People, people, people

I was planning to stop the quick people sketches now it is August (it was my July challenge to do a figure drawing a day) ...but this happened this morning ...

I'm not quite certain what the August challenge will be yet. Back to more detailed drawing but I'm torn about the subject matter. Maybe just back to the original 'directly observed drawing a day' so it could cover anything I see that day (and saves big decision making). I may also keep the people sketchbook by the window!

Drawing at the Good Life Experience

I'm slowly getting braver at drawing in public. This weekend was the perfect type of set up for this, relaxed crowds, places to sit and sketch, out of the way or sitting in a talk, in lovely company at The Good Life Experience. 

The picture on the left was done quickly of another member of the large crowd that were listening to Ben Fogle talk. On the right I had to draw Charlie Gladstone (one of the founders of the Good Life Experience) super quickly as he introduced Tristan Gooley and his talk on Natural Navigation as he was only there for a matter of seconds. I rushed to paint Tristan and so the ink ran a bit but learnt my lesson and managed to let the ink dry before painting next time...

It then seemed only right that I should try and draw Jennie Maizels as she did her talk about sketching and her sketchbook club.

Such a fun weekend.

Phone sketch

It very rarely happens but I recently found myself out and about without my sketchbook! A band were playing and I wanted to sketch them and so had a go at drawing on my phone. They were done very quickly but I quite liked the effect and decided it wasn't a bad backup should I find myself sans-sketchbook again.

Ladies that lunch

My Mum and I went out for lunch this week. It was such fun. Particularly as it was a very late lunch (3.30 - 4.30!). We managed to indulge in a good quantity of people watching from our window seat and I managed to do my drawing for the day in the gap between ordering or meal and our food arriving. 

Robert Clive or Clive of India as he is known, in 'The Square' in Shrewsbury. 

I had a play with photoshop to see how Bob would look if it were a very sunny day... he doesn't look terribly impressed. Perhaps I shouldn't have called him Bob. 

We even managed to have a very successful shop following our ladies lunch! - perhaps the secret to successful shopping is a good lunch beforehand and only an hour time limit...

People watching...

... is one of my favourite things!

I like to watch how people walk - slowly, purposefully, scuttling, urgently, thoughtfully, happily, sadly, excitedly, routinely... on their own or with friends, relations, loved ones

I like to see what they are wearing - is it related to the weather, where they are going, or coming from... school, work, dog walk...

I like to wonder where it is they are going to and what is on the agenda for today... briefcase, instrument case, handbag...

I've recently re-discovered speedy people sketches. On a small stretch of pavement that I can see I've been trying to capture those that go by in the short amount of time they are there for. The pavement is only about 30 metres long, and so it is under a minute that it takes people to cover it - coming into and going out of view.