly pear margaritas, warm sopaipillas with honey, posole, carne adovado, and assorted sauces featuring local chilies. Yum!
Around Town
Santa Fe is one of my favorite towns. It is tourist-y to be sure, but the unique aesthetics of the region are not diminished and there are details to savor everywhere. Although it is a somewhat sprawling city the historic area is very walk-able, laid out on a grid around the Santa Fe Plaza. There are other interesting neighborhoods within walking distance as well. And on every block, great sketching opportunities.
On one walk I found my dream house; at least from the outside! On a dirt road and walking distance to the center of town, it is a true adobe building with five intriguing doorways. And it was for sale, but no, we didn’t buy it. 🙂
Another favorite restaurant of mine is La Casa Sena. They have tables outside in an enclosed and tree-shaded courtyard. We ate there on a warm breezy evening and it was sublime.
Sketching on the Go
As you can see, there is lots of adobe to draw and paint in Santa Fe! The colors vary dramatically as the light changes. It was fun to mix up each batch of watercolor and try to get it just right. I used the same paint colors as I did in Taos, which worked quite well.
We were in Santa Fe right after Labor Day and the town was deserted! It was actually a bit eerie, but it was easy to move around, get into restaurants and museums, and to stand on the street working in my sketchbook. As I often do when traveling, I did the ink drawing on site and added the watercolor in the evenings and on the plane ride home.
I love Northern New Mexico environments, both natural and man-made. Pink-y brown adobe, warm blue details and sky, red chili ristras, and strong Mexican and Indian influences make the built atmosphere very alluring. And, the surrounding desert, subtle in neutrals, pinks and muted grey-greens and -blues, spectacularly sets off mountains and canyon walls with their warm red/orange/pink hues.
The light is special too. In September it was strong and bright: at other times it can be sparkly, almost electric, or fiery and glowing. The light enlivens the scenery and highlights the unique details of this extraordinary landscape.
See Also:
- New Mexico 2007 Sketchbook, Part One: Taos
- Santa Fe 2008 Sketch Grids
- Santa Fe 2008 Sketchbook
- Other Travel Sketchbooks
Related Topics: Landscapes, New Mexico, Travel Sketching
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March 22nd, 2010 at 3:57 am
where can these books be purchased?
November 9th, 2007 at 3:34 am
I love being transported to a different place as I do not travel much but love to armchair travel.. I really feel like I am learning about the areas you visit and experiencing it through yourwords and your creativity and your incredible gift of sharing your knowledge about the process. Thanks so much. sherry
November 8th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
It seems like New Mexico is a perfect match for your wonderful watercolor palette and sketching style. The soft rosy warm colors and clear warm light shine in each picture. I remember Taos very fondly though I’m sure it’s quite different from my last trip there 30 years ago! I like your new website format and how easy it is to find the information you so generously share.
November 8th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
I loved looking through your New Mexico drawings and links. I’ve never been there and it looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing your trip!
November 8th, 2007 at 6:16 am
Oh my gosh Martha, had I realized you were in New Mexico, we could have met for coffee ! I live in this wonderful land of enchantment.
It looks to me like you had a great time and I really enjoyed seeing your sketches. You captured the essence of this area perfectly.
And, you had the yummy food as well.
When you make a return trip, let me know !!
November 7th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Just loving your pink stucco houses! These drawings are such a great remembrance of your trip.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Thank you everyone!
Karen: That is a great question about sketching while traveling with others. I have often wondered how others approach it as well.
When I am out with my husband he is very patient, and even sketches a bit. But when traveling with non-artists (as in this case) I don’t want to hold everyone up. What I did this time was go off on my own for a couple hours here and there, and then sketched as fast as I could!
I also travel alone sometimes, which I don’t mind and which allows me to do the most sketching.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Oh Martha – this is a wonderful series. Northern New Mexico is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and you paint it so well.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Your journals are lovely. They have a sense of place to them. It almost makes me want to overcome being journal challenged. Almost ;D
November 5th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
This is a wonderful series. As I was reading and looking at the sketches I wondered how you negotiate the “we” and the sketching. It seems a tough balance when I’ve traveled with people to be able to capture nice sketches while not boring them to death. But maybe you were traveling with other artists …
November 5th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Hi!
I’m getting the idea of how you use your sketch book on your travels. Sounds like great fun in New Mexico. My husband & I took a trip to Cancun, Mexico in Sept. I did some sketching there. They do have lots of color too.
Thanks for sharing. Andrea
November 5th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
I enjoy reading of your travels and your sketches of the highlights of your trip is a highlight of my day.