sketching from life

'Reflection self portrait' and 'Thinking man on tube'

 One of my more annoying habits is drawing strangers. On the tube is the best time for capturing a 2 minute pose. I was in London over the weekend, never without my sketchbook, ready to whip out on a boring train journey.

'Little girl on tube'

The challenge is always to get the figure down before they realise what I'm doing. You see, tube etiquette entails everyone must sit/stand quietly, look at the floor or shoes only and avoid eye contact at all times. I break this. It's just how I roll. Taking all the stares, discreet concern and frowning in my stride.

'Old man'

These are a few examples from Saturday's outing and previous drawing days.

I find sketching people in a train station or on the bus can be great fun. You never know how long you will be granted that pose, the race is on! This can create quite energetic work with minimal line.

I love to draw the figure. Everyone is so different, yet made up of all the same junk. I've had to really learn to draw what I see, and not just what I think I should see.

'Sit ups'