Art Library Men

Day 99/365

Learning to sketch people from life continues to be a challenge.

As is the act of drawing in public.

There is a kind of pressure that comes from drawing in public.

However hard I try to be surupticious, there is often a moment when someone spots you drawing.

And then they wish to see the drawing and then their confusion when they see it is not ‘good’.

Delight fades away. They don't know what to say.

But what their face clearly says is

‘Why are you (ie me) drawing in public when, clearly, you are not good?’.

It's so awkward.

I want to say ‘Look, I know! Ok! But the only way of having a hope of getting good, is to keep drawing from life. Which sadly means in public. So, if you don't mind, may I please be left in peace, to melt your face and the faces of your friends and family with my unsteady pen?’

Oh dear.

Thankfully the three men pictured didn't see me sketching them just now.

Small mercies, gratefully received.

And that's the news.