Nameless Mound in the Caldera

I find myself returning to the Valles Caldera again and again, always finding new sights. Not every sketch receives the time it deserves, and on this day I only remember being busy before my partner and I decided to unwind with a drive. I always bring my sketchbook just in case, and while he settled into his music, I turned to sketching.

It was drizzling, and I chose one of the most iconic sights in the caldera. There is a nameless rise in the empty grassy bowl that stands out on its own, and it felt like the perfect subject to clear my mind. I became absorbed in suggesting every tree I thought I saw, and the road made a natural line through the composition. Adding the passing cars gave the scene a sense of scale. I would have loved to add color, but there will always be other times to return and try again.

Micron pen and pencil on paper. About 20 min. sketch.