I thought it might be my last free morning in Rome so I went to Sant’Ivo to try another sketch. Can’t improve without practice.

I can’t recall if I have posted a photo of the Piazza di Monte Citorio with the Obelisk of Montecitorio. It is one of the Egyptian obelisks taken by Augustus and brought to Rome. Some of the obelisks in Rome are ancient Roman copies. This one sits in front of the Palazzo where the lower house of the Italian parliament meets. It is the street I walk along the most to get to school but once I was made to detour because there was something involving international dignitaries going on in the building. I’ve forgotten the details.

An art class must have been meeting at Sant’Ivo because a lot of young people were sketching. Later an older woman was explaining the history and significance of the building.

The doors to the stairs to go to the loggia are now closed with a sign saying only users of the study rooms can enter. Oh well, at least I went up there once.

I’m finding the sketchbook I’m using is not very good for doing two page spreads. Most of the pages meet with large gutters—the gap between the two pages along the spine. Often there is glue that makes drawing on the area difficult.

I decided to do two separate sketches instead of one continuous page.

The view in clearer focus.

I think my proportions are improving.

I made it through class with some water and cough drops which kept coughing at bay. I’m not sure I had a cold since my recovery has been awfully quick after feeling sicker than the usual cold.

I was getting tired of chicken soup after three days so bought a pizza portavia (take away) from the restauant across from my apartment. It would not be as good as a specialty pizzeria but it would definitely be the hottest when I got home.

Sadly it had dried basil instead of fresh, which I think does not make it a margherita; but the crust was decent.

Being sick has resulted in more food and even wine in the apartment than I can finish before I need to pack up and leave.