Gearing up for #OneWeek100People2017
Posted: March 3, 2017 Filed under: Uncategorized 30 CommentsIf you follow sketchers on social media, you’ve probably already heard a lot of buzz about the worldwide drawing event that will be on next week. Started by Marc Taro Holmes and Liz Steel, it’s called One Week 100 People, and the goal is to draw 100 people in one week (March 6-10), as well as share your drawings using the hashtag #OneWeek100People2017. I loved the idea of the challenge as soon as I heard about it, and I can always use some practice drawing figures.
If you decide to participate, it’s probably a good idea to figure out what you want to accomplish at the end of this. I wasn’t sure what my personal goal would be, so I set out today to figure out what materials I would use. If I intend to draw 20 people per day, I need a fast technique to achieve this, materials that I can carry with me at all time, and of course a commitment to follow through.
I am lucky to have plenty of models available at school, so on my break I sat myself down in the cafeteria to see how quickly I could get this done. My aim is to complete these watercolour sketches with no preliminary pencil drawing, just a small travel brush and some Payne’s grey watercolour. I drew the first two figures in a small Stillman & Birn Beta sketchbook (3.5″ x 5.5″), spending just a few minutes on each. I think working small is key, at least for me.
The first two sketches came out ok, so I turned the page. The next ones were pretty awful, but the goal for this is to just keep going and see what happens.
The third practice spread was less messy, which led me to think that I may just keep it to one figure per page. If the person walks away — and that will happen often — I can just continue with someone else in the same position. Or leave it unfinished.
The last two figures took me a little longer and ended up overworked. I prefer the simplicity of the simpler lines and shapes. That’s what I will be striving for.
So what’s the hope when all this is done? I would love to develop an ability to draw simple figures with a brush. Figures with some personality, drawn with an elegant line and thoughtful shapes. Will you be participating? What’s your goal? I’ll be posting on Instagram all week using the hashtag #OneWeek100People2017, and I hope to see your work there too.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
That’s a great initiative Shari and thanks for sharing the drawing process – I think the goal of getting the simplicity happening is really fantastic.
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Thanks Chas. I hope lots of people participate. I’m looking forward to seeing the results.
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I’ll have a go. Might not get to 100 though!
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I love love love these, Shari.
Susan
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Thanks Susan. I hope to improve as the week goes on. I’m really looking forward to it.
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Lovely drawings – but 20 a day? ouch!
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I know. It does seem like an onerous task but I’m up for the challenge. I do have long breaks at school so that is when I hope to accomplish this. We’ll see what happens.
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Great practice! I like your idea of going straight in with watercolor and a minimum of lines. I am hoping to participate even though I know that I will have limited time on Monday. Looking forward to seeing the sketches everyone does.
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Do a few on Sunday instead Joan. I don’t think it matters when you do them. Just post them during the week.
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so glad you are joining – its going to be so much fun and super inspiring to see how everyone approaches the crazy goal. These are great!
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Liz, this was a great initiative. I am so looking forward to seeing what everyone does too.
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Holy smokes. What a great challenge. Have fun with this! So far so good! (since when are there only 5 days in a week? 😉
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Good question about the 5 days. I guess after drawing all of those we will need two days of reflection. Are yo going to try? You will certainly have to come into Montreal if you want to take part. I don’t think there are 100 people where you live. Unless you draw the same person many times…
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I’m in! No goal except to reach 100 and have fun! 🙂
Tina
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good goal Tina!
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Very interesting…
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I hope you do some people sketching Mark.
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I’m in and I’m just now doing a few quick practise runs to see if it is achievable for me. My goal is to do 100 and hopefully learn what works and what doesn’t 😊
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Good goal Ros. I look forward to seeing what you post!
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Wasn’t going to do this but started sketching people this morning and realized I had almost 16 done without thinking and enjoying it. (still with only o ne good eye) And as I have that same small Stillman and Birn sketchbook unused–should be just the thing. Won’t post them as I have to admit I don’t know how.
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That’s great Judy! Even with only one good eye. I think the idea is to just keep doing it, like you did, and not worry too much about it. As for posting, you just need to upload to Instagram or Facebook. Not sure if you are on either of those but I think that is where the majority of sketches will be found.
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Nice studies Shari- drawing people is not a big interest for me, but I should try to give it a try! so perhaps I’ll try for 10 a day and see; I’ve done some on my iPad in Procreate and it was fun 🙂
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Give it a try and see what happens. I’m sure others will be working on iPads.
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Very cool! Tim
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Thanks Tim!
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I just heard about this so not a lot of time to prepare but I’m excited for the challenge. I think my goal will be just to actually hit the 100 mark.
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I think that will generally be my goal too Nicola. We’ll see how both of us do.
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I like your images! I wish I could draw/paint like this but I suck really bad! I can’t “sketch” at all – well, I can, but the results are horrible! I’m gonna take part in the challenge but my goal is just to draw 100 people in 5 or 7 days and improve my skill ’cause I need the practise. I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone does!
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I’m really glad to hear that you’re going to participate. And of course we are curious to see if any of us get any better. My only change of plans from this post is that I will be using a pointier brush for the fine line. The one I was using just wasn’t very sharp. Good luck!
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I’m so tempted to join in…I need to work on my figures and already had plans to do some figure work this week. Hmmm
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