There and back
Posted: July 26, 2023 Filed under: Uncategorized 14 CommentsI love drawing people in airports. Mostly they sit still for long periods of time as they wait for their flights, so they are easy targets. Airports are also a good place to observe what people do while waiting. The majority are on their phones. A few still read good old-fashioned books. And if a patient sketcher gets lucky, they may even find someone who is curled up, asleep, on a bench or the floor.
Even if I have checked bags, my art tools are with me on the plane. I don’t want to lose expensive brushes or my favourite palettes, so they are always in my carry-on bag. If they are small enough, my sketchbooks are with me too. I have no excuses for not being able to draw while I wait for my flight.
I love sketching people using the simplest of tools — a good old pencil and a sketchbook with some smooth paper. When I went back and forth to Regina last week, I used a Strathmore Mixed Media book with vellum paper. I love how the pencil glides over the surface.
The more you practice, the looser the line will be. Here are a few tips for people drawing:
- If you are self-conscious, start with people who are seated far away because it’s less likely they will see you observing them.
- Don’t worry if you draw a line you are not happy with. Just keep going. I don’t erase.
- What is the first line I make? I usually start with the curve of the shoulders. That makes it easier to get the head in the right spot and at the right angle.
- As you feel more confident, draw people standing in line. Eventually they will move, but this forces you to get the gesture down quickly.
- Figure out your weak points and work on making them better. For me, it’s getting the ears in the right place when I am drawing a profile. They are always too far forward.
These drawings are “THE BEST.” I especially like the guy with the backpack…Regina Airport…..sooo nice! Keeping a log or sketchbook of these figures can make it easier to incorporate in an upcoming painting. Excellent!
Thanks Bernadette. I agree with you about the guy with the backpack. He was the most successful of the bunch, probably because I had loosened up by then.
Thanks for the sketching suggestions. Ten plus years ago when I did a LOT of air traveling I enjoyed trying to hone my sketching skills while spending so much wait time in the terminals and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks for having a look, De!
Nice drawing Shari! Did you use a wooden pencil? Doesn’t look like the lines from a mechanical pencil which I know you like to use. Thanks for posting!
Hi Jason,
I used my good old Muji mechanical pencil. It has a fairly soft B lead in it so it might look like a wooden pencil but it’s not. Thanks for asking.
Good tips Shari! Thanks!
Thanks Lori. We may do some people sketching in France!
Thank you for your tips! Great drawings.
Thanks!!
Very good comments Shari and worthwhile tips for drawing people.
I enjoy your posts very much and learn a lot
Ralph, thanks so much. It’s nice to hear that!
Very good comments Shari and worthwhile tips for drawing people.
I enjoy your posts very much and learn a lot
Love your suggestions about drawing people in airports. I’m pretty shy about doing this and your tips will help. Thank you!