Sketching the Sound: Jazz, Murals & River Light — New Orleans (3 days)
An improvisational, soulful, tactile 3-day artist-focused itinerary in New Orleans (November). Emphasis on plein-air sketching at river edges and mural corridors, visits to local galleries and studios, hands-on material hunts at salvage and supply shops, and intimate jazz performances that feed a painter’s rhythm. Designed for practicing artists who want immersive, local, non-touristy creative inf
Highlights
- Plein-air sketching of the Mississippi skyline at Crescent Park and Woldenberg Park
- Interactive sound-architecture at Music Box Village
- Warehouse District gallery visits (Arthur Roger Gallery, Ogden Museum)
- Material hunts at Artist & Craftsman Supply and The Green Project salvage shop
- Evening jazz on Frenchmen Street (Three Muses, d.b.a.)
- Algiers ferry ride for golden-hour skyline sketches
Itinerary
Day 1
Bywater & Marigny: River light, supplies, interactive sound art and first-night intimate jazz on Frenchmen Street.
Plein-air sketching at Crescent Park — riverlight and skyline
Morning sketch session with wide views of the Mississippi and the New Orleans skyline; great for establishing tonal studies and observing river traffic.
Tips from local experts:
- November light is crisp and early golden-hour can be around 7:00–8:00; for softer contrast aim to start around 9:00 for long shadows without harsh heat.
- Bring a portable stool and a board — there are benches but some prime mounds are grassy; check the park map for flat spots near the river levee for unobstructed views.
- Watch for riverboat movements and photographers — use the steamboat whistles and passing barges as rhythmic cues for quick gesture sketches.
Art-supply stop: Artist & Craftsman Supply — restock & demo
Browse locally-loved mid-price paints, papers and tools; staff often point to locally favored brands and quick-demo materials for plein-air needs.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask staff for recommendations on paper weights and portable panels for wet November mornings — they know which papers handle damp air best.
- Bring a photo or swatch of a color you want (phone photo) so staff can match pigments quickly.
- If you plan wet-medium work, get a small plastic palette and portable brush washer — local artists recommend these for quick cleanups between sites.
Long lunch and communal vibe at Bacchanal — plot sketches & listen
Casual, artist-friendly courtyard for unhurried conversation, wine, small plates and live acoustic music (check the afternoon program). Good time to review morning studies and make compositional notes.
Tips from local experts:
- Sit in the backyard when possible — shaded nooks and ambient music are ideal for drawing and quick color studies.
- Bring small samples or ink swatches to compare with wine labels and food colors for palette inspiration.
- If you want a quieter corner for sketching, ask staff about less-used tables away from the stage; they are used to artists lingering with sketchbooks.
Music Box Village — interactive sound-architecture exploration
A unique collective of playable houses and sonic sculptures — great for tactile inspiration, quick drawings of structure and rhythm-based plein-air studies in an artsy compound.
Tips from local experts:
- Check their daily schedule in advance — some days have open studios or artist-led tours that allow up-close sketching of mechanisms.
- Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to sit or crouch — some best viewpoints are low to the ground and slightly off the beaten path.
- Record short audio loops (with permission) to bring back rhythmic cues for studio sessions; the textures of the instruments translate to gestural mark-making.
Evening live music & small plates at Three Muses — Frenchmen Street
An intimate listening room with locally-rooted musicians; perfect for drawing musicians in low light and soaking up melodic phrasing.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a small table if you plan to sketch — light is low; bring a clutch LED book-light or use your phone on low brightness for discreet illumination.
- Arrive early to claim a seat with a side view of the musicians; latecomers often stand near the stage.
- Respect listening etiquette: sketch silently and use small pencil studies rather than noisy materials; the intimacy rewards close observational drawing.
Day 2
Warehouse District & riverfront: gallery conversations, museum context, a long riverfront plein-air session, and a night of raw jazz improvisation.
Arthur Roger Gallery — local contemporary gallery visit
Focused exposure to New Orleans contemporary painters and installation artists; small gallery where curators and owners are approachable for studio leads.
Tips from local experts:
- Call ahead to check current shows and whether a gallery rep can flag local artists for studio visits; this gallery is friendly to working artists seeking deeper context.
- Photography rules vary by exhibit — ask permission before photographing artworks for reference.
- Use this visit to ask about artist recommendations for private studio tours in the Warehouse District.
Ogden Museum of Southern Art — southern visual context & quiet sketching
A deeper look into Southern visual arts and regional artists; offers context for color palettes and narrative threads that can inform your sketch series.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask staff about areas where sketching is permitted with pencil; many museums allow quiet sketching in certain galleries — request a shortlist of open spaces.
- Check the museum’s membership desk for same-day passes or artist discounts, and to learn about current artist talks or demos.
- Use the museum café or outdoor areas for lunch-and-sketch breaks — good for compositional thumbnailing after seeing the exhibits.
Lunch & sandwich inspiration at Cochon Butcher — charcuterie and local flavors
A working deli and butcher with chef-driven sandwiches — good for color studies and materials-driven textures (meats, bread, condiments).
Tips from local experts:
- Order at the counter and grab a corner table — watch food prep for compositional inspiration and quick still-life sketches.
- Save a scrap of butcher paper (politely) to test palette ideas and dab pigments — the paper’s warm tone is useful for mid-tones.
- If you want a quieter sketching spot, ask for a seat away from the line; the lunch rush can be lively but productive for gesture drawing.
Woldenberg Park — extended riverfront plein-air session
Long mid-afternoon sketching session on the riverwalk with room for larger canvases and skyline studies; good vantage for steamboats, ferries and bridge light.
Tips from local experts:
- Plan to work until late afternoon for November’s early golden hour (around 16:30–17:00); bring a windbreak for cooler river breezes.
- There are picnic tables and lawns for setting up an easel; secure loose sheets with clips — river wind can be brisk.
- If you need restroom access or a quick refill, the nearby Riverwalk area has amenities; map these before settling in so you don’t lose a strong light window.
Evening set at d.b.a. New Orleans — raw jazz and listening room energy
A well-loved Frenchmen Street club showcasing local improvisers — a great place to study musicians in motion and capture musical gesture.
Tips from local experts:
- Grab a seat near the stage early if you plan to sketch musicians at close range; the venue is compact and good for life-drawing of performers.
- Bring ear protection and a small light for detailed work — sound is loud but the intimacy helps with quick rhythmic studies.
- Take short breaks between sets to make color notes for nocturnal palette choices influenced by stage lights.
Day 3
Marigny & Bywater: mural walks, a cultural museum visit, salvage-material treasure hunting, a skyline ferry ride at golden hour and a final market dinner to round out supplies and sketches.
St. Claude Avenue & Marigny mural walk — street-art sketching
Guided self-walk through the Marigny and St. Claude corridor to find large murals, vintage signage and textured facades ideal for bold studies and mixed-media reference.
Tips from local experts:
- Map about 4–6 murals in advance and leave room to pause — some murals are on working properties, so be respectful and avoid blocking doorways.
- Bring a small roll of masking tape and a foldable stool — street curbs and utility trunks provide surfaces for quick compositions.
- Mid-morning in November is pleasantly cool — use this time for longer observational pieces before the midday light flattens textures.
Backstreet Cultural Museum — visual culture, parade regalia and costume study
Small, focused museum devoted to African American New Orleans traditions — rich in color, textile and form references for costume and pattern study.
Tips from local experts:
- This museum is intimate and often curated by locals — ask staff for context on specific regalia pieces to deepen narrative sketches.
- Sketch small artifacts with pencil first; the museum’s scale rewards close, annotated studies rather than large canvases.
- Respect exhibit rules and ask before sketching delicate textile surfaces up close; sometimes staff will suggest less fragile items to study.
Lunch at Elizabeth's — neighborhood brunch flavors and decor studies
Down-to-earth Bywater institution ideal for energizing mid-day sketches and observing eclectic decor and local patrons.
Tips from local experts:
- Try to sit by the window or in a corner booth to observe interiors and natural light for still-life and portrait sketches.
- Look at textures — reclaimed wood, tiled counters and plate presentations make good quick studies for mixed-media textures.
- Expect a line on weekends; arrive just before noon to avoid the heaviest wait and preserve afternoon sketch time.
Material hunt at The Green Project — salvage, found objects & mixed-media inspiration
A creative goldmine for artists seeking reclaimed wood, hardware, tiles and unexpected bits for assemblage and collage work.
Tips from local experts:
- Allow extra time to browse — the best finds are often hidden in less-organized sections; bring gloves for handling rough items.
- Staff can suggest off-site drop-off times for large pieces — ask about delivery options if you find heavy salvage.
- Collect small fragments (nails, tiles, trims) in a zipper pouch for instant collage tests back in your sketchbook or studio.
Algiers Ferry ride and golden-hour skyline sketching
Short ferry crossing to Algiers Point for an expansive, painterly view of the French Quarter across the river — an ideal golden-hour end to plein-air sessions.
Tips from local experts:
- Check the ferry schedule in advance — November sunset is early (around 17:00–17:30), so plan your boarding to catch the last light.
- Bring a compact easel or two-panel setup; the ferry platform offers an elevated, steady vantage for skyline silhouettes.
- Pack a warm layer — river crossings are cooler and breezy in autumn; scarves double as canvas covers while you sketch.
Evening market dinner & wrap-up at St. Roch Market — local bites and supply finalizing
A casual food hall with varied vendors — good for debriefing, final supply buys and sharing sketches over dinner in a communal setting.
Tips from local experts:
- Use the variety of vendors to experiment with small plates for quick still-life color tests and compositional studies.
- If you bought salvage pieces earlier, this is a good place to lay out small finds and photograph them for later studio reference.
- Talk to vendor staff about local ingredient textures and traditional preparations — culinary textures often inspire new visual mark-making.
