Poll: Do You Ever Sketch in Public?
Tuesday May 23, 2006
We know that we ought to sketch regularly and that places such as coffee shops, doctor's waiting rooms,
airports, city squares, and parks provide ready subjects. But it can be intimidating to work where people will see
what you're doing or get annoyed at being sketched (because, let's face it, when you're sketching someone
you do look at them more than you would usually). So let's find out what the situation is... Vote in this poll by simply clicking on your choice in the list, or add a comment by clicking on the link at the bottom:1. Yes, I sketch anywhere and everywhere
2. Yes, but only somewhere I won't be noticed
3. Sometimes
4. No, I'm far too intimidated to sketch in public
5. No, I had a bad experience once so stopped
6. I've thought about it but haven't yet
7. I don't sketch
8. Something else
(View the results of this poll so far...)
More Painting Polls...
Photo: © Moriza--Toi, Moi & Café: Sketchbook Two
Comments
I find it a bit intimidating to do sketch work in public. Also, I can’t sketch quickly which adds to the internal pressure. How does one get around the internal stressed to relax enough for sketching work? Some of our best work will come from things we’ve sketched.
Do I ever sketch in Public? I would like to make myself invisible first! I don’t sketch enough anywhere but seriously I have to overcome my defects and go for it. I feel slightly more comfortable in a field behind a hedge or under a tree somewhere.
For me today patience and tolerance pride and fear are my stumbling blocks. Nevertheless, I can change. Love of art with proper confidence in technique should win in the end.
I admire those who can draw in public, as I know it is specially rewarding. I would appreciate any help on matters of self-confidence and technique about this subject.
Best regards to all
Peter
I once sketched wally Coleman the BLUES Harp player in a Cafe on a paper tablecloth. A man was so fascinated with what I was doing, that I initialed it and gave it to him. He had Coleman sign it, but I wouldn’t tell the guy my surname! haw haw
I am a Plein Air painter and often paint and sketch in public and at “Paint Outs”. Several times sales were made because I was painting something that meant something to someone.
I have recently begun painting in public and although I was totally embarrassed and intimidated at first, I now become so immersed in what I’m doing that I hardly notice when people stop and watch me. I actually just wrote about this very thing in my blog if you’d care to visit the link…
Now that I’ve begun painting in plein air, I’m hooked. However, sketching something in a doctor’s office is probably something that I wouldn’t do.
I’ve sketched in public for many years without ever having a problem – if you don’t count when it starts to rain!
Quite the contrary, one of my favourite places to sketch are in cafes and restaurants – and invariably I find I get excellent service as all the waiters want to see what I’m doing and whether or not they are in the sketch!
Thanks to Marion for doing this survey – it’s fascinating to study the result. I’ve crunched the numbers coming through in terms of survey responses as at the end of May and you can find a summary analysis here http://makingamark.blogspot.com/2006/05/do-you-ever-sketch-in-public.html
I’ve found that some people become self-conscious once they’re aware that you’re looking at them, but then I simply move onto something or someone new.
Thanks for all comments. I have accepted the main problem – me. I think I have the technique all right but I need to deal with the barriers to progress like procrastinating and worrying unduly. Not enough practise if any. For me sketching in public is going to be a love hate challenge for some time to come.
However, I have just done some circuit training work in the gym for the first time (it was offered free) and feel more relaxed but sharper. I have to watch out for complacency. To do art I need to be reasonably fit I think. I am sure that correct posture when sketching is very important also. Anyway I feel motivated knowing that I am not on my own and with good company.
Thanks again to all and keep practising.
Peter
I’ve been keeping sketchbooks for almost twenty years now and have accumulated over fifty of them. My habit is to stop drawing someone if they know I’m drawing them. It’s easy enough to find another “unknowing” subject. You can find the results of some of my efforts at my drawing blog: FREEHAND