Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey

Raritan Avenue Watercolor Sketch

Raritan Avenue in Highland Park, New Jersey, watercolor
Raritan Avenue in Highland Park, New Jersey, watercolor on paper by Leora Wenger, 2011

Last night I did this sketch of a block of Raritan Avenue in Highland Park, New Jersey. Can anyone who has been to Highland Park guess which block it is (between which street and which street)? I hope to do more – this one has a lot of grays and blues, and I used some yellow straight from the tube which seems to pop. That’s OK for a sketch, but I want to work on more details.

If you have been to Route 27 also known as Raritan Avenue, you will know there are usually tons of cars. I used photos from a few hours before the 2009 Memorial Day Parade, when the street was clear of cars.

Rayna Eliana says

What a lovely scene, and a very tranquil one, which I realize is not the norm!

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leoraw says

Yes, Raritan Avenue is often abuzz with cars and the occasional ambulance rushing to one of the hospitals in New Brunswick.

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Robin from Israel says

It's really lovely. It's been so long since I was there though that I have no hope at all of identifying the block.

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leoraw says

Thanks - I appreciate the encouragement.

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Ilana-Davita says

I obviously cannot recognize the location but really like your painting. I don't think you have ever posted a street scene on your blog before. I hope we'll see the "end product".

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leoraw says

I've already started another Raritan Avenue painting. I don't know if I would call it an "end product" - each one is a work in progress. I had planned to do several radish kale paintings, for example, but then I decided to leave that subject and go to Highland Park streetscapes.

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ASF says

It looks like it's on the south side of the street, maybe between 2nd and 3rd?

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ASF says

My other guess is that it's the north side of the same block, but near Jerusalem Pizza and Mei Garden. But overall, my gut says it's on the south side of the street, because of the "house-y" look to many of the buidings.

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leoraw says

Your second guess is correct! Glad you enjoyed commenting, and I hope you will visit again.

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Jill says

These are absolutely gorgeous! You have such a recognizable style. That's something that can't be taught. Really lovely.
I could see these going over well as greeting cards and small prints at The Moongate Shop...

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leoraw says

Thanks, Jill.

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Please leave a comment! I love to hear from you.

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