Okay, so the title of this post is not an accident. Apparently this lighthouse actually was a guiding light—on the soap opera of the same name, that is. But I’ll have to take Wikipedia’s word for that one, because vintage soap operas aren’t really my cup of tea.
Vintage lighthouses, on the other hand, are exactly my cup of tea.
And when I found out I was standing inside the oldest working beacon in America? Well, I paid extra close attention.
Sandy Hook Light celebrated its 250th anniversary this weekend. I couldn’t be there for the festivities, but the Tailor and I spent a day at Sandy Hook a few years ago, and I did these sketches then. It was a flawless summer day—not the kind of weather you need a lighthouse for, but certainly the conditions that would show off its best features.
Ghost domes 
Forgotten canyon 
Twists and turns 
Hey Chandler!
Funny thing..I looked at the image through the window and thought to myself, didn’t I just print (this morning!) a couple photos of those same buildings? Not exactly the same, but they were the old houses at Fort Hancock in Sandy Hook. I took the photos on this last Christmas Day. Great trees in winter.
Howdy, Leslie! Yeah, I love the buildings there—as well as the ones at so many old military installations. Like up at Port Townsend, or Fort Vancouver. The old officer’s houses are so beautiful!
OK Chandler I must ask. What type of pen do you draw with, which style of nib and what ink?
Hi, Chris! You can find a pretty detailed description of my process (along with a sketch of my materials!) on my About page: http://drawntheroadagain.com/about/
OK greeat….you only use the FABER-Castell pitts? No nib pens?
No nib pens, no. I use liquid ink in my studio/commissioned work (though with a brush, not a nib), but not when I travel. It’s just way too messy for me, and there’s too much risk of spilling black ink everywhere. I figure there’s already enough to juggle under sometimes less-than-ideal conditions!