Monday, March 24, 2008

Faces in the crowd









I feel I've had a bit of a breakthrough this weekend. After spending a long time fretting about drawing people and drawing in public, I forced myself to carry around a small A6 sketchbook and a 2B pencil all the time with me this weekend while we were in London. I didn't care about what the 'finished' pieces looked like, I was just going to draw people, on the tube, in the restaurant, in the cafe, every chance I got.

And above is most of what I did - they were all done in just a few minutes and more importantly, without fear ... hooray! I actually really enjoyed doing the portraits, but my best one has to be the 'alcohol casualty' at the bottom; and even more the three girls that kept looking over my shoulder
and giggling uncontrollably while I drew him ;)

11 comments:

Adele said...

How fun! I can imagine that drawing in public is terrifying. Everyone can see what you're doing,and what if people don't want you to sketch them? Well done for doing it! Sorry I missed saying Happy Birthday. My internet connection was down for what felt like years. I absolutely love the idea of a Birthday Portrait Party! Hope you had a good birthday.

Carole said...

These are great! Well done for finding the courage. I feel so self-conscious drawing in public - let alone drawing people. These are really interesting drawings. I think the woman eating noodles is my favourite!

Lindsay said...

These are wonderful. I'm so happy to see them because they are so you!

caseytoussaint said...

Nice work, Mithi! I've got to start doing more drawing people in public, too. I find that when I slack off, my life drawing skills go down too.
These came out great.

Skully said...

Great sketches. Number 2 is my favourite.

Skully said...

Sorry that my attempts to distract myself yesterday, by looking through everyone's blogs, led you back to my self centred stupid rant. I'm feeling more sensible and rational today.

Jon and I do have a grand plan to get a boat to live on in Bristol. It's just right now the organising to sell a house, find another property to buy and then rent out in Bristol and a boat is a little beyond my energy levels at the moment.

We will make it in the end.... somehow!

Alison said...

Yes, well done - these look very true to life. I like the top , sleeping, guy - shows his weariness, I think.

Anonymous said...

Wow! These are absolutely terrific. There is something so neat about the shared experience of drawing someone sleeping (or passed out in this case) with an onlooker being in on it. I drew a guy sleeping facing me on the subway with our knees practically touching while the guy sitting next to me watched. When my subject woke up and got off, my neighbor and I giggled at our secret.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

great great great great great.

i have exactly the same fear about 1, drawing people and 2, drawing in public. i guess you just have to take that leap, huh?

Lor Lor said...

I just love these drawings, I wish I could capture these unguarded moments.

christine said...

this reminds me of a portrait that i drew of a friend several years ago. she posed for me two times but i couldn't get her likeness. when i asked her to sit still for ONE MORE DRAWING, she refused. she flipped out and started shaking her head, making faces, and throwing her hair around. i drew THAT as fast as i could and SOMEHOW that drawing actually looked just like her. it's always a relief when we stop worrying about drawing and just draw.

- rama hughes via christine's computer.