Sketching people in public has its drawbacks. People are always on the way to somewhere else. And sometimes I get tired of sketching folks sitting in chairs.But now and then I am lucky.
Sometimes I find people that are waiting.
Like the man on the right. He was one of a large group that was standing because there were not enough seats to go around. I had to sketch fast because I had no idea how long I had - either he or I would be called away soon. I was called first, but just as I finished the sketch.
And like the man on the left. His stance was different than that of the average chair-bound restaurant patron. There was an air of expectation about him. Another fun sketch.
And I? I am waiting for people that are waiting. And if, after waiting, I discover waiting for me, the waiting person, then it's been worth the wait. Don't you think?
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Wait!! So you waited for someone who was waiting for you?.. Hmmm, I have to read that again... But the sketches are great and Im glad you didnt wait too long to post these : )
ReplyDeleteI like how you handled all of these...they are definitely waiting. I like to sketch in Doctor offices (well, I don't LIKE to be in waiting room at all...but why not take advantage of all the "models" there?) You are correct, of course, that they are always sitting. Do you take your color with you or add it later? Great job--I think it is splendid that I get to spend some time with these people!
ReplyDeleteDan, I always love the details in your work. Your use of line is wonderful. And the lines on the stool are so straight! The color looks fabulous. Well done!
ReplyDeleteHi Dan, The expression of the gentleman on the right is wonderful. It looks like you achieved the drawing with a minimal number of lines. Both drawings are excellent. I read your waiting statement a couple of times for full effect; funny! I had the same question Celeste asked, do you take paint with you or add later?
ReplyDeleteI get frustrated with drawing in public places cuz I never seem to get done! Your sketches are great.
ReplyDeleteYes, you've done it again, by Jove! These are interesting, well done, and of course the narrative fun .... also delightfully confusing! lol nancy
ReplyDeleteYou can tell something about the man on the left just by how he holds his shoulders and back, excellent job capturing it.
ReplyDeleteAll good things come to those who wait!
I'm waiting for clarity on that last point, but until that happens I'll just say - I love these waiting guys. Great capture of their intentions.
ReplyDeleteYou're so clever! I'm always waiting for your next post :-) When I was an art student in college I took figure drawing. We started with 1 minute full-body sketches and did tons of them. I learned that rendering the gesture was more important than the details. But, as we students became proficient with quick drawing, we soon found that we could get a lot of details in just under two minutes. However, as you point out, most people don't stay still that long. Therefore, I resort to just staring at them as long as I can - remembering - and sketching what I remembered. Of course, now and then people get offended that I'm staring at them. Keep going ...
ReplyDeleteThey certainly look like they're waiting - the chap standing, with his chin slightly jutting forward, hands in pockets, looking up to see if he'll be called next - only you were!
ReplyDeleteI agree-worth the wait. You may be the first person I almost know who likes the wait. Nice drawings.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you see the drawing in things that are all around us that some of us miss (me). You are a get noticer! And as usual you entertain us with your words as well. Great work, Dan!
ReplyDeleteDo the drawees ever threaten you with bodily harm, and where do you go to wait then?
ReplyDeleteNice work Dan... I love your gentlemen in waiting... and I thought only ladies waited... bad joke... but the best I could do this late LOL
ReplyDeleteThese are really well done, Dan. I agree with everyone else's observations but would like to add that I love how the arm of the one on the right is just suggested. The position of the shoulder, the shoulder seam of the coat, and the pocket all tell the rest of the story of the arm. Subtle and sweet.
ReplyDelete-Don
What nice sketches! I really like the combination of ink and watercolor washes.
ReplyDeleteNice sketches Dan! And that's a good question, kinda like in the movie Little Fockers.... "I am watching you watching me" ^^
ReplyDeleteBut the way I look at it, the wait is definitely worthwhile!
Love these sketches. Is that a floating head I see? Maybe not.
ReplyDeleteWell worth the wait. Love the attitude of the man on the right- great capture.
ReplyDeletei really like your line work and colors!
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much - you are always so supportive!
ReplyDeleteCeleste and Peggy - I virtually never paint when I have the subject in front of me, mostly because I never have time to do so. I also make a very big deal out of painting. Whereas some watercolorists lay down their washes and are done with it, I play with color mixing a lot wet into wet, and wet into dry, etc. - I play with it a lot. This makes each painting quite time consuming despite the small size. It takes time for me to be satisfied with the result. Thanks for asking.
Kathy - I am greatly complimented that you wait for me to post! Thanks for reminding me about the quick sketch. I started those exercises on my own (no class), but stopped. I should start again.
And Donna - Why yes, now that you mention it, that is a floating head!
well, you're already one ahead of me!! These are great! Wonderful job of capturing the gestures of both these men! The guy on the stool has such great posture; he looks confident! The man on the right, well, his facial expression looks very familiar to faces of people waiting. Expectant?
ReplyDeleteI would have to draw much of each day till I die to come close to good expressive quick sketches--I really don't know if can handle that task---but plan to try and see if it just angers me or I find it fun---thus it would be something I was born to do..this is what they call a slippery slope in my mind...as I usually don't find other people respond encouragingly to what I do that isn't more of a finished work--and thier part in the whole process is what it is---PART of it...
ReplyDeleteGreat work - the postures are perfect, your lines are very expressive. The people you draw, do they see you watching/drawing them?
ReplyDeleteThanks all.
ReplyDeleteWinna, I know what you mean - if I didn't find it fun and get a positive response, I wouldn't do it. And I want to do less sketchy works and more finished work. Funny, isn't it?
KW, usually the people I draw do not see me because I choose strategic angles, or people involved in conversation, etc. (It helps that often a 3/4 view is more interesting to draw). If someone is too alert to everything around I won't choose him or her. That said, I think the guy on the right saw what I was doing. (Just a feeling). But he had other things on his mind. And I was done and out of there fast.
Another thing that I do: I look for "default" positions - people move, so I see what position they seem to come back to. I look at them, try to remember, and look down whenever they look up.
The great advantage: Everyone assumes you are up to your own business and it couldn't possibly have anything to do with them.
When I am done, I will walk right passed them as if they were the most unimportant thing in my world even though, a moment before, the opposite was true.
So many comments that I almost waited with posting but I had such a good time perusing your blog that I just had to let you know.Very much like 2nfro too.
ReplyDeleteFantastic sketches! I so admire your skill at sketching people, capturing mood so well, and in public no less!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your sketches and your kit. I usually carry more than I use also. I like seeing what other people find useful. Hoping to get it down to a small case someday.
ReplyDeleteAloha, Kate