SKETCHES: DRAWING ON THE MOVE
AUGUST 12th, 2022
At the beginning of this trip, I was writing a thank-you letter to a family friend and my wrist began to ache – my hand got physically stiff from just the act of physically writing. It was a symptom of relying a little too heavily on my laptop and iPad. It had been ages since I actually opened up a sketchbook and scribbled. When I did, I caught myself actually trying to double-tap my paper to undo a pencil stroke. THAT was another sign I had to peel myself away from the screen.
As I’ve settled in and gotten into a groove here in Glasgow, I’ve made a conscious effort to lessen my screen-time when it comes to art. I’ve gotten better at leaving the iPad or Laptop behind as I explore more of the city.
Here are the results of this week’s sketchbook studies:
All these were drawn on location. City Centre in the heart of Glasgow is a great place to peep architecture and crowds.
URBAN SKETCHING
I’m trying to hone in on this tricky practice. The architecture here is beautiful and I want to get better at capturing that. I’ve always struggled with foliage as well. I’m trying to adhere to this one rule: The setting has to be in-person. I can’t take a picture of the location and copy it later. I have to focus on the here and now. I’m trying my best not to care about the end result; which is hard because putting a few hours into anything warrants some kind of reward for your efforts, right? Wrong. Not with sketching. not with art.
PEOPLE SKETCHING
When I get frustrated at my wonky buildings, I like to focus on people. Capturing movement and expression is one of my favorite things to draw. People are so diverse, yet follow the same patterns all at once. I have a habit of just drawing the face. On this trip, I’m trying to capture the whole figure and be more expressive with the subject’s hands. Hands can be just as, if not more, expressive than the face.
See other examples of my people sketching HERE
Glasgow City Chambers, George Square
Alexandra Park, Dennistoun
People sketching in City Centre, Buchanan Street
Scribble barfs. No rhyme or reason just put shit on paper.
MATERIALS: WHAT I’M USING
SKETCHBOOKS
I only have so much room in my luggage, and I’m a notoriously light packer – a skilled I refined traveling India 5 years ago. What I pack for drawing is minimal. I made an exception with my GIANT Moleskin sketchbook. It measures 12“ x 16.5” (30cm x 42cm) and has to be packed in my checked bag. I don’t carry that around while day tripping, but since I have a room and a desk to myself, figured it’d be good to have.
I have 4 other sketchbooks that vary in size. A few weeks ago I found a nice TRANSIT BOOK at a local print shop; It’s a binded notepad originally intended to jot down train or bus schedules. I’ll be practicing drawing buildings out of it.
You don’t need to buy expensive sketchbooks – In fact I prefer cheap ones (as long as the paper quality is decent) so I’m not inclined to keep them pristine. If I treat it with reverence then I never end up making a mark in it.
So beat the shit out of your sketchbooks.
PENS & INK
I use a lot of Micron Pens in my work. I’m very impatient and I like drawing fast. I keep some Sharpies handy too but i hate how they bleed through the paper. I like the fine tips: 0.05 and 0.2 are the best for fine detail and 0.8 I only use for shading. For heavy duty inking I use a Japanese Brush pen. It’s also nice for varying line width. Downside to brush pens: can get real messy if you don’t let the ink dry and I’ve had one explode in my bag before. I use pencils sparingly because I like to fuck up with pens so I get faster at noting my mistakes. When I do use lead, I use a mechanical pencil with HB 0.5mm lead.
COLOR
I’m trying to work on my patience a bit and brought along a portable set of Winsor & Newton Watercolors. I’m getting better at mixing paint, something I haven’t done since college, and it’s trying my patience but I am enjoying the learning curve. Watercolor can be cruel and unforgiving if used hastily so it’s making me slow down and really focus.
I also have a small variety of Copic markers. The colors are limited on what I brought because they’re fat and take up room. They satisfy that quick color fix watercolor can’t provide.
MISC.
A kneaded eraser is the only kind of eraser I use - doesn’t leave shavings and since it’s like clay, can absorb more lead and lasts longer. A pencil sharpener, a small 12 inch ruler and white paint marker come in handy too.
SO, that conclude’s this week’s Ramblings. Happy to say my hand doesn’t ache anymore writing, so endurance and muscle memory is coming back. I hope to do A LOT more drawing down the road. I’ll also be digging into my Sci-Fi passion project more!
