Washington, DC, Part 3: Memorials, Monuments and “Trophies”

 

3/29/26 Lincoln Memorial

Traveling with others who are not sketchers always presents a significant challenge (I talked about some solutions I found during my years of travel with Greg in this post and with other family members in this post). I know that tension is a common issue because the question comes up frequently when talking about travel sketching: "How can I sketch while traveling without the others in my party getting bored or impatient?"

During our short visit to DC, I knew I’d be doing most of my touring with family members, including a toddler. Since the main point of the trip was our reunion, it was my top priority to share experiences with my family. At the same time, while most of the others had been to DC before, it was my first visit, and I wanted to sketch “everything” (impossible under any circumstance, but the feeling was there). If I didn’t give myself enough sketching time, I would end up feeling frustrated.

The solution for me came naturally: Sketch quickly and sketch small. (These guidelines also work well during high heat, as I talked about here.) On a day when my family decided to tour as many memorials and monuments near the National Mall as possible, I never made them wait. When I saw something I wanted to sketch, I indicated that I was pausing, and the rest of the group slowly meandered on. I kept an eye on their direction and easily caught up.

3/29/26 World War II Memorial and Vietnam War Memorial

At other stops, I simply decided I didn’t have to sketch “everything” I saw. What did I do instead? Snap photos like a “normal” tourist! (I guarantee that years from now, I will remember those I snapped only vaguely, if at all, while the ones I sketched are firmly etched in my memory.)

It was hard not to stop for a sketch at the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden! Evoking the Eagle at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park, the red sculpture is by Alexander Calder.

One of the most visually haunting sights was the Korean War Veterans Memorial, where 19 life-size sculptures depict soldiers trudging through muddy battlefields. I would have liked to sketch one of them.

At the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, we all had different interests, so we agreed to split up and meet back at an appointed time. My frustration there was not about being with family; it was that the museum was mobbed! As in all natural history museums, my primary interest was the prehistoric animal skeletons, but it was just too hard to see exhibits easily and sketch comfortably with so many people all around.

3/29/26 Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Although I managed part of a mastodon and the museum’s mascot elephant, that was all I could tolerate. I retreated outdoors, where the museum entrance is flanked by three brand new bronze sculptures of American bison. Only weeks in their new home, the larger-than-life bull, cow and calf were made by wildlife artist Gary Staab. How did I not know that the bison was our national mammal?

One of three bronze bison outside the museum entrance

Wanting to spend a little more time on the Lincoln Memorial than on other sketches I’d made that day, I let the others know where I would be: Squeezed against a barrier behind me to avoid being jostled by the masses. Speedy as I am, I don’t think I tried my family’s patience, even with slower colored pencils (top of post).

The next day was a prearranged meetup with USk friend Joel (see yesterday’s post for our time at the Tidal Basin). After we had gotten our fill of cherry blossoms, we had lunch at a museum café, then made our way to the Capitol. Visible from every direction, the Capitol building is a formidable architectural challenge. Typically, I favor speed over accuracy, but with our nation’s capitol, I took the time to take rough measurements (with a fair amount of mental sweat). Without the staggering crowds elsewhere and with comfortable weather, it was an enjoyable challenge and my most relaxing and leisurely sketch experience of the trip.

3/30/26 The U.S. Capitol (A beautiful, sunny afternoon after two days of bitter wind and cold!)

Joel and I show off our trophies! Whew -- that building is a challenge!

After Joel and I had parted ways, I checked in with my family, and they happened to be on the opposite side of the Capitol building. I suggested that we meet at the base of the Ulysses S. Grant monument in front of it. In the time that it took them to walk around the building, I sketched Grant for National Pencil Day.

3/30/26 Ulysses S. Grant monument near the Capitol (sketched with a Derwent Drawing pencil on National Pencil Day)

When planning the trip, I had three “trophy” sketches in mind: the Jefferson Memorial with cherry blossoms, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Capitol. Check, check and check!